As per Outlook India, countless Indian travelers are having a hard time. Because coping with all their International trip cancellations has become a nightmare. Thanks to COVID 19, there is little clarity about refunds. The international travel industry has taken such a major hit that Indian travelers are left with no options. Most of the die-hard travelers feel that they would not be able to take any respite. Especially when we have faced mentally, emotionally demanding lockdown. However, there is some good news for you in terms of local travel in India.

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While International trips will take a backseat for unforeseen time, local travel in India will slowly open up. Quintessentially because it would be safer to travel near your homes. For instance, going to say Switzerland would be prone to more risks. That’s why it would be better to head to weekend getaways near Mumbai and Pune once the lockdown gets less restricted in India.

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At Yuyiii, just as Prime Minister Modi said we have always believed in being vocal for local brands and business of India. And we have done it in our way by featuring hidden gems, choicest luxury homestays, boutique hotels, erstwhile havelis across India. Moreover, having known their patrons and their gutsy entrepreneurship stories, we are sure about the detailed safety, sanitization measures that all of them would be taking to revive local travel in India.

Farm stays, valley stays that are close by nature could be on your mind for that much-needed getaway after lockdown. These stays are near Mumbai and Pune. Hence, you wouldn’t really have to travel far and think about safety, sanitization because you could drive there. Also, because of rampant awareness, all these hidden gems have started putting up standard operating procedures. These will ensure that as a guest you get to maintain social distancing. Their rooms are spacious, regularly sanitized and the staff is regularly monitored for their temperature and conduct.

So, if you are looking for stunning weekend getaways that are marked in the green zone, are safe, sanitized, and maintain social distancing, do visit us! We would be happy to cheer you up with our pristine hidden gems and help you plan that much-needed trip post the lockdown.

Thanks to COVID-19 lockdown, our travel plans just changed in a jiffy. Those romantic plans for a getaway to Europe or going solo to various hidden gems of India have gone for a toss. But, there, there, all hope is not lost yet because we got the good old travel films to rely on!

While there might be that uncertainty about international travel, local tourism in India will rise up like a Phoenix soon. Till then we got something to cheer you up already!

How about you soothing your wanderlust by relaxing on your couch with your loved ones, that tub of popcorn, ice-cream while watching some of the choicest travel films, eh? Sounds like a great plan, no?

So, here are our handpicked recommendations for travel films which you could watch during this lockdown and make it more cheerful! Thank us later if they satiate your wanderlust and makes you fall in love with travel all over again:

Photo Credit: bswise (Flickr)

Directed by Wes Anderson, The Darjeeling Limited takes you through the magnificent western and northern India like a breeze. Moreover, it makes you fall in love with the Indian roads, rail, and people all over again. This film also touches upon brotherhood and it tugs your heart for all the right reasons.

Photo Credit: Colin Edwards

By the stunning backdrop of Kenya and the UK, this film makes you fall in love with Africa and its savannah all over again. It won 7 Oscars and you would know why once you end up watching this film again and again.

Photo Credit: Dean Moriarty (Flickr)

Do you love hitchhiking, hitting the unknown roads, and the wilderness? Well, this flick is just for you then! It portrays this journey of a topper student, an athlete who abandons the material world in the search of the truth. If you thrive on larger than life movies, this one will hit you and soothe you at all the right places in your heart.

Italy and romance – what else do you need while soothing your wanderlust, eh? Under the Tuscan Sun takes you through the journey of a woman and her soul searching quest through Tuscany. Warm chocolate on a cold winter night – yes, this film makes you feel just like that!

Photo Credit: Vimeo

Love New York and Iceland like nothing else? This film is absolutely unmissable then! A story of Walter Mitty and incredible adventures will move you to that thing you always wanted to! This film has motivated countless folks to take the plunge! It will surely inspire you as well.

Photo Credit: Flickr

For deep dialogues, profound statements, and the soul-soothing views of Europe, Austria, Vienna, you absolutely have to watch this trilogy. If slightly offbeat movies are your thing, do watch these films at your earliest.

Picture Credit: Flickr

Tokyo, Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson – what better to pep you up, no? This film shows you the beautiful side of being in a new country. And for all the right reasons, it nudges you to visit Japan whenever it is possible.

Photo Credit: Flickr

Want to watch a wholesome Indian travel film that you can keep going back to? Well, ZNMD it is! For the unmissable views of Spain, hilarious dialogues, soul striking scenes and rediscover life, friendship you must watch this film directed by the Boss Lady Zoya Akhtar.

Believe it or not, Gen Z, Gen Y, and even boomers thrive on the Gram. And it still continues to rule. Although travel will change due to COVID-19, travel Instagrammers will continue to redefine it. Most importantly, as a social media platform, Instagram has provided a voice to many maverick writers, photographers, and die-hard travelers to put their art out there, grow a community.

We are thrilled to share deets about a few incredible Instagrammers today! So, whether you are a die-hard traveler or not, these travel Instagrammers will move your core, pacify your travel woes and make you smile with all the aesthetics on their feeds and stories.

