Editor ’ s Letter
Off The Beaten Track ...
Travelogues
“ The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes , but in having new eyes .”
— Marcel Proust
Malini Bhupta malini @ outlookindia . com
Travel has to be the most liberating experience I can think of . Meeting new people , listening to local stories and tasting different cuisines is undoubtedly enchanting , but going back in time can teach us many lessons that may be very relevant today .
Last year I went back to Rome and Florence after a good decade . My biggest takeaway was the story of Emperor Nero , who reputedly played the violin while Rome burned . And once the fire subsided , he grabbed land to build a massive pond opposite his palace , with a towering statue of himself in the garden . My enthusiastic guide explained that Roman emperors could rule forever , unlike modern-day representatives who are elected for a fixed term . However , he grinned mischievously and added that the unpopular emperors were murdered . Legend has it that Nero committed suicide after his people revolted .
Gone are the days when an annual holiday meant the mandatory trip to the hometown or village . Today , Indians consider expenditure on holiday travel a necessity ; not a post-retirement luxury . Travel can be much more than just visiting a place and chilling . Celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain believes that if you fall for the tourist traps , you ’ re doing it all wrong . The real pleasure of travel lies in exploring the unexplored , which is perhaps why people are choosing offbeat destinations and even more unusual places to stay , such as ancient churches and monasteries .
While some of us plan meticulously and save money before a vacation , others don ’ t mind taking a loan to visit their dream destinations . Ideally , you should have planned your summer holiday by now . But it still isn ’ t too late ; you can enjoy a trip this summer with some help from the Outlook Money team . My colleagues Priya Nair and Preeti Kulkarni spoke to some avid travellers to see how one can best plan a holiday – either solo or in a group . We also looked at the best ways to fund holidays . Whether you ’ re a budget-conscious traveller or prefer a customised tour , we have something for everyone .
For those who like living on the edge , our holiday package listing includes a couple of options for adventure sports . Don ’ t forget travel insurance – it ’ s critical , especially if you ’ re going overseas . Refer to our story on travel insurance policies to pick the right one , keeping in mind the exclusions before you choose .
Apart from the travel packages , we have our regular features on saving and investing money . Our special feature on Life Planning covers four couples and their financial habits . Money can become a complex issue amongst couples , especially now that more and more women are working . Our feature puts the spotlight on their financial habits and what they can do better to achieve their life goals .
“ When it comes to handling money post-marriage , there ’ s no one-size-fits-all formula that works ,” says Anagh Pal , who spoke to the couples to find out how they handle their finances and work towards their future goals .
Last but not the least , for those who believe they can make quick money in the stock market , we have a story on trading and why it ’ s not for everyone . Brokerages are increasingly offering courses to people who want to learn the complex art of trading . Himali Patel tells you all you need to know before you try your hand at it .
Happy Journey !
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Outlook Money April 2018 www . outlookmoney . com