Kolkata to USA and Beyond

Summer of  2024

Day 1: Arrival in London - A Whirlwind of Iconic Landmarks

Our London adventure began with a smooth Eurostar journey from Brussels, Belgium. We touched down in the heart of the city and made our way to Mill Hill for a heartwarming lunch at Mama Bari (relative's house), savoring authentic bengali flavors.

London is very well connected with Metro and provides probably best mode of transport within the suburbs

The afternoon was a whirlwind of iconic sights. We strolled down the bustling Oxford Street and Regent Street, window shopping at renowned stores and soaking in the vibrant atmosphere. Piccadilly Circus, with its dazzling lights, and Trafalgar Square, dominated by Nelson's Column, were truly unforgettable.

We refueled with coffee and delicious goodies at Cafe Nero, then continued our exploration, passing by 10 Downing Street and marveling at the grandeur of Westminster Abbey. We crossed the iconic Westminster Bridge, capturing iconic photos of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament with the River Thames as our backdrop.

Day 2: Royal Encounters and River Thames Delights

Today, we witnessed the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace, a truly spectacular sight. We then hopped on a Big Bus tour, enjoying panoramic views of the city and learning about its rich history.

For lunch, we indulged in a delicious feast of Masala Fried, Chai, Samosas, Kebab Roti Rolls at Chai Wala. Later, we treated ourselves to a delectable Milk Cake and Pistachio Cake at Cafe Leto.

The afternoon was dedicated to the River Thames. We walked across the magnificent Tower Bridge, capturing stunning photos of the city skyline. We then embarked on a relaxing cruise along the river, enjoying the sights and sounds of London from a unique perspective.

Our day concluded with a delightful dinner at Royal Nawab in Perivale, savoring authentic Indian/Pakistani cuisine, with more than 50 items to offer for 30 pounds/person

Day 3: Artistic Adventures and Culinary Delights

We began our day with a visit to the awe-inspiring St. Paul's Cathedral, admiring its magnificent architecture and intricate details.

Lunch was a culinary adventure at Borough Market. We dined at the Fish Kitchen, enjoying a delicious Japanese-inspired bowl.

The afternoon was dedicated to entertainment. We marveled at life-like wax figures at Madame Tussauds, then indulged in a bit of Sherlock Holmes nostalgia with a visit to 221b Baker Street.

The evening brought a delightful mix of culinary experiences. We enjoyed a delicious meal at Edgeware Road, savoring the flavors of Lahori Kitchen. We then concluded the day with a delightful dinner at The Sty and Stable in Carlisle.

Day 4: Wimbledon Fever - A Taste of Tennis

Today, we experienced the thrill of Wimbledon! We queued up early in the morning/ midnight, eager to soak in the atmosphere of this legendary tennis tournament. We got tickets to Court 1 but not the Center Court which were already sold out to people who stood for days in the famoue Wimbledon Q

We enjoyed a delicious breakfast and indulged in the quintessential Wimbledon experience - strawberries and cream and a refreshing Pimm's.

Day 5: London Eye Views and City Delights

Our day began with a delicious dim sum feast at the Bun House in Chinatown, savoring flavorful buns, dumplings, and wontons.

We then ascended the iconic London Eye, enjoying breathtaking panoramic views of the city. We celebrated with a glass of champagne in the exclusive Eye Lounge, toasting to an unforgettable experience.

Later, we indulged in some retail therapy on Oxford Street. We scored a fantastic roadside hoodie at Selfridges and grabbed a delicious roadside wrap from Ben's Cookies. The day concluded with a lively house party, enjoying the company of our hosts and friends.

Day 6: A Day of Sport and Diverse Flavors

We started our day with a visit to Lord's Cricket Ground, experiencing the iconic home of cricket which was hosting James Anderson's farewell match with West Indies

For lunch, we indulged in a variety of street food delights. We savored delicious crepes, Greek wraps, and enjoyed the classic British combination of fish and chips. We also tried a flavorful gyro wrap and a tasty taco, experiencing the diverse culinary scene of London. 

London is rightly called the Cuisine of the World for its diverse availability of food from across the globe

Summer of  2024

Day 1:  A Whirlwind of Whisky and History

We started early from London by car for Scotland which wasa 7 hors joury. Our first stop was the charming market town of Biggar, where we enjoyed a hearty breakfast at Aroma. We then indulged in a coffee break at the historic Crown Inn before heading towards Edinburgh. 

Unfortunately, we missed out on the iconic Edinburgh Castle due to a lack of tickets, a slight detour on our itinerary. The tickets were sold out for the day, and thereby getting advance tickets for your visit to Edinburgh castle is highly recommended

However, our spirits were lifted by an unexpected visit to the Dalwhinnie Distillery. Not only did we get a fascinating glimpse into the whisky-making process, but we also scored a rare bottle of their finest – a true collector's item! We concluded the day with a comfortable stay in the picturesque town of Aviemore.

Day 2:  Loch Ness Legends and Creamy Delights

Today, we delved into the mysteries of Loch Ness. We visited the Loch Ness Centre, learning about the legendary creature and exploring the surrounding area. A visit to Urquhart Castle, with its stunning views of the loch, was a must. The entrance fee for our family of six came to around 51 pounds.

Indulging our sweet tooth, we stopped by the renowned Melies Gelataria. The Rochee Ferrero ice cream was a heavenly experience, and we couldn't resist trying their delicious cannoli.

We then embarked on a captivating Loch Ness cruise. We learned about the depth of the loch, the diverse fish species inhabiting its waters, and of course, the elusive Nessie. The cruise offered breathtaking views of Urquhart Castle from the water.

Later, we stopped at the Cafe Nessi, but unfortunately, the desserts were overly sweet. We tried the cheesecake and biscuits, but they weren't to our liking.

The day concluded with a visit to the Glenlivet Distillery. We learned about the different types of casks used in whisky maturation, including European sherry casks, American bourbon casks, and the intriguing concept of the "angel's share." We also added a few rare Glenlivet whiskies to our collection.

Day 3:  Edinburgh Encounters and Afternoon Tea

Back in Edinburgh, we were able to visit the Edinburg castle which is marvelous medieval architecture and have rich history. We found out that there are certain eateriesz within the castle. We aimed to visit the renowned tearoom at Edinburgh Castle, but unfortunately, it required prior reservations. We then embarked on a search for the JK Rowling cafe, but our quest proved unsuccessful, as we were unable to successfully locate

However, we discovered a charming spot called La Azia, where we enjoyed a delightful cream tea and some delicious soups.

We could've spent the entire day, ther but had to plan for our journey back to London

Summer of  2024

Day 1:  We began by taking a flight from Newark (EWR) to Brussels, Belgium

We took a post-paid cab to our hotel Hilton Garden Inn which is right in the city center and paid around 60 Euros for the cab ride, which seemed to be on the higher side. All the big train station like Bruseels Midid Station were either walkable or around 10 EUROs cab ride which was very convenient about the hotel. There is a Hilton right at walkable distance from Grand Place, if you want to stay right where everything is happening

We arrived and checked-in at the hotel around evening and quickly freshened up to get a glimpse of this laid back city

We make our way on foot through the charming cobbled streets of Brussels to the Old Town. Here we marvelled at the "The Grand Place" or Grote Markt, which is the central square of Brussels. The Square provides wonderful opportunities to photograph the opulent guildhalls and the two larger and imposing edifices of the city's Town Hall, and the King's House or Breadhouse building containing the Museum of the City of Brussels. We then continued down the adjacent street to see the Manneken Pis, an iconic 17th-century bronze fountain, depicting a naked little boy urinating into a fountain's basin. The Manneken Pis can often be found dressed in costume during festivals. 

Day 2:  Bruges, UNESCO World Heritage City

We didn't planned to visit Bruges but were recommended by the receptionist in our hotel and I am so grateful that he talk us through this idea

We started the day by walking from our hotel to the nearest train stop. The train ride is about 1.5 hours and we took an early train of around 9 am. We started off the day by having a refreshing breakfast in one of the numerous cafes in Bruges 

Upon reaching Bruges, we walked through the cobbling lanes to reach the city center and was completed amused by the medieval architecture and canals all around us

A visit to Bruges is not complete without a boat trip on the Bruges canals, the arteries of the city. We took the boat to saunter along the enigmatic canals and immersed ourselves in Bruges rich medieval heritage

We also took the horse drawn carriages from Market Place which took us along winding cobblestone roads, ancient bridges, the Bruges canals, majestic and cosy squares…, accompanied all the while by the relaxed rhythm of horses' hooves!