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With their eye for flawless photography, unparalleled content, and passion for travel, there are umpteen travel bloggers/vloggers/sustainable travel influencers who have been soothing our wanderlust. Let’s know them better today? Here are a few interesting, out of the box travel Instagrammers that you must follow today itself. Don’t be surprised if their pictures and beautifully curated feeds give you sleepless nights, okay?

Photo Credit: trulynomadly

Sharanya quit her lucrative corporate career to take a plunge into full time traveling, blogging, and living a creative life. True to her insta handle, her feed takes you on an adventure. Her pictures are vivid, full of life. And not to mention her collabs with tourism boards have earned her recognition far and wide already!

Photo Credit: @neelimav

Neelima’s love for mountains, trekking makes her stand out. She also is vocal about climate change. She travels to never seen before places, hidden gems. Therefore, her photos look surreal every time you see this unexplored destination mindfully shared by her. Umpteen travel international travel publications have acclaimed her work as well.

Photo Credit: peppytravelgirl

Love to read joie de vivre visual stories on travel? Well, you must follow Preethi then! Along with being on TLC’s travel show, she has also been a podcaster, blogger. Her pictures cherish the small joys of travel. Most importantly, her dialogue on body neutrality, mental health makes her stories, posts one of their kind.

Photo Credit: @shivya

You might have read her bestselling book, The Shooting Star already by now. And it is no surprise to know that Shivya has always practiced what she writes. She is a mindful, vegan traveler. Her photos are zen, so they would soothe your sight for sure. Moreover, her efforts for slow and sustainable travel has been recognized by many leading travel publications and networks.

Photo Credit: siddharthajoshi

Siddhartha has been one of the most seasoned travel influencers in the country. His pictures stem from his passion for storytelling and exploring places with nothing but a clean slate of mind. It goes without saying that most of the travel publications, tourism boards have acclaimed his work. His penchant for showcasing the culture, heritage, and the designs of various places makes his feed follow-worthy any day.

Photo Credit: srish_teee

Photo Credit: @coffee.karma

Photo Credit: @kamakshi.pal

Photo Credit: @mishti.and.meat

Shramona’s IG feed is a treat for eyes. Her love for travel as well as indie fashion peps up your spirit.

“Travel brings power and love back into your life.”
― Rumi Jalalud-Din

Almost like nectar that seeps beauty and joy in flowers, travel keeps us alive. The banality of life keeps us dragging to the obvious, mediocre stuff that we need to deal with on a daily basis. A trip here, an exploration elsewhere helps you with a great perspective on living and our purpose.

Unlike what society tells us, we are not simply born to be a child, an adult, and die one day. Travel makes us experience that. It opens up our mind to the infinite possibilities, the newness of life.

“Travel far enough, you meet yourself.”

― David Mitchell, Cloud Atlas

Travel is very important for everyone to experience life as it is. By walking on the roads that are untouched, going close to Nature, we get to meet a version of ourselves that we have never known before. 

You might be earning the best salary in the world, living in the most luxurious home, might just have that special someone in your life but if you have not traveled somewhere far, chances are that you have experienced the true beauty of life and existence.

So, go to that hidden gem, unwind in the silent and soothing company of flora, fauna and just go meet your true self.

At Yuyiii, we have listed many such hidden gems and information for the same is available through their genuine videos and photos, so I feel if you are on a look-out for some offbeat place then do visit our website to plan a weekend getaway once the COVID 19 lockdown is over.

“That’s the thing about books. They let you travel without moving your feet.”
― Jhumpa Lahiri

Books are portable magic like films. We realize their power especially during the times of COVID 19 lockdown in India. However, we have books to transport us to the beautiful destinations of our country and the globe. Quintessentially, travel books help us exploring the world so vividly created by various writers. For instance, you might be sitting in your armchair in Mumbai and a good travel book may take you to jungle of Amazon or to Madurai in an instant. That’s how magical books can be!

With work from home and some time that you have on hand, we got a few gems of travel books to recommend you! Especially, for a true blue travel lover, these travel books would provide some solace.

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Through this book, the writer follows the madness of monsoon and sometimes takes over it. This makes you fall in love with the rains. It makes you believe how magical it is especially when it experienced across India. The writer’s journey also takes him to Bangkok, Thai-Malaysian border and it makes you fall in love with adventures all over again.

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Be it through self-discovery or the quest for something sublime in life, Jon Krauker changed the meaning of travel and life through his book. As a young college graduate, through Into the Wild, he takes us on the journey of the wilderness of America. This book soothes you, breaks your heart but also tells you how life-changing travel is!

As a travel lover, you might have already heard a lot about this book. Staying true to the romance of the road, the writer has penned his heart out in this. The chronicles of the writer across the United States along with the backdrop of heartwarming poetry and jazz makes it compelling for the reader to finish it one go.

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Wouldn’t you love to read the story of a self-made woman who gave it all up to travel? Well, Shivya sublimely writes about her journeys through the rainforests of Amazon, Himalayan villages, and many other countries. Her chronicles are not only heart hitting but they also nudge you to discover yourself through travel and adopt a minimalistic lifestyle.

