Published in the Sunday Sakal on 13 July 2025
"Veena, you’re going to Mauritius—your events will be in the evenings, right? What will you do during the day? Our friend Prashant Bapat is there—do meet him," advised Sudhir.
"Sure! I’ll definitely meet Prashant, Prachi, and their little one—Anandita," I replied.
We fixed the date and decided to meet for lunch at the resort where I was staying. Veena World had large Senior’s Special and Women’s Special groups in Mauritius at the time, so my schedule included meeting them and conducting their evening events.
The day to meet Prashant’s family arrived. I requested a nice table at the restaurant. The F&B manager asked, “How many people?”
“Three—mother, father, and a little daughter,” I said.
“Oh no!” came his dismayed response.
“What happened?” I asked, surprised.
He explained, “This resort doesn’t allow children. It’s an Adults Only property.”
Oh no—Prashant was probably already on his way. I hadn’t realized it, nor had I informed our associates at the resort. Had I done so, they might have warned me. It was my mistake, and now it needed an urgent fix.
It was time to make a humble request. Since we often fall under the CIP (Commercially Important Person) category, the manager grasped the gravity of the situation and began thinking of a solution himself. You might think, “What’s the big deal?”—but these superior-category resorts are booked by international clients because they are child-free. That’s often the first preference of their guests. Even the sound of a child’s laughter or crying could prompt a guest to take legal action against the hotel.
The manager offered a workaround: “Let’s quietly take them to our second restaurant—it’s usually less crowded in the afternoon. I’ll reserve a nice, secluded table for you. Just one request—please ensure the baby doesn’t cry.”
What an awkward situation to be in after inviting someone to lunch with such joy. But nothing more could be done. I thanked the manager and explained everything to Prashant once he arrived.
Lunch went well. Little Anandita behaved like a sweet, sensible child. But my guilty conscience lingered long after the meal ended.
Not every situation is as simple as raat gayi baat gayi (let bygones be bygones). Even now, years later, writing this memory brings up the thought—how could I forget such a basic thing?
But maybe, now that I’ve shared this with all of you, that lingering guilt will finally leave me.
Often, something happens—good or bad—and we learn from it or find a new idea from it. That afternoon, I began researching how many Adults Only resorts exist in Mauritius, what their philosophy is, and what kind of mindset those tourists have.
It turns out, the guest psychology goes:
"We seek peace and solitude—we’ve fulfilled our worldly duties. Now let us live our lives. We don’t want to see children or grandchildren during this vacation. Let’s celebrate togetherness."
And so, the Adults Only tag was born and supported by resorts and hotels. Places like Mauritius, Maldives, Bali, Santorini, Caribbean islands, and hotel chains like Sandals Resorts, Secrets Resorts, Anantara, etc., all offer Adults Only stays.
Hotels noticed this niche in society and built a business on it. As a businessperson myself, I too got an idea from this.
Around the same time, another moment triggered a thought.
I bumped into my friends Shirish and Anju Ganu from Vile Parle who had just returned from Jaipur.
“How was the holiday?” I asked.
Anju replied, “It was the first time we left the kids behind. We’re usually so wrapped up in family life that when it was just the two of us, we didn’t even know what to do.”
That wasn’t just her problem—it’s a shared mindset of our entire Indian generation.
Even when the children are grown and living their own lives, as parents we carry this guilt.
Our culture is deeply rooted in emotional ties and responsibilities—and yes, we’re proud of it. But the newer generations, I believe, "jeevan unhe zyada samajh aaya hai" (they’ve understood life better than us).
Anju’s words, combined with the Mauritius episode, led to the birth of a new tour category at Veena World: ‘Couples Only’ Tours.
Initially, we called it ‘Jubilee Special’, later changed to ‘Couples Only’.
Now, we’re considering going back to calling it Jubilee Special—but with a twist. Why wait for silver or golden jubilees to celebrate togetherness?
Why not live by the thought:
"Every day is a celebration."
Once we’ve fulfilled our duties, raised our kids, and given our all—it’s time to reward ourselves.
Who else will pamper us, if not we ourselves?
And really—you don’t have to do a thing.
Just “Chalo, bag bharo, nikal pado.”
The rest will be taken care of by Veena World’s expert tour managers, who will fill your journey with exciting experiences, creative moments, and warm memories.