We celebrated our visit to Bruges by ending the trip with a beer. Not a beer fan, but here the beer tastes pretty good too! Also when you drink a beer here, you are tasting history, as UNESCO designated Belgian beer culture as Intangible Cultural Heritage

We wanted to visit St. Bravo's Cathedral in Ghent, Belgium on our way back from Briges to Brussels but unfortunately because of language problems couldn't identify the correct station and had to take along route back to Brussels

In the evening we visited Antonium, Brussel's iconic attraction and Belgium's most famous monument. This monument, IMHO is a bit hyped, as this a modern architure and there are many other significant modern structures across. Nonetheless, if you are visiting Brussels, you will visit Antonium, once

Day 3:  We had a train reservation in Eurostar for our onward journey to London

We waked up early and the hotel arranged for a taxi which took us to Muidi station. The station was really close by and cost us only $10. The train was superfast eurorail and we really cherished our journey of two and half hours in the most sophisticate train journey, one can ever experience!

Winter of  2023

A Journey to Shantiniketan: A 3-Night Sojourn

In December 2023, I embarked on a memorable 3-night trip to Shantiniketan with my parents. We visited the renowned abode of Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, exploring his house and immersing ourselves in the rich cultural heritage of the region.

A highlight of our trip was witnessing a captivating folk dance performance at Sonajhuri Haat. The vibrant colors, rhythmic movements, and infectious energy of the dancers created a truly unforgettable experience.

To round off our journey, we indulged in a sumptuous meal at Borishaler Rannaghor, savoring delicious local delicacies like Hilsa, Mutton, and Aloo Posto, a true taste of Bengali cuisine.

This trip to Shantiniketan offered a delightful blend of cultural immersion, historical exploration, and culinary delights, creating cherished memories with my family.

The last Tennis Grand Slam of the Year

Day 1:  Took Amtrak for WILM station that took me to NY Penn Station in about 2 hours on Sept 5 2023. There is something about this train that I always enjoy with free Wifi and Condiments. It brings back the memories of countless rides in Indian Railways from back home. This is a seating train where you can enjoy the views from Wilmington via Philly and NJ Penn Station to NY Peen Station. The station is very huge and well maintained with some shops worth noting like the French shops offering delicious macrons. I took a cab from the station to Hilton which is in very convenient central Manhattan location. I checked in conveniently with helpful front desk and as I had no tiredness from driving, freshened and left immediately for Flushing meadows.  Train 7 Queen bound train took me to Milets Point, the designated station fro Arthur Ashe Stadium where the fun matches were happening.  The ladies match that was happening that night was between S Cirstea and Muchova which was not a very close match. Muchova kinda rollover and won in straight sets. The next match was all american between Tiafoe and Shelton which produced fascinating power tennis. In between I enjoyed the ice creams and signature drinks that US Open had to offer. The match ended late into the night with Shelton winning, after which I checked to my hotel for a good night's rest

Day 2:  No NYC trip is ever complete without satisfying my culinary desires. In the morning I traveled to Jackson heights to have sumptuous bengali lunch with different varieties of fishes among other bengali delicacies. When I go to NYC to watch US Open, I always overdo tennis watching by watching 1 night session and a day session in Arthur Ashe stadium. It was a very hot day though, but had nice seat in the shaded portion of the stadium. It was another fascinating day of tennis where I watched Medvedev vs Rublev and Cheng vs Sabalanka matches. It were both straight set matches, thought I wished it would have been a little more thrilling. Nonetheless, had some time before my train back to Delaware and made perfect use of it by visiting a very nice kebab place Chote Nawab in Lexington Avenue. The food was okish but the prices were high, exactly what you expect while having Indian food in central NYC

Europe trip was planned with my parents during Summer 2023

Day 1:  We embarked on a TAP flight from EWR to Geneva at 10:50 PM after parking near the airport. To kick off our trip, we decided to have Italian dinner near the foreign exchange counter in our terminal.

Upon landing at Geneva Airport, we made arrangements to obtain a Swiss Travel Pass, which would facilitate our exploration of Switzerland's beautiful destinations thanks to its extensive coverage of public transportation. Additionally, we acquired a new phone SIM card since our US phone network wouldn't function in this country.

Day 2:  We started our day by enjoying breakfast at Café du Centre Restaurant in the Old City (Vieille Ville) before checking out from the Hilton Geneva Hotel. The hotel had fantastic facilities that made our stay quite comfortable.

Our travel itinerary for the day included taking a train journey from Geneva to Mont-Blanc and then on to Lausanne. In Lausanne, we were excited to experience a scenic boat ride departing from the Ouchy port. The beauty of Switzerland's landscapes and waterways awaited us on this picturesque journey. We finally reached our first destination of stay Grindelwald, a picturesque village known for its stunning landscapes. We had a beautiful hilltop villa, with direct sight of the Swiss Alps from our rooms

Day 3:  We began our day by visiting Grindelwald First, a picturesque area known for its stunning landscapes and thrilling rides. One of the highlights of our visit was the cliff walk, an absolute must-visit attraction. To make the most of our time and ensure we could enjoy all the rides, we purchased our tickets in the morning, securing timed slots for later in the day.

While in Grindelwald First, we also indulged in a delightful lunch while taking in the breathtaking views of the surrounding valleys from the top of the cliff walk bar. It was an incredible experience to savor both the food and the scenery.

Our next stop was Lauterbrunnen, where we marveled at the Thummebach waterfall. This natural wonder showcased how waterfalls originate from within the mountains, leaving us mesmerized by the power of nature.

To cap off the day, we visited Interlaken, a place that stirred up feelings of nostalgia from the iconic Bollywood movie "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge" (DDLJ) by featuring a statue of the renowned director Yash Chopra. It was a charming reminder of the film and added a touch of Bollywood glamour to our Swiss adventure.

Day 4:  Traveling from Grindelwald to the Jungfraujoch terminal was the next exciting leg of our Swiss adventure. We embarked on a journey that involved taking a cable car and then a reserved train through a tunnel. However, this ride came with a steep price, as the tickets cost us $250 per person. Despite the cost, we couldn't resist the allure of reaching the "Top of Europe," and it would turn out to be the highlight of our Swiss tour.

Upon reaching Jungfraujoch, we were greeted by breathtaking scenery that offered panoramic views of the Alps and glaciers. It was a surreal experience to be surrounded by such natural beauty.

Our exploration of Jungfraujoch included a visit to the Ice Palace, where we ventured into a world of ice and snow. We also explored the Sphinx, enjoyed some snow fun on the glacier, and spent nearly five hours soaking in the sights and experiences at the top. It was a day-long tour that left us with unforgettable memories.

To fully enjoy the tour, we made sure to dress warmly, as we were walking through a palace literally made of ice. It was a unique and chilly adventure.

While at the Jungfraujoch, we discovered that there was an Indian buffet available, but we found it to be quite overpriced. Instead, we opted for the cafeteria, where the prices were more reasonable, and we had a satisfying lunch while taking in the majestic surroundings. We completed our journey to the top with a sweet treat by visiting the Lindt Chocolate Factory.

Day 5:  We started our journey by taking a train from Grindelwald to OST and then another train to Breinz. The train ride provided us with scenic views overlooking Lake Breinz, making the journey quite enjoyable.

Upon arrival in Breinz, we visited the information center, where we learned about transportation options, including buses to the Grand Hotel and boat rides to Geissbach. However, to save time, we decided to take a taxi, which cost us $27 and took us to the Grand Hotel.

While in the area, we had the opportunity to see the Geissbach Falls, although we didn't hike up to them. We then had a satisfying lunch before taking a private train down to the boat station on Lake B, with tickets priced at 7 Swiss Francs each.

The boat ride from the boat station took us to Isseltwald, where we explored the village. We even visited the picturesque "Crash Landing Bridge" and refreshed ourselves with cucumber lemonade.

Later, we took a bus back to OST and enjoyed some delicious treats at Sharma Tea, including samosas and chicken fries. We continued our exploration by walking to Harder Kulm, where we were able to take advantage of our Swiss Pass, which provided a 50% discount at the restaurants upstairs. Afterward, we strolled back down, walking to the west and indulging in some ice cream along the way.

To end the day on a flavorful note, we had dinner at Spice of India, savoring the taste of Indian cuisine.

Day 6: We began the day by departing from Grindelwald and traveling to OST (Interlaken Ost). From there, we boarded a train headed to Lucerne, another enchanting Swiss destination.

In Lucerne, we explored the iconic Chapel Bridge and Water Tower, landmarks that exude charm and history. The Old City walls added to the historical atmosphere, and we took a leisurely walk around this captivating city.