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If you have always been a travel lover who lives for trekking, then this memoir by Cheryl Strayed will appeal to you for sure. It describes her journey through the Pacific Crest Trail. She hiked for around 1100 miles. This true account of her self-discovery will touch your heart for sure.

Although published in 1975, this book on Paul’s journey through Asia, Middle-East, Indian subcontinent, and Southeast Asia is still relevant. For a travel lover who has a soft corner for rail journeys, this book would be like a balm on the wounds in the times of COVID 19 lockdown.

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Have you always found conducted tours to be amusing? Well, with his wit and sarcasm, this book by Srinath Perur will tickle your funnybones all the more. It wonderfully narrates the adventure of Srinath across India through a conducted tour. If you want to read a travel book that is breezy yet striking, do not miss it.

If the city of Delhi always mesmerized you then City of Djinns would be an unforgettable read for you. Although it is quintessentially not a travel book, the way it describes Delhi and the way it takes to its streets, historical monuments, bazaars, and its history is simply fascinating. And it will grow on any travel lover, any day.

Photo by Aliis Sinisalu on Unsplash

Italy, Indonesia, and India? Would you want to experience the magic of all of them while sitting at home? Read this book then! It is all about a woman’s journey to discover herself by living in three different countries over a year. While its movie was watchable, the book is better. For a heartfelt, funny account on life and travel, give this book your time.

Always juggled this idea about traveling full-time? Well, this book might just change your life then! Right from embarking on a serious overseas trip, managing finances till making a life while being in love with the road: this book is a treasure trove. Make sure you read it if traveling full-time is always on your mind!

“For in every adult there dwells the child that was, and in every child there lies the adult that will be.”
― John Connolly

Image by Tuhin khamaru from Pixabay

We might have become adults. But, somewhere in all of us, there lives a child. The child that sparks up at the small joys of life, feels ecstatic at the thought of an adventure. Life may have grown us up, but that wish to relive our childhood with nostalgia that always nudges us. And while we are at it, what better than walking down the memory lane of traveling as a carefree kid?

In the name of those good old days, let’s rewind and relive those memories that were made in trains with siblings, on the road trips that made you fall in love with travel.

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The thought of cozily sleeping on a makeshift seat in a fast train excited all of us, didn’t it? For us, adjusting the middle berth or the side lower always feels good. It triggers so many memories even now when we are adults who travel by air because it is affordable now!

Be it samosas, sandwiches or the roti, sabzi, mom’s food tasted way heavenly while you were on a train. Oh, the aroma of those piping hot tiffins that mom so neatly packed, enjoying the food while sitting by the window seat is still cherished by most of us!

Image by antriksh kumar from Pixabay

Be it Diwali holidays or the summer vacation, we all have been there and waited for them to head away from home. We so waited to visit our grandparents. Or maybe head to a hill station or just relax at a weekend getaway? It was all such a luxury back then!

A window seat was our throne. All of us as kids felt entitled to them. After all, this seat offered the best views! So whether you got your “throne” by the window or not, it was all worth the fight during the journeys.

The photos taken during a trip were some of the best photos of our childhood! Weren’t they? So, packing those new clothes for them continues to be the most joyful memories for many of us.

We felt one with the world while looking at trees, moon and clouds while looking at them from a moving train or car. We got you there, right? As a child, this opened up your imagination and made you smile ear to ear.

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The mom made food was always great but that treat of bread butter and cutlet from the rail canteen was delish always! Oh, and didn’t we gorge on those samosas, kachori, bun maska sold by the station side thelas? Hygiene aside, don’t you still feel like eating them on your rail journeys as an adult, eh?

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Is any childhood travel memory ever complete without the mention of Antakshari? Playing it with co-passengers during your train journey was a joy of another world. And doesn’t it still make you smile for singing all the songs at the top of your voice that too on a train?

Be it gossips or the shopping tips shared by fellow passengers, those stories from strangers sparked your curiosity. And in often cases made you more empathetic and humanly. Not to mention how it also sparked new friendships as a kid, right?

While it appeared like a nightmare back them, now this memory just makes you smile. Remember those heart pangs that you felt when your mom or dad went to bring something at the station. Well, for most of us this still feels the same during our journeys!

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Counting the bags with parents while starting and ending the journey made us feel like grown ups, even though for a few seconds. Not to mention how tying it all up with the steel chain and lock still feels so natural!

Image by LushLitBlog from Pixabay

It still remains like that, right? Don’t we all still helplessly try to check the stations’ names and mentally challenge ourselves? Somewhere between being that kid who never waited to reach the station and a young adult who impatiently did, we all grew up!

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Tunnels always seemed magical to us as kids. Looking at them from a distance and waiting to pass through them felt like butterflies in the stomach! Also, seeing the light at of the end of those tunnels is something that still gives us hope, doesn’t it?

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Ever found yourself panicking as a kid for not seeing your name on the reservation chart of Indian Railways? Ha, well that history repeats with us all even as adults. But, it never fails to make us smile because we are still those kids at heart, no?