Let’s truly enjoy the celebration of life.
And yes, this timeless ghazal by Jagjit Singh and Chitra Singh always comes to mind:
Us mod se shuru karein
Phir yeh zindagi
Har shay jahan haseen thi,
Hum tum the ajnabi.
Lekar chale the hum jinhein
Jannat ke khwaab the,
Phoolon ke khwaab the,
Woh mohabbat ke khwaab the...
Lekin kahan hai un mein woh
Pehli si dilkashi.
Us mod se shuru karein
Phir yeh zindagi...
Veena World Women’s Special
Travel is truly a chance to breathe freely!
I am Shobhana Deshmukh, a resident of Nagpur. I book my tours through Veena World’s sales partner, Earth Tours and Travels, located in Shivaji Nagar. I’m 68 years old now, and I’ve done around 10 tours with Veena World so far.
My first tour was to Sri Lanka in 2017. We visited Ashok Vatika, the place where Lord Hanuman gave Sita the ring. It was an incredibly moving experience.
Since then, I’ve visited Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Mauritius, Australia, New Zealand, Bali (Indonesia), and Bhutan. I’ve also been to the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and completed a 10-day tour of Europe.
Once, I even went on three tours within a span of two months—that was a bit exhausting, but still, I make it a point to go on at least one international tour every year. These journeys offer a window into diverse cultures.
I once did a tour of Nainital and Mussoorie during the winter months of December–January. The natural beauty there was breathtaking. The Naini Lake, the cold weather—everything felt like a dream.
Veena World’s arrangements are always excellent. Their tour managers take genuine care of every guest with warmth and attention. I choose to travel with Women’s Special Tours because I enjoy the great company. I can be myself, and since I’m with Veena World, even my family has peace of mind.
The fun of traveling with family is different, and traveling solo like this has its own charm and freedom. These tours bring new friendships too. You get to see how different people are, and there’s a lot to learn from that. Many of my travel friends now live in Pune and Mumbai, and I make it a point to meet them when I’m in those cities.
Lately, due to health reasons, I haven’t traveled. But as soon as U.S. visa applications open, I plan to get one and join a tour to America.
For me—and for many women like me—these Women’s Special Tours are a breath of fresh air, and I make the most of that opportunity!
- Shobhana Deshmukh, Nagpur, Maharashtra
Private Holiday Ideas
Season’s Trending: Ladakh
With Veena World Customised Holidays
Imagine this — you're driving through the Himalayas, with nature’s spectacular sights welcoming you on both sides of the road. On one side, deep blue lakes; on the other, towering mountains. Peaceful monasteries along the way, and at night, a sky full of a million twinkling stars!
This is the magical journey of Leh-Ladakh — and now is the best time to experience it!
Veena World brings you a special 9-day private customised Ladakh holiday with Hanle & Tso Moriri for just ₹62,000!
You get your own chauffeur-driven vehicle and the freedom to explore at your own pace, in your own style.
This holiday includes the thrill of Khardung La — the world’s highest motorable road.
Marvel at the changing colours of Pangong Lake, which shift thrice a day — you simply can’t take your eyes off it!
Tso Moriri and Tso Kar are calm, postcard-perfect lakes that radiate serenity.
Explore offbeat routes like Nurpa Pass and Yaya Tso, where adventure reaches a whole new level.
At Hanle Monastery, feel the stillness within — and don’t miss the Astronomical Observatory, a stunning blend of science and nature.
By night, in Merak or Hanle, go on a guided stargazing tour where the entire sky opens up just for you!
Finally, visit Turtuk, a village near the border, known for its unique Balti culture, warm hospitality, and simple way of life — a true heart-stealer.
Right now — from July to September — is the perfect season to visit Ladakh: clear skies, amazing weather, and fully open roads!
This is your moment to travel to this extraordinary destination.
So don’t wait any longer. How many more Ladakh stories will you just like on your friends’ timelines?
Now it’s your turn!
Book your unforgettable Ladakh holiday with Veena World today and experience a magical journey you’ll cherish for a lifetime.
And as always — our expert team is ready to take care of everything for you.
Around the World
Cruise Expeditions
Cruise expeditions are all about travelling the world by sea. In 2023 alone, the cruise tourism industry generated over $154 billion USD in revenue. These voyages typically range from 90 to 270 days, covering numerous countries across all six continents.