For lunch, we had the pleasure of dining at the beautiful restaurant Taube. It's worth noting that this restaurant usually requires prior reservations due to its popularity and excellent cuisine.

After our satisfying meal, we explored the Fountain area, which is often the heart of many Swiss towns, offering a glimpse into local life and culture.

Day 7:  We commenced our day by taking a train from Stansted to Lucerne, enjoying the beautiful journey through the Swiss countryside.

Upon arriving in Lucerne, we embarked on a cruise from Lucerne to Arth-Goldau. It's worth noting that we could have taken this route directly from Stansted, but the cruise provided us with picturesque views of the surrounding landscapes.

In Arth-Goldau, we experienced the steepest cogwheel railway that took us up to Mount Pilatus. Once at the summit, we took a gondola down, and along the way, we discovered opportunities for thrilling activities such as zip-lining and mountain tubing. It's important to note that these attractions usually close around 5 PM.

We reached Kreins, where we enjoyed a scenic walk that lasted about 10 minutes, ultimately leading us to catch a bus (Bus 1) to Lucerne's main terminal.

In Lucerne, we had the chance to visit Lucerne Casagrande, a wonderful gift shop where we could find unique souvenirs and treasures.

As the day drew to a close, we made our way back to the train station to return to Stansted, concluding another memorable day of exploration and adventure in Switzerland.

Europe trip was planned with my parents during Summer of  2023

Day 1:  We began by taking a train from Stansted to Lucerne, enjoying the scenic train ride through the picturesque Swiss landscape.

From Lucerne, we boarded another train that took us to Zurich HB (Zurich Hauptbahnhof), one of Switzerland's major railway hubs.

In Zurich HB, we caught a train to Chur, where we would embark on the Bernina Express, a scenic train journey known for its breathtaking views.

Before our Bernina Express journey, we decided to savor a meal at a Mexican restaurant in Chur, experiencing some delicious flavors before our train ride.

The Bernina Express proved to be a long train journey with no onboard dining options. However, the stunning views and landscapes along the way more than made up for it.

Upon arriving in Tirano, Italy, we were met with the unexpected challenge of finding dining options, as all the restaurants appeared to be closed. Ultimately, we discovered an Asian sushi restaurant that offered good food, allowing us to satisfy our hunger and cap off a day of travel and adventure.

Day 2:  We started the day by taking a taxi from our hotel to the nearest bus stop. The details for this taxi service weren't readily available on the internet, but our local hotel was able to provide us with the necessary information.

From there, we boarded a bus that would take us to Sondrio, embarking on the next leg of our journey.

Upon reaching Sondrio, we caught a train that brought us to Milan, departing from platform 1 of the station.

In Milan, we then made our way to Venice, continuing our exploration of Italy.

Arriving in Venice, we were faced with the expense of a water taxi, which cost €80 due to our group size and luggage. Venice's waterways make for a unique but relatively expensive mode of transportation.

In the evening, we celebrated our parent's 44th anniversary with a special dinner at a trattoria, enjoying the flavors of Italian cuisine and the romantic ambiance of Venice.

After dinner, we ventured out once again, exploring the iconic St. Mark's Square and Tower, as well as the charming alleys of Venice. Venice's timeless beauty and unique atmosphere provided the perfect backdrop for a memorable evening.

Day 3:  We started the day by savoring the famous Sosu ice cream, a delightful treat that added a sweet touch to our morning.

For lunch, we dined at Hotel Rialto, enjoying a delicious meal.

Afterwards, we hopped on a water taxi, making our way to the station where we caught a high-speed train to Florence's Santa Maria Novella station.

At 6 PM, we picked up our Hertz car, and with our wheels, we set off on a journey to Tuscany, known for its stunning landscapes, rich history, and delicious food and wine. We checked into our luxurious villa in the heart of Tuscany - Borgo alle Vigne

In the evening, we had dinner at a restaurant, indulging in dishes like fish and more, savoring the flavors of Tuscany as we settled into our new surroundings

Day 4:   We began the day by driving from Tuscany to Pisa and parking our car in an underground parking near the train station.

To reach the iconic Tower of Pisa, we took a bus from the parking area. It's important to note that you cannot purchase tickets on the bus, and traveling without a ticket may result in a fine.

Once at the Tower of Pisa, we discovered a restaurant located on the opposite side of the tower. We decided to get a Pisa Pass, which allowed us to visit all the monuments in the area. Climbing the 257 steps to the top of the Tower of Pisa was a highlight, providing us with stunning views of the city.

After our visit to the tower, we embarked on a more than a mile walk back to the parking area. Despite waiting for an hour, we found it challenging to find any available taxis.

Our next destination was Lucca, a charming city surrounded by walls. While there, we enjoyed the best Italian sandwiches and sipped on fresh orange juice, savoring the flavors of the region.

Day 5:  We began the day by driving to Podemdoro station from Tuscany, where we caught a train to Florence, known for its rich artistic heritage.

Our first stop in Florence was the famous art gallery. Unfortunately, we didn't have prior tickets, so we had to wait in line for about 2 hours. However, the wait proved to be worthwhile as we were treated to the beauty of renowned paintings and had the opportunity to admire Michelangelo's masterpiece, the statue of David.

To satisfy our taste buds, we visited Cafe Gilli, which provided us with the best pastries of our trip, although it was on the expensive side. The delectable treats added to the pleasures of our visit to Florence.

After indulging in pastries, we opted to take a taxi from Cafe Gilli to Florence station, where we caught our train back to Podemdoro, concluding another day of exploration and cultural immersion in Italy.

Day 6:  It was a day where we decided to take it easy and fully enjoy the facilities at our resort. We had the perfect setup to unwind and take in the excitement of Wimbledon's men's semi-finals.

As we watched the tennis matches, we had the pleasure of indulging in a selection of Italian wines that Tuscany is famous for. To make the experience even more special, my mom prepared some of my favorite dishes, creating a wonderful combination of sports, fine wines, and delicious homemade food.

It was a day of leisure and enjoyment, making the most of the resort's amenities and savoring the comforts of Tuscany.

Day 7:  We began by returning our rental car at Florence station and catching a 8:57 AM superfast train to Roma Termini, the main train station in Rome.

Upon arrival at the station, we decided to take a taxi to our hotel. Unfortunately, the taxis we took didn't use the meter and overcharged us. It's important to be cautious and ensure that taxis use the meter when you board to avoid such issues.

After checking in our luggage at the hotel, we opted for an Uber ride to the Colosseum. While we had tickets booked online, we found the ticket collection point to be inconveniently located more than a mile away from the Colosseum itself. This was quite frustrating, as they do not accept original tickets, and online tickets' QR codes are not valid at the Colosseum. It's crucial to be aware of this when planning your visit.

We also learned that the general tickets for the Colosseum did not include access to the arena and underground areas. To have a more comprehensive experience, it's advisable to carefully choose the type of tickets you purchase.

During our visit, we found that there were no food options around the Colosseum. Water was available for purchase, but inside the Colosseum, there was a water fountain, providing some relief.

Later, we took a taxi to Vatican City. Feeling hungry, we had lunch at a restaurant opposite Vatican City. However, it turned out to be quite pricey, and we would recommend avoiding it for a more budget-friendly dining option.

While visiting the Sistine Chapel, we found a wheelchair service available for my father, which was convenient and accommodating.

Getting a taxi back to our hotel proved to be a bit of a challenge, as there was a lot of waiting involved, and the taxi queues lacked organization. Navigating taxis in Rome can sometimes be a bit chaotic.

The trip was planned during Springbreak 2023

Day 1:  Our journey began with a flight from Philadelphia, booked on Frontier Airlines. However, our travel plans hit a small snag as our Frontier flight, on expected lines, experienced a delay of two hours. We had our dinner in Philly airport in the  Chickie’s & Pete’s, the Philly sports bar chain serving crab fries, crab cakes, wings, sandwiches

Finally, we touched down in Denver, Colorado, at around 1 am, Mountain Time. After landing, after picking up the car rental from Denver airport, we embarked on a one-hour drive to reach our cozy accommodation, Homewood Suites in Colorado Springs. The journey through the night was serene, with the allure of the Colorado landscape in the darkness, hinting at the natural wonders that awaited us in the daylight.

Our day-one journey may have started with a delay, but it was just the beginning of our memorable trip to explore the charming town of Breckenridge, Colorado, and its stunning surroundings.

