Instead of bickering over your trip plan, here’s an easy couple’s guide to make travel stress-free and bond well.

Trip planning should not ideally follow a one-size-fits-all approach, with generic itineraries and copy-paste schedules, sightseeing spots. The plan depends on the family size: be it a multigenerational family with kids and grandparents, a solo traveller, or parents with little children. Likewise, a couple’s trip needs to prioritise planning that includes fun, intimate time together for relaxation and bonding.

Heniel Rupaarelia, founder and managing director at ETrav Tech Ltd, shared  five tips for couples on how to plan their trips:

1. Make it experience-first

• Select destinations that combine romance with light adventure, such as beaches, hillside retreats or cultural hubs, where mornings might mean hiking misty trails and evenings end with wine by the ocean. Replace rigid timetables with freedom.
• Renting bicycles in safe areas offers spontaneity and shared exploration in a way private cars rarely can.
• Keep at least one day unscheduled and plan a spontaneous visit to a local cafe, a hidden waterfall or a market unknown to guidebooks.

2. Budget smart, not tight

• Blend indulgence with authenticity. Splurge on a scenic fine-dining experience but balance it with street food walks or local market tastings, which often reveal the most memorable flavours and stories.
• Keep a flexible budget with a buffer for last-minute opportunities such as a surprise couple’s spa treatment, a private sunset sail or an offbeat cultural tour.
• Skip the expensive glamour of Paris or London in peak season and instead, enjoy Vietnam’s charming cafes, Sri Lanka’s coastal escapes or Croatia’s romantic old towns at a fraction of the price with double the charm.

3. Balance sightseeing and downtime

• It’s tempting to load the itinerary with every ‘must-see’, but overplanning can erode the very connection you’re travelling to nurture.
• Trips with one to two planned activities per day have turned out to be more fruitful than those with three or more.
• Build in slow mornings, unhurried meals and unstructured afternoons. Use in-between moments to share a coffee on a balcony, to spend a lazy afternoon in a hammock or to take a romantic stroll.

4. Divide responsibilities to avoid burnout

• Planning fatigue is real, and putting the entire burden on one partner risks imbalance.
• The most efficient travel pairs adopt a split-and-conquer model. One handles flights, visas and core bookings, while the other shortlists hotels based on location, safety and ambience.
• Assigning roles such as food scout or map master not only divides the workload but turns planning into a joint adventure.

5. Choose destinations that strengthen the bond

• Tourist-friendly hubs like Bali, Portugal or Japan offer the right mix of beauty, culture and ease of movement, all extremely crucial for a stress-free bonding. Avoid regions with safety concerns unless both are seasoned travellers.
• Travel season matters, too. Shoulder seasons like April in Greece or September in Japan offer lower prices, fewer crowds and more space for intimacy. For couples travelling from India, short-haul destinations like the Maldives, Bhutan or Thailand provide seamless escapes without long layovers.
• Design the trip to match your shared energy. Ubud in Bali offers couples’ spas and jungle views, Lake Bled in Slovenia delivers fairy-tale tranquillity and Hoi An in Vietnam charms with lantern-lit evenings.

Experience is paramount on a couple’s trip, slow, intimate moments which outshine the otherwise packed itineraries. From spontaneous detours to leisurely beginning the day with breakfast in bed, travelling for a couple is a good way to connect, especially for the new ones.

Planning a girls’ trip to Goa? Prioritize safety and create lasting memories by arranging group activities like boat rides and cooking classes. Choose women-friendly nightlife spots, rent reliable transportation, and book accommodation in lively areas. Stay connected, share your itinerary, and carry a first-aid kit for a secure and unforgettable experience.

A girls’ trip to Goa is one of those bucket-list experiences that almost every friend group dreams of. While overcoming all the hurdles like convincing parents, to planning right, to booking hotels, there can still be many aspects that one needs to cover before heading out. To help you sort this, we have curated a list of tips that one keep handy for a safe and memorable experience. Let’s take a look at the tips:

Arrange group activities

One should book activities that are group-focused as it deepens the bond. Go for activities like boat rides to nearby islands or places where one can sight dolphins, go for spice plantation tours which depict the place’s rich agricultural heritage, or get your group involved in a cooking class where all of you will learn more about a new cuisine. These are immersive experiences one can try other than partying and chilling at the beach. It is important that one books these tours through a trusted operator to ensure safety and quality.

Choose nightlife spots that are women-friendly and safe

It is important that one chooses clubs where all the girls can enjoy safely in a lively atmosphere with good service and music. Thalassa in Siolim is known for its vibrant dance performances and welcoming vibe with free entry for women.

While clubbing, one should stay with their friends and not stay alone, and make sure that their drinks are safe. Most importantly, pre-arrange your travel back to the accommodation to avoid any risks late at night.

Renting transportation for flexibility and safety

Rent scooters or cars for easy travel all over Goa. This will help you easily explore all popular options without any worries or limitations. Scooters would give you the freedom to explore underrated beaches and places in the daytime, while cars are safer for travel at night. Always carry your valid driver’s license, wear helmets on scooters, and prioritize reputable rental services.

Choose safe and comfortable accommodation

Prefer hotels, resorts, or private villas that are located in more popular and lively areas like Calangute, Baga, and Morjim. Since these areas are mostly crowded, they ensure good security and also offer easy access to beaches and nightlife. Opt for budget-friendly hotels and resorts and always check the reviews of the place for better safety.

