Take Your Big Trip | Travel Advice, Inspiration, and Stories

For the traveler – novice and experienced – India is a milestone. It’s a word that elicits surprise and a little bit of awe when uttered as a destination. Whether you’re at the phase of getting excited at the idea of traveling to India or have already started budgeting for airfare, this post is for details the “how” piece of planning a trip to India.

Any South India itinerary needs to include this state and stops in Fort Cochin, Alleppey and the Backwaters, and Varkala. Here’s an itinerary I would give a friend who wants to experience a very lush, green, and laidback spot of India.

Alleppey is known as the departing point for the famous Kerala backwater. However, there’s more to the town than an in and out houseboat tour. Spend some time in this South India town with excellent food, dramatic beaches with killer sunsets, and  relaxing oil-filled Ayurvedic massages.

India may seem insurmountable to the US traveler or first time Big Tripper, but the subcontinent is one of the best places to travel and learn more about yourself than any other travel experience.

I was at the farmer’s market this morning and met a very talented photographer (hi! Sarka!) and she mentioned that she was taking her extraordinary photo talents to India in February. Of course I’m jealous of her trip and undoubtedly what will be an amazing experience. I marveled at her striking colorful photographs hung in [...]

Volunteering makes the heart grow larger and fonder and enriches a Big Trip travel experience. In my opinion, I think it should be a part of every Big Trip. There’s everything to gain like helping others, learning about another culture, being invited into witness how things are instead from the viewfinder view of the tourist [...]

This article is about my experience volunteering in Kolkata, India at Mother Teresa Charities and how to do it yourself at Shanti Dan

I saw the flier for the free Reiki class while walking down a narrow road in Varkala. The flier said 11 a.m. on Mondays. It was Sunday and I was thankful that I could take the opportunity to attend this class. My mother and sister both do Reiki and healing with the energy was interesting [...]

“Cooking Class with Khan” advertised in posters all over walls and steps on the cliff walkways. I’d wanted to take a cooking class for South Indian food, which seemed so complex and difficult to make will layers of flavors and five million spices per recipe. I wanted to unveil the mystery and learn how to [...]

The day is languid, hot and sweaty, the humidity dripping off the trees. I spend the morning going to breakfast and walking around. During my walk, I see a sign for an Ayurvedic massage, which are all over the place in Fort Cochin.