Day 2:  We began by driving to Manitou Springs to embark on an exciting adventure aboard the cog rail. This incredible ride took us up to a staggering 14,800 feet, all the way to the summit of Pikes Peak. At the top, we were greeted by a gift shop, food options, and bathrooms, but the real star was the awe-inspiring view that stretched before us. One highlight was the delicious cinnamon sugar donuts that we couldn't resist.

However, the high altitude took its toll on all of us. We felt dizzy, and our heart rates surged due to the thin air with less oxygen. It was a reminder of the majestic power of nature.

We continued our journey toward Breckenridge, taking a scenic route through Como, a picturesque countryside that charmed us with its beauty. We had initially planned to traverse the Boreas Pass, but we soon realized that the road conditions were less than ideal, and there were no fellow travelers to guide us. It was a tough decision, but we opted for safety and continued on a more traveled path.

Upon reaching our hotel Valdoro Mountain Lodge , we had a series of activities lined up. We also had a birthday celebration for my kid in the works, complete with a birthday cake. Unfortunately, the cake ordered from City Market turned out to be overly sweet, and we had to reluctantly dispose of it.

For dinner, it was just us at Hearthstone, which, while a bit on the expensive side, offered an exquisite dining experience. The Colorado lamb dish was a particular standout, and the cod fish added another layer of culinary delight to our day.

Day 3:  Our hotel offered convenient shuttle services that allowed us to explore all corners of this charming skiing city. We hopped on the shuttle and made our way to the gondola, a fantastic mode of uphill transport that took us to Peak 7 and Peak 8 of the Breckenridge mountains. The views from the gondola were nothing short of spectacular, offering breathtaking vistas of the valleys below.

Upon reaching the mountain's summit, we discovered a restaurant where we decided to have lunch. The kids enjoyed chicken quesadillas, while we savored a refreshing drink while taking in the stunning mountain scenery.

After our descent, we strolled through the city's picturesque lanes, taking in the charming ambiance. We had plans for lunch at Bold, which opened at three o'clock. Since we arrived a bit early at 2:30, we decided to spend some time at the Mountain Winery, conveniently located just across from Bold Mediterranean Restaurant.

Bold turned out to be an amazing dining experience. We particularly loved the Black Manhattan cocktail, though the pomegranate drink didn't quite hit the mark for us. As for the food, we indulged in Greek fries, Moroccan chicken skewers, lamb, meatballs, and a falafel trio. The flavors were a true delight, and we left the restaurant feeling thoroughly satisfied.

Back at the hotel, we took a well-deserved break and enjoyed a restful nap. In the evening, we were treated to live music in the lobby of our Hilton Grand Vacation Club  resort, adding a wonderful touch to our day. To cap off the night, we engaged in some fun activities, including an arcade session and a game of ping pong.

Day 4:  We contemplated whether to venture to Glenwood Springs amidst heavy snowfall. After some consideration, we decided to brave the elements, embarking on a journey that took approximately one and a half hours to reach this picturesque town.

The drive to Glenwood Springs was nothing short of magical. We marveled at the snow-covered canyons, valleys, and the striking red rocks against the backdrop of snow clouds. As we passed through Glenwood Canyon, the scenery left us in awe.

Once we arrived in Glenwood Springs, we made our way to the Colorado Hotel. We sought directions to the hot springs, conveniently located right across the street. Finding parking was a breeze, as they had their dedicated parking area. The hot springs were a true marvel, offering different temperature pools for both kids and adults. It was a family-friendly facility, complete with changing rooms, lockers, a shower area, and even the option to rent towels for a nominal fee.

After a rejuvenating soak at the hot springs, we headed for lunch at Zhang, an Asian restaurant known for its outstanding food and service. We savored dishes like miso soup, hot and sour soup, pineapple fried rice, and sushi rolls.

Following lunch, we explored Glenwood Springs Main Street, a beautiful place for a leisurely walk. We stumbled upon an art shop called "On the Eighth," where we found a captivating unframed picture that we couldn't resist. To sweeten our excursion, we indulged in some delightful ice cream from a shop called Sundae, which lived up to its name with its amazing ice cream offerings.

As the day waned, we returned to Breckenridge. Despite feeling quite full from our earlier culinary adventures, we decided to dine at Twist, a restaurant with a fireplace on the lower floor. The menu featured enticing options such as trout, smoky old-fashioned cocktails, and lamb chops. After a sumptuous meal, we braved the snowy walk back to our cozy hotel.

Day 5:  On our last day in Breckenridge, we decided to make the most of our time in this charming town. Despite the snowy weather, we embarked on a four-hour exploration of Breckenridge Main Street.

To kick off the day, we enjoyed a hearty breakfast at Eric's, a family-friendly establishment. We opted for the falafel platter, which turned out to be quite a substantial and satisfying meal. Our kid had a great time in the arcade, adding an extra layer of fun to our morning.

Afterward, we ventured into a gift shop, where we picked up some T-shirts to remember our visit to Breckenridge. We also couldn't resist the allure of a jewelry shop, where we found some statement jewelry pieces, perhaps reminiscent of Breckenridge itself.

Our next stop was a French bakery, where we relished a cup of coffee along with a delightful Claire's cake and some chocolate mousse. It was a perfect treat to warm up on a snowy day.

As the day progressed, we hopped on a shuttle to return to our hotel. We packed our bags and checked out around 6 PM, bidding farewell to Breckenridge.

Our journey then took us to Denver's downtown area, where we parked our car near Blake Street. We decided to have dinner at Chalon, an establishment known for its great ambiance, although we found the prices a bit on the high side, and the portion sizes didn't quite meet our expectations. We had hoped to visit a place called "Meta," but it turned out to be a bar setting that didn't permit children.

With dinner behind us, we made our way to the airport, eager to catch our flight back to Philadelphia. Our time in Breckenridge had been filled with memorable experiences, and as we left, we carried with us the warmth of the town and the moments we had shared in its snowy embrace.

The trip was planned during Thanksgiving Holidays in 2022

Day 1:  We took a morning flight from Philadelphia to Miami with a stop over in Chicago. It was pleasant surprise that the famous Earl of Sandwich is right in the terminal of airport, from where we did our breakfast for our onward journey.  We reached Chicago at noon and utilized the stop over time by having lunch within the airport but will recommend to skip if you have option. When we reached Miami and got out taking the rental car, it was the rainiest day in Miami for the year. We started our journey towards Keywest at 6:30 pm. This is a long 1 street journey towards Keywest where the speed limit goes down from 55 to 35 within few miles and you need to be very careful to be within the speed limit as there are multiple police troops in the stretch, just to catch you off guard. It takes 4 hrs from Miami airport to KeyWest and all the restaurant closes pretty early 9 pm ish in Keywest, which is very sweet slow town. We stayed in the Marriott in Keywest and had a smooth check-in around 10 am

Day 2:  Enjoyed a lazy day in Key West with sumptuous lunch in Hurrican Hole which is a nice restaurant in the bay. Recommend the cocktails and the mexican food that they had to offer. Took the 4 pm shuttle to downtown and enjoyed the sun setting in the vast horizon of the ocean, and felt all the tiredness from my travel evaporating off. Enjoyed authentic cuban cuisine in Elmasen with had a vivacious ambience with live music and cuban dancing

Day 3:  I woke up early in the morning with a sense of excitement and drove to the southernmost tip of the USA. This spot offered a unique photo opportunity that you wouldn't want to miss when visiting Key West. Our first destination was Ft. Zachary Beach, a beautiful white sandy beach with rocky features. However, our visit was cut short due to the unexpected rain.

To brighten our day, we decided to have breakfast at Blue Heaven, a charming local restaurant known for its fresh and delicious breakfast offerings. It felt like a home-cooked meal and provided the perfect start to our adventure.

Next, we headed to Smathers Beach, a family-friendly beach with calm waters, perfect for a relaxing time with the kids. Although we wished we could have spent more time there, we had an exciting plan awaiting us—the Sandbar tour by Fury. This highly sought-after tour, which books up quickly, takes you on a boat for 30 people.

The adventure began as the boat first led us to the middle of the ocean amidst the coral reefs, allowing us to enjoy an hour of snorkeling. Then, it transported us further into the ocean, where we found ourselves on a mesmerizing sandbar in the midst of the sea. It was an enchanting experience, to say the least.

As we savored the tranquility of being surrounded by the ocean and enjoyed a glass of wine, we watched the sun set, this time from the heart of the sea. But, as with all good things, this incredible journey had to come to an end, concluding around 6 pm. We began our drive back to Miami, bidding a fond farewell to the beautiful small town of Key West.  Around 10 pm we checked in to our  Hilton Grand Vacations Club McAlpin Ocean Plaza Miami, a ocean view property right in the middle of Miami ocean drive. This is a beautiful Hilton property which provides you subsidized vallet parking as well as beach chairs and umbrellas, which are super expensive in this side of Miami

Day 4: We started the day with a leisurely stroll along the boardwalk, enjoying the beautiful views of the ocean and the refreshing sea breeze. 

