Travel

Me, Pradnya Atre, a certified life coach and founder of HappyQuest, chose a train ride instead of flying to visit the New Delhi World Book Fair 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in Pragati Maidan. As the author of 60 Tiny Shifts, One New You, One Micro-Change at a Time, this trip went beyond my book launch and buying books. It turned into a journey full of real people, life lessons, and new ideas for my Mumbai workshops on mindfulness, goal-setting, and personal growth. Every shake of the train felt like the small changes I teach my clients. Train Ride to Delhi: Meeting School Kids and Their Teacher My trip started on a cool January morning at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. I boarded the 3A AC coach of the Mumbai Rajdhani Express train for a 20-hour trip to Hazrat Nizamuddin station in Delhi. No airport lines – just the steady sound of train wheels, great for breathing exercises and writing in my journal. As we passed the stations, I sat by the window with my 60 Tiny Shifts book, and a fun group of school kids from a Mumbai convent school were getting themselves settled in the same coach. There were 10 lively 14-year-olds accompanied by Drawing and Maths teachers. They were heading to a national sports event in Noida. Their talk filled the air with big dreams and arguments. The teacher, Mrs. Sangeeta, who has taught for many years, saw my HappyQuest book and started chatting. “Books change lives,” she said, which matched what I teach in coaching. We shared our thoughts on today’s generation and how bright a future they hold, but too much exposure has also become challenging for parents and teachers to handle kids at times. The rebellious nature of kids these days was an area of concern. There were twin girls, Riddhi Siddhi in this group and Riddhi, quietly said she felt stressed about exams, but as her mom is a maths teacher, she likes maths and scores well too, and happily scored 95% marks. All girls were chit-chatting constantly and making jokes, and I too joined them in their laughter attacks. Enjoyed playing UNO with the girls and sharing my views about naughty school kids and their pranks. Mrs. Sangeeta told us her real-life story that moved our hearts beyond measure. Her story gave a message to all on how life throws challenges and how it also gives opportunities to survive and sustain. She also asked me to run a session at her school – a great start for HappyQuest with students. The views changed from green hills to sandy plains, like moving from easy times to harder ones inside yourself. In the evening, we shared food and had a nice dinner together. And then, before sleeping, I started a gratitude round: everyone said one small change they made that day. Their excitement showed me – helping kids with mindfulness is real and happens with ease. From Delayed Tracks to Delicious Detours I reached Nizamuddin station the next day by afternoon as the train was late by 3 hours, and I took a quick Uber to my friend’s place at Dwarka (₹500, 45 minutes). By the time I reached my friend’s place, I was starving. I quickly freshened up and had the most soul-satisfying meal of the day (Kashmiri food – Rajma and Paneer). Later, it was all catching up on each other’s lives and personal events, and my mobile buzzed with a message from another friend and former colleague, Sid. I immediately called him up, and we decided to meet for Coffee and a gupshup. Super amazing time of sharing life experiences and some talks about the corporate job space. By the time I was back at my friend’s place, I was super tired, so I fell asleep quickly.  At the Book Fair: A World of Ideas On the day of 10th January, as me and my friend reached the Bharat Mandapam in Pragati Maidan we were thrilled to see the large crowd pouring inside and as we manoeuvred to stall number 5 where my Publisher had his stall we were amazed to see that Halls 2 to 6 were packed with over 1,000 sellers from more than 35 countries and multiple events with writers. At the fair, excitement peaked. The Bookholics team – a lively group of book lovers and promoters – unveiled and launched 60 Tiny Shifts at their vibrant stall in Hall 5. They set up a cozy corner with my book stacks, fresh flowers, and a sign saying “Meet the Author.” Around 20 visitors had gathered for the 10-minute event. The lead organizer, Shreya, shared how my journal’s micro-change approach fit their mission to spread practical self-help. I spoke briefly about my coaching journey, did a live interview, and enjoyed the experience. Bookaholics handled everything brilliantly, promising to feature it as part of further promotions.​ Meeting other authors was the highlight. I chatted and had an instant connection with another budding author, Deepshika, whose book – The Book I Needed: Awaken to Clarity, Heal Old Patterns, and Create a Life Aligned with Freedom. A children’s book writer shared tips on engaging kids, sparking plans for my student sessions. Another self-help author from Bangalore talked about business growth; we bonded over LinkedIn strategies. These quick connects left me with 10 new contacts and fresh content ideas. The kids’ area gave me ideas for workshop games. Qatar served as the Guest of Honour country, featuring pavilions with literature, culture, history, and thoughtful genres that could reasonably include mindfulness or calm thinking themes, given their focus on thoughtful symposia and cultural exchange. Spain was the official Focus Country, highlighting Spanish literature like poetry, which fits inspiration for vision-boarding or creative activities. The New Delhi World Book Fair 2026 featured a major Theme Pavilion on “Indian Military History: Valour and Wisdom @75,” spanning 1,000 square meters at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, to honor 75 years of India’s independence and the Armed Forces’ contributions. Key items included scale models of

