✨From Bangalore's 20°C to Finland's -35°C: Our Dream Euro Trip Itinerary!✨

We had dreamt of celebrating Christmas in Europe, driving through the fairytale-like Alsace region of France, spending New Year's in a quaint, surreal part of the Netherlands, and witnessing the Northern Lights against the magical backdrop of Finnish skies.

2 years ago, we made all of this possible!

Getting a lot of messages for our day wise breakdown of the trip, so here goes our 17 Day itinerary👇🧵
Day 1⃣
✈️ Bangalore🇮🇳 -> Paris🇫🇷
Air France for 2 pax:
💰50K miles + ₹17K taxes
⏲️ 11 hours

🚗 Car Rental: Self-drive from CDG via Liigu Mobile App
💰₹55K for 7 days

🗼 Eiffel Tower Tour: To the top!
💰₹5.3K

🏨 Checked into an Accor Property with Eiffel Tower views
💰8K points + ₹2.6K

🛥️ Seine River Cruise at night
💰₹3K

Lucknow Food Chronicles - 13 Days, 1 City, Endless Flavours!

We visited Lucknow this summer for some work, which got done in just 2 days but we ended up staying 13! Why?
Coz we simply couldn’t get enough of the food and we could only step out at night to avoid the heat!

🧵👇
1. Chacoco, Gomti Nagar

We reached Lucknow in the evening and decided to start with a nearby café - Chacoco, which had great reviews online. We weren’t expecting much, assuming it wouldn’t match the standards of cafés in metro cities. But what a surprise it turned out to be! The food, presentation, and ambience were spot-on. Their menu was creative and experimental, yet everything was executed so well. A delightful start to our trip.

💳 Best Cashback Credit Cards in India (2025)

1⃣PhonePe SBI Black
2⃣HSBC Live+
3⃣Kiwi on UPI
4⃣SBI Cashback
5⃣Axis Cashback
6⃣Axis Airtel
7⃣HDFC Swiggy
8⃣HDFC Tata Neu Infinity

(In no particular order)

Read the thread for cashback rates, monthly caps & links to apply 👇🧵 1⃣PhonePe SBI Black
10% on PhonePe (Recharges, Bills, Flights, Hotels, Pincode) upto ₹2K/month
5% on 1000+ brands (Amazon, Swiggy, Uber etc.) upto ₹2K/month

Apply: sbicard.com/sprint/PhonePe…

How can you get up to 14% rewards on accelerated spends?

With the HDFC Diners Club Privilege - The mid-tier, all-rounder credit card!

👉Base rewards: 1.3%
👉3x–10x on SmartBuy: 4–13.3%
👉Milestone: Extra 1%
👉Easy Redemption via SmartBuy

Here’s the full breakdown👇🧵 🔹 Base Rewards
* 4 RPs per ₹150
* 1 RP ≈ ₹0.5
* 1.3% reward rate
* Exclusions: fuel, EasyEMI, e-wallet loading, rent, property management services, maintenance, packers & movers, etc, govt transactions, online gaming
* Insurance limits: 2000 RP per calendar month (₹75,000 spend)
* Grocery limits: 2000 RP per calendar month (₹75,000 spend)
* 1% fee on Utility above ₹50K spends in a calendar month

Apply here: bitlii.cc/en/QCYua4

How do we get upto 33% rewards on accelerated spends?

We use HDFC Bank Infinia 💳 for this

👉 Base rewards: 3.3%
👉 3x–10x on SmartBuy: 10%–33.3%
👉 Redemption via:
🔸 SmartBuy (flights & hotels)
🔸 Miles Transfer
🔸 Apple
🔸 Tanishq vouchers

Here’s the full breakdown👇🧵 🔹 Base Rewards
* 5 RPs per ₹150 = 3.3%
* 1 RP ≈ ₹1

🔹 SmartBuy Accelerated
* 3X–10X = 10%–33.3%
* Capped at 15,000 RPs/calendar month
= ₹1.125L monthly spend on 5X partners

Why We Picked Finland For Watching Northern Lights?

Because we wanted to be where the legends and fairytales were written – Santa Claus’ official home - Lapland🪄🎅

If chasing the Aurora is on your list – now is the time to start planning.

Here's your 7 day itinerary!🧵👇

We took our Lapland trip in the first week of January.

Day 1 – Arrive in Helsinki

✨Take a direct flight from Delhi to Helsinki (Finnair).

✨Rest and explore Helsinki’s stunning architecture, Christmas markets (if Dec), and the Oodi library.

✨Try traditional Finnish food at Savotta or Lappi Ravintola.

(You can leave for Rovaniemi on the same night by an overnight train - Santa Claus Express).

🧵 How can you get 12–35% rewards on accelerated spends?