In the evening, we ventured into the vibrant neighborhood of Little Havana. The streets were alive with the sounds of salsa music, and the colorful murals on the walls added to the area's charm. I couldn't resist the temptation to try some authentic Cuban cuisine.

I stumbled upon a cozy coffee shop tucked away in a corner of Little Havana. It was a haven for coffee lovers like me, and I indulged in a cup of rich, Cuban coffee while people-watching and immersing myself in the neighborhood's lively atmosphere.

For dinner, I decided to savor a classic Caribbean dish—Mofongo. This Puerto Rican delight is made from fried green plantains mashed with garlic, olive oil, and pork cracklings. It was a burst of flavors and a delightful culinary adventure.

Day 4 in Miami was all about embracing the local culture, from the Latin rhythms of Little Havana to the delicious flavors of Cuban coffee and Mofongo. It was a day filled with memorable experiences and a deeper connection to the city's diverse and vibrant character.

Day 5:  We started my day with a visit to a charming Italian bakery in South Ocean Boulevard. The bakery offered a delightful assortment of pastries, bread, and Italian specialties. I couldn't resist trying some of their mouthwatering treats.

In the afternoon, I headed to the Bayside area for an adrenaline-pumping adventure—a  thriller speedboat ride. The Bayside area is known for its scenic views and vibrant atmosphere. After the thrilling boat ride, I decided to indulge in a Mason lobster roll, savoring the flavors while taking in the sights at the Bayside Mall.

As the night approached, I was in the mood for some dancing and entertainment. I made my way to Mangoes, a popular nightclub located right on Ocean Boulevard. The lively music, colorful lights, and energetic atmosphere made it the perfect spot to dance the night away and create lasting memories.

Day 6:  Day 6 in Miami was all about sun, sand, and savoring delicious treats.

We kicked off the day with a beach adventure that stretched from 12 pm to 6 pm. What made this beach experience unique was the availability of drinks like beer and frozen cocktails right on the beach. It was a delightful way to stay refreshed while soaking up the Miami Beach sun.

Around lunchtime, we stumbled upon a gem right on the beach – "Oh Mexico." The restaurant served up some mouthwatering burritos and fish tacos. Dining with the sound of the waves in the background was an experience in itself.

Not too far away from the beach, there was a Häagen-Dazs stand, which the kids absolutely adored. They savored their ice creams while building sandcastles and playing on the beach. To make the beach experience even more enjoyable, we rented chairs and an umbrella.

After returning from the beach and cleaning off the sand, we dressed up for a special evening at Havana 1957. This restaurant had a unique charm – live music and performances that began at 9 pm on select days. The ambiance was electric, and the food was equally impressive. We couldn't resist trying their Mojito and the Chicken and Shrimp Cuban preparations, which were absolutely delightful.

Day 7: Booking an Amtrak sleeper class experience was a unique choice for our journey from Miami to Wilmington, Delaware. We opted for a romette, and it certainly exceeded our expectations in terms of comfort and amenities.

The romette provided fresh linens and towels, which added a touch of luxury to our overnight journey. The availability of a hot shower was a pleasant surprise, allowing us to refresh during the trip. To keep us hydrated and satisfied, we were offered complimentary bottled water, ice, soft drinks, and hot coffee with our meals.

Speaking of meals, while the menu might not have offered a wide variety of choices, we found the food to be decent and enjoyable. The convenience of having lunch and dinner served on the train made our journey more comfortable.

The 14-hour journey from Miami to Wilmington was a leisurely one, allowing us to truly appreciate the sleeper class experience. There's something incredibly soothing about the natural movement of a train, and the sleeping arrangement in the romette was more than adequate for a good night's rest.

Perhaps one of the most impressive aspects of our journey was the punctuality of the train service. It arrived in Wilmington right on time, ensuring a smooth and seamless travel experience from start to finish.

Overall, our Amtrak sleeper class experience was a memorable and enjoyable way to travel, offering a unique blend of comfort and convenience as we made our way to Wilmington, Delaware.

The trip was planned by flying out from IAD to Kolkata with a stop-over in Dubai

Day 1: Panchami  Reached Kolkata on September 2022, our family was there to pick us at Dum Dum

Went to ITC Royal Buffet and loved the overall ambience. Being in Kolkata after so long I relished every food that were there to offer, though I couldn't resist the pani puris(fuchka) and ate much more than I should ahve. The Biriyani was good as well as the Indo Chinese items were worth mentioning. There were grilled bhetki fish, that we enjoyed, as well. It was 3500 INR per head

Day 2: Sashti  Planned north Kolkata pujo parikrama with family. Visited Md Ali Park, Santosh Mitra Square, Bagbazar Sarbojanin. It was just fun moving in the old lanes of Kolkata. Stopped to eat at Mitra cafe, a decision I deeply lament. The food was below average and the wait was 1.5 hrs. Not worth it.

In the evening we started with 21 pally in Ballygunge and went to Mocambo in Park Street which is a continental restaurant. The sizzlers, ambience, crowd were special even on a rainy. Then on our way back we visited Evergreen Ekdalia and Singhi Park. A great start to our pujo parikrama

Day 3: Saptami Went for Pujo Special Buffet in Grand Oberoi in their Ball Room. It had a really decent buffet with all Bengali dishes that you can crave for. It had a special counter for 10 different type of rasugullas which included Chilli Rasogulla which was very interesting. After lunch we visited Jodhpur Park Pujo and went home as it was a hot day. Catched-up with friends and all other locals in para Pujo mandap, which I visited after 14 long years

Day 4: Asthami Spend the morning with Family and friends and given Anjali for the first time in decades. There was bhog distribution during the afternoon arranged by the locals. Enjoyed chilled beer in late afternoon that cooled me down

Day 5: Nabami Went out with brothers in the evening and went to Durga Bari, first. It is iconic place and we just sat together like old days sans friends but family and chatted for sometime. Then visited our school at night and felt overtly nostalgic. Then we went to Maddox, where there was live performance of Rupa Islam clone. For dinner, we headed out to Peter Cat and reached there at 10:30 pm. It was all sold out and there was a huge queue. Luckily a pair of seats of 2 were available and we splitted Up. Enjoyed the chelo kabab, reshmi kabab and other usual delicacies . While heading home visited Ballygunge Cultural and Samajsebhi. It was very crowded in the mandaps but the roads were amazing traffic free, which was a new experience for us after 14 years

Day 6: Dashami Partied  with all  the juniors in the locality  and donated handsomely towards para pujo. Bisorjon was a great experience with people dancing in the streets all the way to the river where Durga Ma got immersed. Celebrated the end of pujo with family as Durga Pujo drew its curtain for the year

The trip was planned for the Labor Day Weekend of 2022

Day 1:  Travelled to NYC from Delaware by Amtrak.  You can always travel by car which is 2.5 hrs away, but then you need to pay all the tolls as well as the expensive parking in NYC. Though the Amtrak may cost you a little more than both, the luxury of hassle free train journey cannot be undermined.  We reached our hotel Hilton Garden Inn Manhattan around noon which is located in 54th street, minutes form Times Square and Central Park. The hotel staff was excellent and we were allowed to check in early. After quickly checking in we started our first culinary tour in NYC way to Sagar which is located in Jamaica. The kachi biriyani is the best in that restaurant but please be advised it is not available all time during the day, as it is extremely popular. We tried the other biriyani which was ok, but we liked the lacha paratha and kabobs. This is not a great place for eat-ins but for takeouts and is always crowded. It was the labor day weekend and we couldn't miss out the nightlife. We went to Rooftop Bar and thoroughly enjoyed the night landscape that NYC has to offer along with some smooth cocktails and rollicking rooftop ambience

Day 2:  We spent the days with the kids in Bryant park after a sumptuous lunch in Queens Haat Bazaar, which serves authentic Fish Dishes and Bangladeshi foods. Bryant Park have a great kids zone and the kids has an amazing in this piece of green among the the concrete. In the evening I went to US Open to witness the evening session in Arthur Ashe stadium of the last tennis grand slam of the year. US Open is like the yearly tennis extravaganza and it mesmerizes me in the same way with it's electric atmosphere. I was lucky to witness the farewell match of the illustrious career of Serena Williams. The stadium was buzzing with not a single seat remaining empty as we bid adieu to the greatest women tennis player