Use reliable digital tools

It is better to be prepared than sorry, so it is advisable to download offline navigation apps and maps beforehand as one might face network issues in some areas. Having a local SIM card or portable Wi-Fi allows easy coordination within your group and quick access to emergency contacts or booking confirmations. Carrying a power bank ensures continuous device use during long sightseeing or beach days.

Stay connected and share itinerary

Share your plans for the day with a trusted friend or a family member who is not there with you on the trip. This measure allows you better safety and one can easily aid in quick response during emergencies. Keep phones charged and switch on location sharing with group members. Designate meeting points in crowded events or if someone gets separated to minimize confusion.

Carry a first aid kit

It is advisable to carry a first aid kit with band-aids, antiseptic cream, pain relievers, and any personal medications. Keeping a mosquito repellent is also advisable. This would help you be prepared for any situation that comes.

Explore iPhone’s Photos app for travel photography and passport size photos. Use Live Stickers, browse by location, and identify landmarks with Visual Look Up. Enhance travel memories with animations and effects.

Summer is here! With sunny skies and warm weather, it’s the perfect time to pack your bags and explore new places. Whether you’re jetting off to a far-flung destination or taking a road trip closer to home, capturing those travel memories is essential. Here’s a guide that will show you how to use your iPhone’s built-in Photos app to take your travel photography to the next level.

How to use iPhone Camera for passport size photos

If you are applying for a visa, you need passport size photos. While it is always recommended to visit a studio for a professional photo, you can also use an iPhone to do the same work in case of emergency.

• Get a friend, family member, or use a tripod to take a well-lit photo on your iPhone.
• Make sure nothing covers your face and switch your phone to Light Mode.
• Tap and hold on the subject in the photo to separate from the background.
• Copy and paste this image into a new note in Notes.
• In Notes, take a screenshot of the image and open it in Photos.
• Edit and crop the screenshot.
• Use the rectangular icon in the top right corner to choose your desired aspect ratio.
• Adjust the image to ensure you’re fully in frame.
• Hit Done, and your new ID photo is ready to upload.

How to use Live Stickers in photos

iPhone users can breathe life into their travel photos with Live Stickers.

• Open the Photos app and tap a photo to view it full screen.
• Touch and hold to trace around yourself, then tap “Add Sticker.”
• Choose animations or effects and share them in Messages, add them to other photos, or use them on social media.

How to find image in Photos app

iPhone users can quickly browse photos by location in the Places album.

• Select a location on the map to see all your photos taken there.
• They can also use Visual Look Up to identify landmarks, art, and plants while exploring a new city.
• Take a picture of what you want to identify and open it in Photos.
• Look for the Info button at the bottom (circle with an “i” inside).
• If information is available (for plants, pets, landmarks, etc.), a star symbol will appear.
• Tap the Info button, then “Look Up” at the top of the photo information to discover more.
• Visual Look Up works for videos too! Just pause a video on any frame and tap the Info button.

A new report by Expedia reveals some top tips to help maximize your savings in 2025

Do you know the best day to book your next flight to save money? Or what month is the cheapest to travel? Every dollar counts when you’re planning your next vacation. Expedia just released its 2025 Air Hack Report with several tips for maximizing your savings when booking air travel.

The report is an analysis of billions of data points and an extensive air ticketing database, through a collaboration with Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC) and Official Airline Guide (OAG). It offers useful insights for travellers looking for the best travel deals.

Book your trip on Sunday

What day of the week you book your flight on doesn’t really matter. Or does it? It’s a myth that still persists despite evidence from ARC’s global airline sales database which says that booking on a Sunday can keep more money in your wallet. It can save you up to 10 per cent compared to booking on a Friday, according to the report.

Book ahead, but not too far ahead

There’s a sweet spot when it comes to booking ahead. Booking too far in advance can mean you’ll likely pay more. According to ARC, travellers who book between 63 and 72 days before departure saved 44 per cent on domestic flights compared to those who booked just a few days before leaving.

When booking international flights, you can maximize your savings by booking 43 to 54 days ahead of departure. The worst time to book — especially for international flights — is between six and 12 days in advance of your trip.

The day of the week you leave can save you money

The day of the you choose for departure can save you money. In fact, leaving on a Thursday for international travel can save you up to 8 per cent, compared to those who depart on a Sunday — the most expensive travel day. Domestic flights were cheapest on a Friday, saving you up to 23 per cent, compared to Monday — the priciest day for domestic travel.

Travel during the summer months

It’s a myth that summer is the most expensive travel period. According to ARC’s data, July is the cheapest month for economy tickets. You can save up to 11 per cent by travelling in July compared to March — the most expensive month.

It’s also the cheapest month for premium flight tickets, so if you’re considering upgrading, this is the month to do it. If you’re looking for premium, you might want to avoid September — the most expensive month for premium tickets.

“The peak of summer is the cheapest month to fly, and booking too far out can actually cost you money — these realities fly in the face of advice floating around the internet,” said Melanie Fish, head of Expedia Group Brands public relations. “It makes sense to trust the billions of data points from across the world and every airline that go into the Expedia Air Hacks report.”

Take advantage of price tracking tools

Many travel websites like Expedia, have price tracking tools which can alert travellers to price changes or when to book to get the most savings.

Bundle your travel services

Websites, like Expedia, offer a wide variety of travel products — flights, car rentals, hotels and even some recreational activities. It can be cheaper to book them all together. Booking them through the same service can save you money. It also makes it easier to keep track of your itinerary.

Travel is a one-of-a-kind experience — whether you’re investigating a new destination close to home or travelling across the globe. Make every dollar count, wherever you’re headed in 2025.