Five Winters in India: Finding Home, Adventure, and Magic
Some countries just become a part of you and for me India is that place—a land that called me back, winter after winter, long after my guests had gone home from the Med and the summer sun had faded.
Goa: Christmases by the Arabian Sea
Every year, as my season with Thomas Cook closed, I’d sling on my backpack and trade Mediterranean resorts for the soulful sands of South Goa. Palolem Beach became my winter sanctuary: a crescent of palm trees and gentle surf, where Christmas and New Year were celebrated with lifelong friends—locals and expats whose vibrant company became family. Days would begin with chai, afternoons with a swim, and evenings with stories swapped beneath the stars.
When the wanderlust struck, we’d “holiday” north, swapping South Goa’s calm for the colour and vitality of North Goa—once checking into the Hard Rock Hotel for a touch of rock ’n’ roll luxury, a stark (and delightful) contrast to my usual barefoot life.
Trains, Tunnels, and Timeless Ruins
No winter was complete without adventure further afield. Hampi—tumbledown temples set amid otherworldly boulders—was always a highlight. I rode the five-hour train in the very basic class, squeezed in with friendly locals who gleefully shouted through every echoing tunnel. India’s railways are more than a journey; they’re an experience.
But that wasn’t even my longest train ride. On many trips north, I travelled the classic Golden Triangle: flying into Delhi, marvelling at Agra’s Taj Mahal, and winding across Rajasthan’s enchanting heart. Trips to Pushkar, Udaipur, Jaipur, and Jaisalmer meant hopping between rickety buses and meandering trains—the return from Jaisalmer to Delhi stretching to 22 hours (five hours late, of course!) but surrounded by chai chatter and the gorgeous blur of countryside outside the window.
Magical India: A Love That Lasts
India still holds my heart. It is vibrant, unpredictable, joyous, and utterly magical—a place that teaches patience, rewards curiosity, and offers a new story around every corner.
Now, as I welcome clients into my own travel business, I carry not just my memories but the wisdom and connections shaped by each of those five transformative winters. Whether you’re dreaming of Goan beaches, desert safaris, or a train adventure across Rajasthan, I’d love for you to discover India’s magic through the eyes of someone who’s truly lived it.
Ready to find your own India? Contact me to start planning your unforgettable journey.