Day 3: This was amazing day for our culinary delights as we had lunch at Spice Harmony  It is a little upscale restaurant with north Indian flavor and we immediately loved the quality of the food in this place and will definitely be back. We had our deserts in Venchi (Broadway) which is right across the central park entrance in NYC. The desert was delightful and I recommend the place. We spent the afternoon in the kids zone in Central Park, which is another amazing place to chill out in summer and the kids had a great time. We finished up the day with the best Indian food in Lexington Avenue Dhaba The food was really authentic and if you have visited any Dhabas in India and liked it, this is a place you definitely want to visit. This restayrant was minutes away from Penn station, where we bid adieu to NYC on our way back to our sweet home

The trip was planned for the summer break of 2022

Day 1:  Took a direct evening flight from Philadelphia(PHL) to Las Vegas(LAS) with the Spirit Airlines. The flight provides you the best price but you need to pay for checked-in luggage as well as carry-on luggage if  the carry-on is more than 20 inches. The cost per bag is $40 if you purchase it online. it is $49 at the airport. You need to pay for foods and drinks in the spirit airlines and you don't have much choice for food and they ran out of them very quickly. It is therefore advisable to get your food before you board any Sprit flights. We had our dinner in a sushi place near gate 6 D, but it was darn expensive and I do not recommend the place. The flight was on time. Once  you reach Vegas, it is convenient to get a taxi, rather than an Uber because firstly they are readily available and secondly they have a flat rate of $25 from airport to the strip.  We took a taxi to go to Hotel Elara, Hilton Grand Vacation in the strip.  The hotel is just one block away from the strip and it interconnects with Planet Hollywood which is right on the strip. I will give a five star rating to the hotel for the smooth check-in, free self-parking (you need to pay for parking in most hotels), security who are really diligent on  letting  only the guests in, service and location of the property. You can  get water, milk right from the shops within the property but as I was staying there for 8 nights, I went to Walgreens right next to Planet Hollywood to get the groceries, which was very convenient, if you do not have a car. This hotel is also connected to Miracle Miles shop which has ABC stores for immediate groceries.

Day 2:  This was our pool day. The Elara Pool has Cabanas available which made the day real fun. The Cabanas are $100/day for the owners. Drinks and food are pricey and not that good, but outside food except Starbucks(in the hotel property) are  not allowed inside. We had our drinks and food in the lobby, though we got few drinks inside, as well. The pool is 3 feet and thereby the kids had a great time for almost the whole day. It was very hot so we kept feeding them juices and water to keep them hydrated while we enjoyed our pool party in the cabanas with friends. In the evening, after some rest around 8 pm (best time to start the walk and avoid the heat during summer months) we walked in the strip all the way to Venetian where we enjoyed a sumptuous dinner in TAO which we thoroughly enjoyed. I will highly recommend to do a reservation for this restaurant as it is a very popular joint. We have waited around 25 mins to get a table which is pretty good, without reservation. The Duck Fried Rice is the very best I ever had and I highly recommend it.

Day 3: During the day we explored the marvels of the architecture of two distinct hotels in Vegas Bellagio and Caesars Palace which you you can visit by just crossing the street from Planet Hollywood. Bellagio has a distinct theme based lobby which they upgrade very season. During my visit it was decorated in a jungle theme with lions, giraffe ,snakes all around which was a treat to the eyes and the kids had a great time too. Next we visited the chocolate fountain in Bellagio, which is a pastry shop as well. My favorite in this shop was the chocolate eclair, which was simply out of the world. Next-up was the caesar palace which is inter joined with Bellagio. You can find the link to book Cirque Du Soleil shows in Bellagio which we utilized to book 2 shows. Mad Apple is a new show on the block replacing Zumanity but the top shows are O (longest running show and worth watching) and Ka (runs on  Tuesday) among all other Cirque Du Soleil shows in Vegas. We were really confused to which shows to go and made the choice after research and we do not regret going to either of shows. Please be aware of fraud transaction for these tickets and always buy it from authentic sites. We ate dinner at Trevi Caesars Palace and ate the best pizza. They have happy hours from 4 pm - 6 pm in the bar area where you get cool drinks and pizza at a very good price. We then went to the aquarium in Caesars Palace which are really good for the kids and adults alike. They are free to enter. We closed the day by watching KA at MGM Grand and exploring New York New York. There is an Irish Pub inside but I didn't like the Irish Coffee in that place. It was late in night and we were hungry, so we ended up Dennys just opposite to NYNY, which were open at 1 AM.  Surprisingly the food was really good or we were just very hungry.

Day 4:  When in Vegas you need to experience the grand buffet. It is really a thing and I believed it when I saw it! After much research to have the best experience we ended up in The Buffet at The Wynn and I was not disappointed with 90 course lunch. The lunch and dinner menu is the same it's only about when you get in there. We just managed to get in the lunch window and saved $20 per plate. The lunch is $50/person but this was a good experience. I will recommend to get a reservation, else you will need to wait for 30 mins or more as we did. After a lot of eating, we rested the entire afternoon. In the night we boarded the monorail from Linq and got the view of Vegas from train. 24 hr tickets are $15 each and they run Las Vegas Convention Center in old strip to MGM Grand and is a new addition to ever evolving Vegas.

Day 5:  Today I spent some time gambling in Caesars Palace and them loved the cigar bar Caesars Montecristo I haven't seen any cigar bars with this much collections and enjoyed the smoke thoroughly. Then we went to Hell's Kitchen  located just outside of Caesars Palace and boy it was fiery experience indeed! It was 3 pm but there was not a single table available and they didn't have any table for the night as they were fully reserved for the day. We sat in the bar and had the best drinks and food that are available in USA. The drinks Meet My Maker and Smoked whiskey are my favorite in that place, though expectedly it was very costly affair. The Night started with show in Bellagio O , the longest running show in Vegas where acrobats are jumping in water and playing with fire. The show is with 32 million gallons of water and the stage is super fancy. Then we visited Cosmopolitan and we loved the decor inside, which is very different from any other hotel in the strip. We regret not being able to visit the nightclub(Marquee) in Cosmopolitan, as it was closed. So to enjoy the nightlife we took a cab to Fremont Street in old strip and were bemused by the live music, performances and the electric atmosphere till 1:30 AM, when the crowd started slowly fading out. We ended up the night eating street tacos from truck at the end of Fremont Street  which was fresh and spicy. Fremont Street Experience is a very essential part of Vegas experience and we thoroughly enjoyed it.

Day 6 -8 :  We were attending NABC in Vegas which includes live musical and cultural performances all the way from Kolkata, West Bengal, India. We explored the Miracle Mile Shops and there are good shows that you want to explore here. The kids really loved the Panda Express located within these shops. We also explored the restaurants in Planet Hollywood  like Koi and enjoyed sandwiches (from Earl Of Sandwich ), burgers (it's different) at Gordon Ramsay and P.F Changs which surprisingly, was totally different from any other locations.  We concluded our vacation with a musical extravaganza in Planet Hollywood on a Sunday night. 

We spend 8 nights from Sunday to Monday and Vegas experience was quite fulfilling for us with good shows, drinks and food. Vegas never fails you!

The trip was planned for the spring break of 2022

Day 1:  We decided to drive from Delaware to Charleston which is a 10 hour drive. We started in the morning of a Friday but for spring break we got a lot of traffic on I-95 South. The traffic was really slow and the car was moving in a snarl's pace at times. We took stops few times on our way for food and drinks. I wanted to mention Peri-Peri, a chain from UK here, which have a great variety of sauces which adds the required flavor to the food, based on individual choices. We didn't mean to stop before Charleston, but due to the traffic delays we needed to stop. We were 3 hours away from Charleston and took an exit in Florence which had many lodging options. We visited around 7-8 hotels/motels and each one of them had to turn us down, as each of them were at full capacity. At 2 AM in the morning, it was a real scramble to get a decent hotel to spend the night. We had to settle for a sub-par accommodation in maybe, Americana Inn. The room was ok, but the neighborhood was shady, to say the least.

