Work Hard and Travel Harder says Deepika Amin

Traveling for me is an escape, entertainment and education. Some moments away from our hectic life gives us a fresher perspective. And of course, we all deserve some fun-time and more to learn. Travel is my only indulgence, I don’t really hanker after designer clothes or jewellery. At any point of time, I’m saving and planning for my next trip. Traveling is like a payoff for all my hard work.

Distinct elements of diversity in India such as philosophy, cuisines, languages, art forms have a profound impact on our cultural exquisiteness. It’s vast enough that even a lifetime is not enough to explore India completely. No other country is blessed with such diversity in landscapes and architecture. India offers such varied experiences for the traveler to cherish and evolve.

I recently attended the Jaipur Literature Festival. Held at the Diggi Palace in Jaipur, it is truly a feast for the senses. Visual, artistic and intellectual; indeed the most splendid experience as it’s the world’s largest free literary festival. I have also attended and participated in many theatre festivals in India, such as Hyderabad, Dehradun and Lucknow. Last year I attended The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, it’s a haven for theatre lovers. What a great experience that was.

Delhi is a beautiful city with an opulent history and abounding heritage. Wide roads, greenery and gracious monuments, it truly deserves to be the capital of the country. I have a lot of friends there and I love to visit the capital city whenever I get the chance.

I have been very fortunate to have travelled across India for shooting and theatre. I was recently in Lucknow for a month for a film and had a wonderful time exploring the city, eating and shopping. Another series was shot in Bikaner and it was a magical experience as we lived in and shot in actual palaces. I went to Siliguri for a film shoot and I got an opportunity to explore Kalimpong as it was in close proximity to where we were shooting. I have been to Shimla and also, Varanasi for shooting and whenever I got time off, I would set off to explore.

I have performed plays all over India & some memorable trips were Guwahati, where we went on a cruise on the Brahmaputra river. Another great experience was visiting the Golden Temple in Amritsar and the Wagah border.

I keep it simple, light and basic. Money, phone, comfortable clothes and shoes and I am good to travel. A large scarf is handy against the sun and also works as a light wrap if it gets chilly.

Any place is a good place if traveled with friends. I visited Leh Ladakh with my gang of girls last year and it was an amazing trip. The landscapes were surreal and it was quite an adventure. Recently, I and my friends went for a fun weekend to Sula Vineyards in Nasik and it was quite an experience to taste all sorts of wine in the company of your happy bunch.

I pick a lot of stuff while traveling to different places and I can vouch for Jaipur as the best place to shop for ethnic clothes, jewelry and mojaris. Also, I feel that Lucknow and Delhi are top-notch shopping destinations in India.

When I was a child, my parents and I went on many driving holidays to Mussoorie, Nainital and Dalhousie. My love for travel is shared by my husband and daughter. We did a long road trip when we went to South India where we covered Munnar, Thekkady, Kochi, etc by road. Another extremely exciting trip for me was the Amarnath Yatra where I was accompanied by my mother and daughter. It was an experience of a lifetime.

: 3 Travel Essentials

Phone, Charger & Money.

: One place from where you felt nothing is far?

Alaska – the vast wilderness makes you feel one with nature. Also in Petra, Jordan – seeing the wonders of the ancient world standing there before you even today made me feel nothing is far.

: Travel solo, with family or friends?

I enjoy travelling alone, and with others too. But having like-minded companions is very important.

: Which destination in India comes first to your mind?

Dharamsala and Hampi – because I want to go there next.

: Your favourite piece of Indian Handicraft?

Silver jewellery and handlooms.

: What's been the best street food you've had?

Chaat and Chole Bhature in Delhi

: Makeup or Clothes, what will you drop if you have excess baggage?

I carry minimum makeup when I travel and I pack sensibly. So it’s unlikely for me to have excess baggage.

: Circuit Planner or Travel Agent?

Circuit Planner and Google. I love planning and reading up about the place I’m visiting. I do a lot of research and have an Excel sheet prepared with travel routes and itineraries. I enjoy planning as much as the trip itself. I’m mentally in the travel zone long before the journey begins.

: Your favorite thing to do when you travel?

I try to have an all-round experience. Sightseeing, absorbing the history, eating the local cuisine, a little shopping but most importantly I ensure there is time to chill and relax also.

: Which destination did you google last?

Russia and Norway – because I want to go there next.