Travelling solo is the best route to self-realisation and what Ishu Datwani learnt is that he’s not too comfortable with solitary travel, unless it’s the Alps.
Travelling solo is the best route to self-realisation and what Ishu Datwani learnt is that he’s not too comfortable with solitary travel, unless it’s the Alps. Having visited Austria and the Austrian Alps a number of times, the Anmol Jewellers founder lists it as his favourite country to visit.
A for Austria I have travelled extensively but the place I keep going back to is Austria. I love the wilderness in Austria, the Alps. We have stayed there in small huts by the countryside and just soaked in nature at its very best, breathing in pure oxygen.
A Simpler Time On one of our trips to the Alps, we consciously chose a hut that was completely solar-powered and did not have toilets in the conventional sense. It was an important lesson for us to understand how people lived in earlier times. It was meant to bring us out of our comfort zone since we are so used to the luxuries on the world. I remember one evening when the lights went out completely because the solar powered battery ran out because the sun had not been out that day. But we managed and it was very interesting. What I learnt about myself (during that trip) is that I am capable of adapting myself to circumstances and that I am not somebody who would crib just because I am used to a certain kind of luxury.
Having visited Austria and the Austrian Alps a number of times, the Anmol Jewellers founder lists it as his favourite country to visit.
Solitary Travel
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Whenever I have travelled solo, I’ve usually had company there, either with friends or cousins (at the destination). But my first solo trip to London, where I did the hop-on, hop-off tour by myself, taught me a lot about myself. I was not very comfortable (with solo travelling) and it was a little boring to just be by yourself. I think we Indians are always used to having company. That trip kind of stands out in my memory because I was all alone.
Alone with Nature I have also done a couple of solo flights in America where we went to the Rocky Mountains and I was alone with a group of strangers. What I learnt from solitary travelling is that I am a person who likes company. I am not somebody who would like to travel in solitude. Except in the countryside. I’ve learnt that I look for company in the city but in the countryside, I love to be alone and I love to introspect and learn about myself. When I’m in the Alps, there are a lot of times when I want to be by myself, surrounded by nature and looking inwards.
Words of Wisdom The most important travel lesson I’ve learnt is keep your passport close to your heart. Whatever happens, if anything is stolen, your passport cannot be stolen. Always have a credit card with a decent credit limit so that in case your run short of money, at least the credit card is there. Finally, international Insurance at the place you are going to is very important.
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Most Powerful Passports Of 2019: India Loses Charm; Singapore, Japan Among Travel-Friendly Countries
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The new Henley Passport Index is out, and there has been a major shuffle in the global ranking of the world's passports.
In the beginning of 2019, 27 countries were in the top 10 positions on the index, but this month 4 more countries were added to the list.
Several countries climbed the list to have most powerful passports, while few slipped from their positions, including India.
The ranking is determined on the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa. It is based on the exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association, which maintains the world’s largest and most accurate database of travel information.
Here's a look at all the top ranking passports of this year.
The new Henley Passport Index is out, and there has been a major shuffle in the global ranking of the world's passports.
In the beginning of 2019, 27 countries were in the top 10 positions on the in..
Read More
Japan retained its top spot as the world's most powerful passport in 2019 for the second time in a row .
However, Singapore also shared the top spot with Japan in becoming the world's most travel-friendly passport due to the document's access to 189 countries.
Japan retained its top spot as the world's most powerful passport in 2019 for the second time in a row .
However, Singapore also shared the top spot with Japan in becoming the world's most travel-fr..
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While Finland jumped 2 spots, Germany moved 1 place to share the position with South Korea. These countries offer access to 187 countries.
South Korea had moved 10 places up the rankings since 2009, when it held 12th place with a visa-free/visa-on-arrival score of 144.
While Finland jumped 2 spots, Germany moved 1 place to share the position with South Korea. These countries offer access to 187 countries.
South Korea had moved 10 places up the rankings since 2009,..
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With access to 186 jurisdictions, Denmark and Italy inched up one place to the third rank, and Luxembourg managed to rise from the previous fifth rank.
With access to 186 jurisdictions, Denmark and Italy inched up one place to the third rank, and Luxembourg managed to rise from the previous fifth rank.
Sweden retained its fourth rank from January, with access to 185 nations.
While France dropped one place, Spain climbed to from the fifth position to share the spot with Sweden.
Sweden retained its fourth rank from January, with access to 185 nations.
While France dropped one place, Spain climbed to from the fifth position to share the spot with Sweden.
With permission to 184 nations, Austria, Netherlands, Portugal & Switzerland jumped one spot to share the fifth rank.
With permission to 184 nations, Austria, Netherlands, Portugal & Switzerland jumped one spot to share the fifth rank.
Belgium Canada Greece Ireland climbed one spot to the sixth rank, while Norway, United Kingdom and the United States retained their position with permissions to 183 countries.
Belgium Canada Greece Ireland climbed one spot to the sixth rank, while Norway, United Kingdom and the United States retained their position with permissions to 183 countries.
Malta and Czech Republic inter-switched places. Malta solely ruled at the seventh spot with permission to 182 countries, and Czech Republic moved to eighth position on the powerful passport index with access to 181 destinations.
Malta and Czech Republic inter-switched places. Malta solely ruled at the seventh spot with permission to 182 countries, and Czech Republic moved to eighth position on the powerful passport index wit..
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Australia, Iceland, New Zealand and Lithuania jointly share the 9th position with access to 180 nations.
While Australia, Iceland, New Zealand climbed one place, Lithuania was a new entrant.
Australia, Iceland, New Zealand and Lithuania jointly share the 9th position with access to 180 nations.
While Australia, Iceland, New Zealand climbed one place, Lithuania was a new entrant.
Latvia, Slovenia & Slovakia proudly marched at the 10th spot with access to 179 nations.
Latvia, Slovenia & Slovakia proudly marched at the 10th spot with access to 179 nations.
Friends Reunited I have this very old friend who was in school with me and we had lost touch. Coincidently, we met overseas at one time and we reconnected at this new place. We hung out together and spent a lot of time and reconnected. Post that trip we are back together in regular touch and it is a friendship of a lifetime.
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On My Bucket list Apart from South America, I have been to most of the other places including Russia. I’d love to visit countries like Chile, Brazil, Argentine etc.
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