Day 2:  We checked in to Liberty Place, a Hilton Club which is right in the heart of Charleston, historic downtown. The check-in process was seamless with valet parking available for it's patron.The place was at 300 ft distance from the Aquarium and the boat ride to Fort Sumter. This place is a foodie's paradise with so many good restaurants and plethora of  dishes to chose from. Please note that no hotels in downtown have pools in their property based on some civic codes. We had our lunch in Hyman Seafood . There was a wait time to get into the restaurant as it was really busy, so during wait time we enjoyed nice cocktails at Doar Bros , which was very refreshing. We enjoyed our food in Hyman's Place and strolled back to our Hilton Club, to relax. In the night we met with our friends who were also visiting Charleston from Delaware for dinner. We wanted to dine in Peninsula Inn , but there was no availability for the night. One thing that I saw here that the good dining had to be reserved online and they get sold out weeks in advance. So if you are visiting Charleston and have some dining plans, reserve a table! We went to Fleet's Landing  which was a decent alternative. The place was buzzing and the fish and shrimp were really fresh. We thoroughly enjoyed the food, laughs and time with friends!

Day 3:  Today we visited Sullivan's Island and our first stop was at Obstinate Daughter . This is one of the charms in the island and serves different foods based on day of your visit. The Rack of lambs was the best I have in any steakhouse/similar restaurants. It was 11:30 am in the morning and the place was full and a long queue had started to form. The food was different and special and satisfied our appetite to it's brim. We visited Fort Moultrie, Sullivan's Island and learned a lot about American history . There was a short film which provided fine details, was very pleasant and informative, too. We also went on to visit the lighthouse, but even in April it was a very hot day, so returned back to rest in our Club. In the night we strolled through the street and visited Marshall's house which is very nice place to stay, as well. We had our dinner at Poogans Porch which have a typical American cuisine.

Day 4:  We started our day in my favorite bakery of the city Saffron , where the items are made to perfection with just the correct amount of sweetness. We tried few pastries abut the roasted nut croissant was special and they get sold out fast.  For lunch we visited 167 Sushi Bar Though the place is highly I have tasted better sushis and I will not visit the place another time. Post lunch we walked to the famous French Quarters of Charleston and loved how the houses were built and maintained even today which seems like have hold the historic vibes for ages. The kids loved the walk and enjoyed the shoreline. We learned more about the Charleston's fascinating history.   We signed off our night starting at with a creepy Ghost Walk which covered few landmarks, narrating some creepy stories. If you are ghost stories fan, you can take one of these ghost tours which starts at 9:30 pm and last for about 2 hrs. I didn't believed any of the stories told to us (though the narrator was engaging), but loved the walk around the landmarks

Day 5:  We visited the market in downtown and loved the small businesses. There is an art gallery as well, within this small market which offers reasonable prices for beautiful pictures, which can enhance your home decor, any given day. We then took a carriage ride right from the market Horse Carriage which took us through all the landmarks of downtown Charleston and was a great relaxing tour. In the afternoon we visited few bars namely Church and Union which have it unique ambience where the bar is within a church. The drink prices are reasonable, but it's hard to get a table without prior reservation. No such reservation was required for our next stop - a rooftop dining at Grill 225 . The views were amazing and they lit up the firehose, as it was getting chilly in the top. We had a reservation in Husk for dinner and we lazily strolled through the streets of downtown to be there in time. Though it is rated one of the best restaurants in Charleston, we didn't liked the food, the ambience and lastly the price in that place. But if you need to find out what the hype about the place is, you can visit the place once. On our way back, our disappointment was quickly relinquished by our visit to Desert Shop , where I had the best milkshake in this part of the country

Day 6: This was our last day in Charleston. We took a boat ride in the morning to Fort Sumter. The history says, as Charleston blazed a path towards secession to preserve slavery, construction on a new fort, Fort Sumter, proceeded around 1776. The boat ride was pleasant and a total 2.5 hours trip. It was. worth a trip as we enjoyed the ancient engagements for warfare. We didn't visited the Aquarium located right next from where the boat departs due to lack of time. We checked out out late and we said adieu to this beautiful place, hoped to be back again soon!

This was a 14 day trip starting from 12th Dec 2021 - Dec 26 2021 and celebrated a warm Christmas in many years

Honululu

Day 1: We decided to take a direct flight to Honululu as we didn't wanted to have any long stop overs. We couldn't find any direct flights from PHL, so we decided to take a United direct flight from Newark Liberty International Airport to HNL, Hawaii.The flight was at 9:05 am(EST), so we needed to start really early around 5:30 am from Delaware. We reserved a parking spot in Standard Economy Parking of the airpot and got the cheapest deal of all the parking options near this airport. It had no hidden Fees, but you have to pay the price upfront. The United flight had movie screens available, which was helpful for this long flight. Luckily we did our breakfast before boarding the plane as there was no food served till 6 hrs into the flight and that was the only time food was served on this flight. There was no additional option of buying food as well which was really tough for someone without breakfast. Otherwise the flight was comfortable and we enjoyed the arrival in Honululu at 3:10pm(HST). We took weekly car rental from Alamo, which provided best price among many other options. We stayed in Great Islander (A Hilton Grand Vacation)  in Waikiki Hawaiian village, which is right on the beach, right at the end. We just explored the Hawaiian village as we were very tired and had diner in Tropical bar n grill (inside the property) which I will not recommend as it was very costly and there was nothing special or local about the food. Please note that as a Hilton Grand Vacation (HGV) owner you will need to pay Parking of 50$ per day as this was the costliest side for Waikiki

Day 2: We visited Pearl Harbor, this Day and embraced the rich history surrounding this place. USS Arizona Memorial is located just a boat ride from the Harbor, but unfortunately it was closed that day due to some maintenance. Instead we took a self guided tour which was nice. There is a museum which explained the famous Pearl Harbor Attack which changed the art of warfare forever. We didn't take the paid tours to submarine as the USS Memorial was not available in the packaged ticket. On our way back went to China town and ate at lams kitchen which had a shabby look but the noodle soup and fried rice was good. The highly rated Lucky belly and Pig and the Lady have been closed and yet to be reopened. That night had a flight to Lihue Airport Kauai from HNL parked car at airport parking -$18 / day. It was a last minute one day trip to Kauai as we wanted to visit mighty Napali Coast. We booked our room 15 mins away from the airport Plantation Hale Suites which is the only hotel which gave us a late checkout of noon. This hotel is not a seaside hotel but provides good accommodation in a decent price. We also arranged babysitter from care.com to take care of the kids as we planned for Napali coast tour. Please note the kids must be 5 years or more to go for any Napali Coast tour. We researched and got the best tour for Napali coast and Nihau from Holo Holo Charters which departs at 6 AM from the coast. This tour gets sold out way in advance, so plan your tour for this particular ride. It was an amazing experience, but the sea can be very bumpy and we had some sea sickness.

Kuai (Day Trip)

Day 3:  The baby sitter was on time and we left for the Napali Coast and Nihau tour from hotel, barely getting 3 hrs of sleep. We reached the Holo Holo office just before departure and after the safety briefing walked straight to the boat. It is advisable to bring your towels or you can buy them from the office. We visited the beautiful Napali Coast and all our trouble to visit  Kauai for 1 day, barely getting any sleep was all worth it and more. It is definitely a must visit place for any tour to Hawaii. The rocks and mountains meeting the ocean is a sight to behold. We also did some snorkelling in this trip and we also went to Nihau the forbidden island. As we went in December, the ocean was very rough. There were huge waves in the middle of the ocean as our boat was riding the wave and falling right into the water creating huge splashes which gave every a roller coaster water ride. This is a 7 hr tour in the ocean and for people prone to sea-sickness, take the required medications to embrace the tour. After the tour I loved the juice and fruit salad in a tiny shop located near the Holo Holo Charters office which refreshed us up, after the long ocean tour. We returned from Lihue to Waikiki in the evening flight and stopped at a sushi place near Target mall in Honolulu, which we loved. In Hawaii, I found best sushis in the country, maybe because of its proximity to Japan

Honolulu Continued

Day 4: We visited the north side of Honolulu an our fist stop was Dole plantation. There was a small line for the train which takes you around the plantation of the largest manufacturer of pineapple in USA. We enjoyed Whipped pineapple ice cream after the ride, but avoided doing lunch in the plantation. We headed towards Haleiwa and stopped at Jenny shrimp truck. The freshly cooked shrimp is one of the highlights of our visit to Haleiwa. We went to Laniakea beach, which is good for turtle watching and surfing. You need to plan to visit a Luau when you Hawaii, to find the rich history and culture of Hawaii natives. We did reservations for Waimea valley luau but missed the Waimea falls, which closes at 4 pm. My tickets did not come with drinks and the drinks were really costly and below par in the Luau. The food was good and we thoroughly enjoyed the narration in the Luau. The Luau ended at 9 PM ish and we headed back to Waikiki which was 45 mins drive.