There are also residential cruises like The World and MV Narrative, where people buy homes on the ship and travel year-round. These cruise ships become floating cities, complete with gyms, spas, theatres, libraries, medical centres, and top-notch Wi-Fi for those working remotely.
Many travellers opt for expedition cruises to explore remote and extraordinary regions like Antarctica, the Arctic, Alaska, the Amazon River, and Iceland.
Among Indian travellers, Cordelia Cruises are quite popular, operating from Mumbai, Goa, Lakshadweep, and Cochin.
To attract Indian tourists, many cruises now offer Bollywood-style entertainment and Indian cuisine onboard.
Some of the world’s leading cruise brands include Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Celebrity Cruises, and MSC.
So…Would you like to explore the world this way too?
Dekho Apna Desh
Tamil Nadu – The Land of Temples
For those who are passionate about history, Tamil Nadu is truly a treasure trove. This state is also famously known as the ‘Land of Temples’ in India. Tamil Nadu is home to over 38,000 temples, showcasing the art and architectural styles of various ancient dynasties. The state also attracts a large number of foreign tourists.
It is the birthplace of Tamil, one of the world’s oldest living languages. Tamil Nadu boasts a coastline that stretches around 1,076 kilometers. It is the birthplace of the classical Tamil dance form Bharatanatyam, one of India’s seven classical dances, known for its graceful postures and expressive storytelling through gestures and facial expressions.
The Thanjavur (Tanjore) painting, which uses chalk, resin, precious stones, and pearls, is a renowned art form that originated here. The traditional and ancient sport Jallikattu, associated with taming bulls, is held every year during the Pongal festival.
Tamil Nadu is rich in Dravidian-style architecture. The state is also famous for Kanchipuram silk, which finds mention in Hindu mythology.
Mahabalipuram, located along the Coromandel Coast, is a popular heritage site known worldwide for its intricately carved ancient sculptures. Madurai, considered the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu, is famous for the Meenakshi Temple. The Ramanathaswamy Temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, is located here—where Lord Rama is believed to have established the Shivling made by Sita.
Dhanushkodi, another site in the state, is known for its mythological and historical significance. It is believed that Lord Rama built the bridge from here to reach Lanka. The state also houses a famous art gallery of Raja Ravi Varma.
Kanyakumari, the southernmost tip of India’s mainland, is located in Tamil Nadu. The Kanyakumari Temple and Swami Vivekananda Rock Memorial are major attractions here.
Tamil Nadu’s cuisine includes a wide variety of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. Curry leaves and coconut are widely used. The Chettinad cuisine and South Indian breakfasts are very popular. Meals are traditionally served on banana leaves. Famous dishes include dosa, idli, sambar, and rasam, while payasam, sweet pongal, and rava kesari are popular desserts.
So, have you visited this culturally rich and historically significant state yet?
Oh! I Didn’t Know This…
In geography textbooks, we often see water bodies shown in blue on maps. But nature never fails to surprise us with its wonders — and one such marvel is Australia’s incredible pink lakes.
Some lakes in Western Australia are famous for their naturally occurring bubblegum-pink waters. While most lakes around the world get their colors from microorganisms like algae, the pink color in these waters comes from a specific type of microalgae called Dunaliella salina. These microorganisms thrive in salty conditions and produce reddish pigments, giving the water its striking pink hue.
Historically, Pink Lake was a terminal lake in the Lake Warden system. During summer, due to evaporation, the water level decreases, and the salinity increases, resulting in a vivid pink appearance in several lakes across the region.
Australia has more than ten remarkable pink lakes, mainly found in Western Australia and South Australia. These lakes appear more vibrant in dry, sunny weather, and turn dull or pale after rainfall or during cloudy conditions.
Pink lakes are especially popular for aerial photography, best captured through drone flights or small aircraft tours. Many of these lakes lie within national parks or conservation zones, which means visitors may need permits and must follow specific access regulations.
Lakes like Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre are also considered sacred sites, holding deep cultural significance for the Indigenous communities connected to them. Salt extracted from these lakes is used in cosmetic products and food processing.
Recognizing the ecological importance of these lakes, BirdLife International has designated them as Important Bird Areas. The region is home to large populations of hooded plovers and is also a stopover for many migratory birds.
So come, witness this extraordinary natural wonder — in the heart of Australia!
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