With the HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Metal 💳

👉 Base rewards: 3.3%
👉 3x–10x on SmartBuy: 10%–33.3%
👉 Quarterly milestone: 10K points on ₹4L spend = extra 2.5%
👉 Easy Redemption via:
  🔸 SmartBuy (flights & hotels) ✈️🏨
  🔸 Miles Transfer ✈️🏨

Here’s the full breakdown👇 🔹 Base Rewards
* 5 RPs per ₹150 = 3.3%
* 1 RP ≈ ₹1

🔹 Weekend Dining Perks
* 2X rewards = 6.6% back
* Capped at 1,000 RPs/day

🔹 SmartBuy Accelerated
* 3X–10X = 10%–33.3%
* Capped at 10,000 RPs/calendar month

Our Philippine Saga: A Curated 10-Day Itinerary!

After so many DMs, our 20-day travel is now a 10-day plan for you!

With visa-free entry for Indians (14 days), it is even more convenient now.

We’ve distilled our epic trip into a shorter, magical itinerary just for you! 🧵👇
Day 1: Welcome to Cebu & Moalboal's Coastal Charms

* Morning/Afternoon: Arrive in Cebu (ideally via a morning flight to maximize your day!). From Cebu airport, skip the city hustle and head straight for a picturesque 2-3 hour drive to Moalboal. We found that pre-booking a cab for this journey made it seamless after a long flight.

* Late Afternoon: Settle into your accommodation in Moalboal. We absolutely loved staying in a cozy Airbnb tucked away from the main hustle – it offered us that tranquil, authentic Filipino welcome we cherished. Take a moment to breathe in the fresh coastal air.

* Evening: It's time to explore Panagsama Beach, the lively heart of Moalboal! While it's bustling, it has a great vibe. Follow our lead and treat yourselves to delicious sushi and refreshing daiquiris at one of the beachfront spots. If you're up for it, find a café with live music – we stumbled upon one famous for its mango French toast and chicken shawarma, a truly unique combo!

A Philippine Love Story: How We Spent 20 Days In Paradise! 🏝️✨🐳

What happens when you spend three weeks in paradise? You wake up to birdsong in a jungle villa, dive into crystal-clear blue and green waters with sea turtles and whale sharks, watch the sunsets paint the sky in hues of pink and orange, and find yourself completely alone on a secret sandbar in the middle of the ocean. The Philippines was a paradise that continually surprised us, inviting us to keep exploring deeper into its heart. Oh, and somewhere in between, there were canyoneering, forests glittering with fireflies, the best pizza, sushi, and ice cream of your life, and a surprise proposal at sunset!

This trip had it all—thrill, tranquility, romance, the warmest Filipino hospitality and pure magic!

Here’s our 20 day itinerary 👇✨
Day 1 - Welcome to Cebu

We took a flight from Bangalore via Singapore and landed in Cebu, and settle into our cozy Airbnb. After a long journey, we just wanted to relax, soak in the tropical vibes, and prepare for the adventures ahead.

Singapore Airlines for two: 40K miles + ₹7K

📍11-Day Honeymoon Itinerary in Türkiye: An Enchanting Blend of Adventure & Romance 🇹🇷

Lately, we’re getting tons of honeymoon itinerary requests, and our top recommendation is always Türkiye! Not only did we have our honeymoon there last year, but with the Turkish Lira even more favorable now, it’s an incredible option for an unforgettable experience. 💍✨

Here’s our day-by-day itinerary for an 11-day honeymoon in Türkiye, filled with charm, relaxation, and unique experiences! 👇🧵
Day 1: Arrival in Istanbul - Where the East Meets the West 🕌

Flight: From Delhi to Istanbul (7 hrs). ✈️

Stay: A historic Ottoman mansion in Sultanahmet, putting us at the heart of old Istanbul.

Highlights:
👉Hagia Sophia – A mesmerizing start to our trip, just a short walk from our hotel. 🕌
👉Marbella Terrace – A perfect sea-view café for a delicious early dinner. 🌊🍽️
👉Evening Stroll: Wandered the charming streets of Sultanahmet, exploring local markets under the city lights. 🌙🛍️

How did we spend two days in Agra?

Sanket had long promised to take Manasi to the Taj Mahal, as she had never seen its majestic beauty up close. So, when we planned a trip to Delhi, we seized the opportunity to spend two days in Agra.

Buckle up for our Agra story👇🧵
We left Delhi around 11 am, cruising down the Yamuna Expressway. It was a smooth 4-hour drive, with a quick stop at Jolly Go, a food court, where we grabbed a bite and coffee at Starbucks to keep us going.

🚶‍♂️ Why choose Bastar, Chhattisgarh for your next trip? 🏞️

Winter is around the corner, and what better time to explore India's hidden gem—Bastar!

🌿A perfect mix of nature, culture, and heritage.

Here's a 6-day, 5-night itinerary to experience the magic of Bastar 👇🧵
Day 1: Jagdalpur

✈️ Reach Jagdalpur by noon (direct flights from Hyderabad & Raipur, connections from Delhi).

🛍️ Explore Jagdalpur’s vibrant markets, visit Maa Danteshwari temple, and check out the craft village.

🚶‍♀️ Take a heritage walk with a local guide.

How did we spend 30 days in Bastar? 🌿✨

We wrapped up 30 days in the magical land of Bastar, and it's hard to put into words how incredible the experience was! Time slowed down, and so did we, living in harmony with nature and embracing the beauty of simplicity.