Hi everyone, I’m Pradnya, a life coach from busy Mumbai. In the daily rush here, it’s easy to lose touch with our own thoughts and feelings. For many years, I’ve helped other people grow, face their challenges, and chase their dreams. But the best lessons, I believe, come when we experience things ourselves. That’s why I decided to take a solo trip to Europe – just me, no friends or family at first. I went to Paris (full of romance), Amsterdam (free and creative), and Spain (full of passion and energy). What began as a simple break for peace and thinking turned into something much deeper. There were surprises along the way that felt like little signs from life itself – almost like destiny was quietly guiding me. Why I Chose Solo Travel In my coaching work, I always tell people: Step out of your comfort zone to grow. Traveling alone is the perfect way to do that. No one else to decide the plan, no one to talk to all the time – just you and your thoughts. I picked these three places because each one matched something I wanted to feel more of: romance in Paris, freedom in Amsterdam, and inner strength in Spain. I had no idea the trip would teach me so much about myself. I packed 2 bags, my journal, and an open mind. On the flight from Mumbai, I felt excited but also a bit scared. “What if I get lost?” I thought. Then I reminded myself: Sometimes getting lost helps us find who we really are. Paris: Lights, Reflection, and Inner Peace I started in Paris. The cool air felt so fresh after Mumbai’s heat. I stayed at the Prince Albert Montmartre hotel (booked through KLOOK), a charming little place in the Montmartre area. It’s close to Sacré-Cœur Basilica, with narrow streets full of artists, cafes, and that classic Parisian vibe. The room was cozy and quiet – perfect for a solo traveller to relax after a long day. Tip: When booking through KLOOK, it’s easy and often comes with good deals or extras. To explore the city efficiently, I booked a Paris day tour through KLOOK that included access to 30 top attractions. It was a walking tour with entry to places like the Eiffel Tower, Louvre (skip-the-line), Notre-Dame (exterior views), Arc de Triomphe, and more. I didn’t visit all 30 in one day, but it gave me the freedom to pick what I wanted without standing in long queues. One fun highlight was shopping at Primark – yes, I made time for it! I hopped off near one of the Paris locations and met a friend who took me around, grabbed some affordable clothes, accessories and little gifts. After shopping I went for dinner to my friend Aishwarya’s place where she had invited her lovely friends for chit-chat. Aishwarya’s fiancé made Tiramisu which was simply awesome and one friend had prepared Biryani which was too satiating and tasty. It was a nice, light-hearted break from all the sightseeing and reminded me to enjoy simple pleasures even on a deep, reflective trip. I spent my days walking without a strict plan, just following what felt right. I walked by the Seine River and saw couples putting love locks on bridges. Being alone made me think about my own life and relationships. That night, I had dinner by myself at a small restaurant – snails and red wine. The waiter said, “Traveling alone? You’re brave!” I smiled and said, “Being brave means facing yourself.” Lesson: Being alone isn’t lonely – it’s a chance to talk honestly with yourself. At the Louvre museum, I stood in front of the Mona Lisa for a long time and wrote in my journal. I met people on a walking tour, including a young artist from Brazil. We shared stories, and she reminded me to enjoy the moment. Paris showed me that opening up to new people can bring beautiful surprises. At sunset on the Eiffel Tower, the city lights twinkled below, and I felt calm and happy. The Lovely Eurostar Journey from Paris to Amsterdam From Paris to Amsterdam, I took the Eurostar train – and what a beautiful experience it was! The high-speed train was comfortable and smooth. I had a window seat and spent most of the journey just gazing out at the peaceful European countryside rolling by. There were classic windmills turning slowly in the fields, horse stables with beautiful horses grazing, and charming little villages with red-roofed houses and green landscapes. It felt so calming and dreamy – like a moving painting. That quiet ride gave me time to reflect, write in my journal, and feel grateful for the moment. Traveling between cities doesn’t have to be rushed; sometimes the journey itself becomes one of the best parts. Amsterdam: Freedom, Creativity, and Beautiful Experiences Next, I arrived in Amsterdam. The city felt light and free – bikes everywhere, pretty canals, happy people. I rented a bike and rode through parks. Everything felt easy and mindful. To make the most of my time, I booked a few experiences through KLOOK – they were easy to book online and saved a lot of hassle. First, I got the Keukenhof Gardens ticket with a hop-on hop-off bus from Amsterdam. It was the season of tulips, so I was excited to see the famous fields! Even though the outdoor tulip fields weren’t fully in bloom yet (tulip season peaks in mid-April to early May, and blooming depends on the weather), the gardens were still peaceful and beautiful with autumn colours from the trees and other plants. The bus ride was comfortable, and it was nice to explore without worrying about transport. I also booked a skip-the-line ticket for the Rijksmuseum – home to amazing Dutch art like Rembrandt’s The Night Watch. I also participated in painting workshop and learnt new art form! I spent hours there, quietly admiring the paintings and feeling inspired by the creativity