Hi, I'm Ben, and together with my wife Ava, we've spent years travelling the world. Every country has taught us something different, but India always felt like the one destination that was simply too big to plan on our own. Every travel guide suggested a different route, every blog recommended different places, and the more research I did, the more confused I became.
We had five weeks before continuing our journey to Sri Lanka, and we knew we didn't want to rush through India. We weren't interested in ticking famous landmarks off a list. Instead, we wanted to experience everyday life, discover small towns, meet local people, eat regional food, and travel at a pace that allowed us to truly understand a place rather than simply passing through it.
That's when we reached out to GoPlanOut. Instead of offering a fixed itinerary, they took the time to understand how we liked to travel. We spoke about our love for slow travel, local experiences, nature, history, and food. Rather than planning a trip around attractions, they helped us build a journey around experiences, and that made all the difference.
From Coastal Villages to Ancient Kingdoms
Our adventure began on the west coast in Goa before continuing through Gokarna, Udupi, Coorg, Mysore, Hampi, Bengaluru, Kerala, Madurai, Pondicherry, and finally Chennai before flying onwards to Sri Lanka. What amazed us most wasn't just the destinations themselves, but how every few days it felt as though we had entered a completely different world. The language changed, the food changed, the architecture changed, and every region welcomed us with its own traditions and personality.
Some of our favourite memories came from places we had never even planned to visit. We often stopped at tiny roadside cafés for breakfast, wandered through villages where people greeted us with warm smiles, and spent hours talking to locals who were curious about where we had come from. Those spontaneous conversations became just as memorable as the famous places themselves.
Hampi completely exceeded our expectations. Walking through ancient ruins surrounded by enormous boulders felt almost surreal, while cycling through the historic landscape during sunset made us feel as though we had travelled back in time. Mysore offered a completely different experience with its magnificent palace and colourful markets, while Coorg's misty hills and coffee plantations reminded us how incredibly diverse South India truly is.
Food, Conversations, and Everyday India
One thing we hadn't expected to fall in love with was the food. Every state introduced us to completely different flavours. Our mornings usually started with soft idlis, crispy dosas, and freshly brewed South Indian filter coffee, while every lunch and dinner became an opportunity to discover another regional speciality.
Some of our favourite meals weren't found in famous restaurants but in small family-run eateries tucked away in villages and quiet streets. Those simple meals, served with genuine hospitality, became some of the most memorable moments of our journey.
Kerala quickly became another favourite. From wandering through the historic streets of Kochi to relaxing along the peaceful backwaters of Alappuzha and watching sunsets in Varkala, every destination encouraged us to slow down. It reminded us that the best travel experiences aren't always about doing more—they're often about giving yourself permission to do less.
More Than a Travel Company
Towards the end of our journey, we finally met the Planout team in Bengaluru. After weeks of messages, recommendations, and planning from a distance, it felt less like meeting a travel company and more like catching up with old friends.
They introduced us to hidden cafés, local neighbourhoods, and Bengaluru's famous craft beer scene—places we would never have discovered on our own. We spent the evening sharing stories from the past five weeks, laughing about unexpected moments, and talking about everything we'd experienced across South India.
That evening perfectly reflected what this journey had become. It was never just about destinations. It was about the people who helped shape the experience along the way.
What South India Gave Us
When Ava and I boarded our flight to Sri Lanka after thirty-six unforgettable days, we realised we weren't thinking about how many places we'd visited.
Instead, we were remembering the conversations over chai, the peaceful mornings in Coorg, the timeless beauty of Hampi, the calm backwaters of Kerala, the warmth of strangers, and the feeling of travelling without constantly looking at the clock.
South India reminded us that every destination has its own rhythm. It taught us to slow down, leave room for unexpected moments, and appreciate the experiences that can't be planned.
India didn't just give us another holiday.
It reminded us why we fell in love with travelling in the first place.
And we already know we'll be back.