Let us tell you how it changed us and why you need to add Bastar to your travel list! 👇🧵
Every morning, we woke up to the sounds of birds and hens.

🐦 The crisp air, filled with nature's melodies, made us realize how detached we’d become from these simple joys. Our mornings started with blue tea, hand-brewed with chickpea flowers from the garden.

🌸 Imagine sipping that while watching butterflies flit by, feeling your mind declutter with every breath of fresh air.

✨From Bangalore's 20°C to Finland's -35°C: Our Dream Euro Trip Itinerary!✨

We had dreamt of celebrating Christmas in Europe, driving through the fairytale-like Alsace region of France, spending New Year's in a quaint, surreal part of the Netherlands, and witnessing the Northern Lights against the magical backdrop of Finnish skies.

Last year, we made all of this possible!

Getting a lot of messages for our day wise breakdown of the trip, so here goes our 17 Day itinerary👇🧵
Day 1⃣
✈️ Bangalore🇮🇳 -> Paris🇫🇷
Air France for 2 pax:
💰50K miles + ₹17K taxes
⏲️ 11 hours

🚗 Car Rental: Self-drive from CDG via Liigu Mobile App
💰₹55K for 7 days

🗼 Eiffel Tower Tour: To the top!
💰₹5.3K

🏨 Checked into an Accor Property with Eiffel Tower views
💰8K points + ₹2.6K

🛥️ Seine River Cruise at night
💰₹3K

A SIMPLE AND DETAILED GUIDE ON ACCOR PLUS 🏨🍽️

With the HDFC offer of Accor plus Explorer @ 7.5K Accor points instead of 12K, there are many questions about the same. We’ll try to answer the questions so that you can make an informed decision.

Topics covered:
1. Types of Accor plus memberships
2. Universal Benefits
3. Vouchers for Bangalore area
4. Stay plus complimentary Night

Buckle up for a long thread of all things Accor plus! Types of Accor plus memberships:

1️⃣Traveller:
👉Only Universal benefits

💰Price: ₹11.8K
💰Offer Price: ₹8.26K

2️⃣Explorer:
👉Universal benefits
👉Stay plus complimentary night
👉Dining & accommodation discount vouchers

💰Price: 12K Accor points/ ₹16.5K
💰Offer price: ₹14.9K
💰HDFC offer price: 7.5K Accor points
👉Only valid for new memberships
👉Valid till 28 July, 2024
👉Link :

Validity: 1 yearaccorplus.com/in/hdfc-exclus…

From Bangalore's 40°C Heat to 0°C Chill: Our Great Escape!

Fed up with the relentless Bangalore heat, we decided to escape to the mountains. 🏔️

Eager to explore new places, Manasi chose the charming hills of Darjeeling and Kalimpong for Sanket, while Sanket was excited to unveil the breathtaking beauty of North Sikkim to Manasi.

Our adventure was set: from sweltering 40 degrees Celsius to a refreshing 0 degrees, we were ready to discover the magic of these mountain paradises together.

Buckle up for our 10 day itinerary 👇

Day 1⃣
✈️Bangalore -> Bagdogra
Indigo Flight for 2 pax
💰₹19.8K
⏲️3 hours

👉Booked it through Infinia reward points(70%) and got 16.5% (5x) reward points on rest 30% as well.

🚗Took a cab from Bagdogra to Darjeeling
💰₹2.2K
⏲️3 hours

👉Checked into an @Airbnb in Alubari village, 3 km from Darjeeling town.

👉Walked 3 km downhill to the town but had to take a local taxi to get back to our stay.

👉Went to the legendary Keventer's Cafe.
Tried their famous Cutlets and Burgers, but it wasn't as good as it used to be many years ago.

👉Visited Manasi's favourite place in Darjeeling - Oxford Bookstore and bought a few books and stationaries.

Why we chose Türkiye🇹🇷 for our honeymoon?

Together, Istanbul, Cappadocia, Antalya and Kaş provide a perfect mix of urban excitement, natural wonder, diverse mouthwatering cuisine😋 and serene beach relaxation🏖️, creating a well-rounded and unforgettable honeymoon experience.

Find all the details from our trip in the thread below👇 How did we reach Türkiye🇹🇷? (Feb 2023)

✈️Delhi🇮🇳 <-> Istanbul🇹🇷
Indigo Return Flight for 2 pax
💰₹97.3K
⏲️ 7 hours

Booking through Magnus via Travel Edge portal.

How do we redeem our Infinia RPs?

👉 Until redeemed, all points are just monopoly money.
So, EARN & BURN! 🔥

👉 3 years validity.

👉 RPs nullify if card not used for 1 year.

👉 Easy redemptions
🔸Smartbuy ✈️🏨
🔸Miles Transfer ✈️🏨
🔸Apple Products 📱💻
🔸Tanishq vouchers 💍🪙

(1/n) How to redeem RPs on Smartbuy?

👉Bookings for ✈️🏨

👉 Apple products 📱💻

👉 Tanishq vouchers 💍🪙

🔸 1 RP = ₹ 1

🔸 <=70% of the total bill is redeemable using RPs.

🔸 Remaining will get 5x(16.5%) RPs as usual.

(2/n)