Day 5: This was our beach day, where we enjoyed the beautiful beach in Waikiki. The beach adjacent to Great Islander was not good, but we walked in the beach all the way to the Sheraton and Royal Hawaiian  the home of Mai Tai. The beach in front of this hotel was awesome, where you just walk 1 mile into the crystal clear blue water of the Pacific. Next time I intend to stay in the Sheraton or the Royal Hawaiian for the beach and proximity to the famous Kalākaua Ave. We had our Mai Tai in Royal Hawaiian which is a signature Hawaiian drink (you will never get the same taste in any other place outside Hawaii) and headed towards Egg n Things which had a long wait time. We went to Furusato and had the best sushi in Hawaii and will highly recommend it. We took a cab from Royal Hawaiian back to our hotel and enjoyed the pool of our resort. In the night, we again went to Kalākaua Ave and enjoyed live performances, Honolulu cookies, fresh sugarcane juice. We had dinner in ramen nakamura where we got seated after a really long wait, but the food was good.

Day 6:  We booked for Atlantis submarine at 10 AM from the Waikiki beach, which is just steps away from Grand Islander. You will board a boat which will take you far into the sea, where the submarine is located. The sight of the submarine was really special as it surfaced up. The submarine goes till about a depth of 100ft and we could see many sea creatures. We carried back lots of good memories from this activity. On our way back to the hotel, we took some pretty pictures with 2 cute macaws and gave some tips to the man who gave us this photo opportunity. Then we had our lunch which was fish and chips from Blue water shrimp in Hawaiian village in the HGV property. By the way, the Hawaiian village is a cool place to hang around in the property with lots of shops, eatery and coffee places. We took a little rest back in our room. In the evening, we walked to the Sheraton hotel and before we hopped on the sunset cruise we booked (Na Hoku 2), the kids swam in the adjacent beach as the water was amazing and not that steep. Na Hoku 2 provides alcohol free but there was no diner or food onboard. We had a good diner in Udon in Kalakua ave, which had a wait time of nearly an hour. We enjoyed 

Day 7:  We went to Hanuma bay, early in the morning.It needs a reservation to enter, it was 8:30-10:30am for us. There are free carts to take the visitors down to the bay or you could hike your way down too. No food /drinks are available in the area below, so better to carry something with you. We snorkelled in the bay and rented our swim gadgets from the kiosk. We took the cart to ride up to the parking , made a quick trip to the visitor center snd then we were ready for lunch. The snorkelling experience was a highlight of our trip to Hawaii where we beautiful fishes in their natural habitat. They have made homes in knee high waters and it seemed we were swimming in an aquarium. Was such a fulfilling experience.  As our time was up, we headed back but then stopped in Harbor Village Cuisine which served fresh foods. We all loved the shrimp fried rice and rated it highly. Next on list was Kualoa Ranch tour at 2:30 pm.I got tickets for Hollywood Movie Sites Tour for my wife while enjoyed the Jurassic Park tour which took  me to all the breathtaking spots where Jurassic Park was filmed. It was a very scenic experience and could relate to many movie sets and many stories from our guide.

Maui

Day 8:  We took an early morning Southwest Flight from Honolulu to Maui which was 40 minute flight. After we reached Maui, we rented a car from the airport and headed to Iao Valley State Monument. Towering emerald peaks guard the lush valley floor of Iao Valley State Park. Located in Central Maui just west of Wailuku, this peaceful 4,000-acre, 10-mile long park is home to one of Maui's most recognizable landmarks, the 1,200-foot Iao Needle. This iconic green-mantled rock outcropping overlooks Iao stream and is an ideal attraction for easy hiking and sightseeing. The hike to see Iao Needle was easy but is not stroller friendly beyond a point.  Then we drove to Haleakala but unfortunately it was very cloudy. Though we drove to the top, we were not able to enjoy any views from the top. The trip was thereby a disappointment as the success totally depends on the weather, which frequently changes at that elevation. We checked-in at Wailea in a non beachfront property called Outrigger. The property was located in a nice place but the nearest beach is about a mile away and the front desk was not that friendly. The accommodation was just right, but wasn't excited by the property, staff or location.

Day 9:  We travelled to Kapalua Coastal Trail on this day and enjoyed the beautiful beaches along the trail. We visited Makena Beach (very serene beach), Kapalua Bay and Namalu Bay. during the day Namalu Bay was a good site for snorkeling as we found many people enjoying the activity in the sea. We also went Lahaina Banyan Court Park and loved the Hawaii Shave Ice, which is must have when you visit Hawaii. Lastly we visited Sheraton Maui and enjoyed the beautiful Sheraton traditional Torch Lighting Ceremony Celebration during sunset over Pacific Ocean. Sheraton Maui is a beachfront property and is one of the better options of stay in Maui, if one can afford it.

Day 10:  Road to Hana. This a must to do item, when you are visiting Maui. The road to the destination was more exciting and adventurous than the destination(Hana) , with multiple stops during the trip and enjoying the Hawaii views from the road. Our first stop was Waianapanapa which was a black beach and it was totally out of this world. We enjoyed the beach for couple of hours and there was a cave created by lava flow and dragged ourselves out of this beautiful beach. We reached Hana and had our lunch in Hana-Maui resort which had good food and drinks. If you want to have a relax Hana tour, staying here for a day will be good option, far away from other side of Maui. It took more than 4 hrs on the road to reach Hana and it is a whole day trip(up and down). We downloaded a road to Hana app for $9.99 and enjoyed the narration at different points of the trip. While coming down we enjoyed fresh walnut banana bread as our desert in Auntie bread

Big Island

Day 11:  This was last day in Maui and had an afternoon flight to Big Island. In the morning we explored the beautiful Wailea beach, where we spent couple of hours. All the beaches in Hawaii are unique in the appearance and beauty. We check-out around noon to fly with Southwest to Big Island. Big Island is my favorite of all the islands I visited , the reason of which I will explain in my subsequent days. We visited the Hilo Market and enjoyed fresh coconut water. We had our lunch at Cafe Pesto, just adjacent to the market. It lived up to its great reputation as it has options for adults as well kids. We wanted to live near Volcano national park and checked in at Volcano Forest Inn. It is really close to Volcano National Park but can do with some renovations. It had a common kitchen area for its patron and but had dampness in its room. We didn't liked it much. We went for dinner to Volcano House, which was only open to the hotel guests. Luckily for us, there was a room available for the next day. I always prefer to stay within a national park when I visit a national park. So though I have my existing reservation which cannot be cancelled, we couldn't let go the experience of staying in Volcano House and reserved it for next day. That led us to enjoy the sumptuous dinner in Volcano House restaurant, which was the highlight of this beautiful start in Hilo

Day 12:  We checked out of Volcano Forest Inn and enjoyed our breakfast in Volcano House. We went to the different places of interest in the national park. All the places are easily walkable and stroller friendly. Please collect the guide map from the office or download the offline nps app to help you navigate around the park. All the points were great forms of nature and we simply got awed by what nature has to offer in this national park. We checked in to Volcano House in the evening and  went out to nearby trails from this beautiful resort.After another great dinner in the National Park we went out to visit the active volcano. We went out by car which was about 3 miles from the resort, but the hike was 3 miles up and down to the point of watching active volcano. We were very tired with all hikes during the day, but my wife really encouraged to complete this hike. We dragged ourselves to the point and was awestruck by the sheer mammoth's of active lava coming out from the core of the earth. It was a sight to behold indeed. The hike back was painful though but there is no gain without pain. I have dreamt of lava during the night's sleep

Day 13: We started the day with some small hikes in the park but it was during lunchtime I was told to visit the Green beach in Big Island. I was reluctant to visit another visit but I am so happy that I still visited the beach. To visit the beach you can drive up to a certain point and then get help of the local to get to the beach, as it is a hidden gem. It took 20 mins of ride through winding and uphill roads by the local and a hike down to reach the beach. This is the best beach I ever visited as the sand was literally green from the mosses that ocean have carried in and the best waves controlled by surrounding mountains. We spent only 45 mins but still it was breathtaking experience, that I will cherish forever. 

Day 14 : We flew to Honolulu to catch our flight back to Newark, NJ

Hawaii is by far, the most beautiful place, we ever visited not for its breathtaking views but the platter of diversity that nature have put in together. We hope to visit back soon

I have been to Walt Disney  World in Orlando, Florida for 4 main Disney attractions - Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Hollywood Studios. I am a fan of Disney Theme Parks as you can say from numerous times I have visited this Parks and I needed to fly out to Florida every time!

Day 1 Magic Kingdom is great for the kids 

Day 2 Animal kingdom is more fun for adults

Day 3 Hollywood studios is for Star Wars Fans

Day 4 Epcot is for Science enthusiasts and explorers