Fun And Heartwarming Holiday Memories: Four Kids Share Their Stories

Encourage your children to unlock the treasured memories of their past travels tucked away in the corners of their busy minds. This is a wonderful way to keep those joyful moments alive for years to come. Plus, you'll discover their favorite family adventures, and who knows, they might even share the destinations they dream of visiting next!

This World Tourism Day (27 September), we bring you children's recollections of their vacations. We hope you enjoy reading these with your children, and consider these ideas for your next getaway!

BONUS: Don't forget to check out the fun activities at the end.

Each place has its unique identity, Samira

I love trying out something new each year. Our family has made a pact to visit a new place whenever possible. Also known as the Valley of the Gods, Manali was on my travel wish list for a long time. When I finally got a chance to visit this beautiful place, I was thrilled. We chose Manali because of its cool climate and the prospect of seeing snow. The trip was the perfect antidote to my tiredness from months of never-ending studies and co-curricular activities.

It took us three days by train to reach Chandigarh from Bengaluru, as there are no direct trains to Manali. From Chandigarh, it took us another eight hours by taxi to reach the lodge we had booked for our stay in Manali. By the time we reached, we were tired but the sight of apple trees all around and the sound of water gurgling from the river nearby rejuvenated us.

The next morning, we visited the Rohtang Pass where the snow point was the highlight of the trip, as it was covered in a thick blanket of snow. We also visited the Hadimba Devi Temple and the picturesque Solang Valley where we took numerous pictures. In between, we visited a small café where we got a taste of spicy Manali cuisine. Tired but happy, we retired for the night.

The next day was spent shopping for loved ones and taking a stroll down the mall road that was full of small shops selling sweaters, mufflers, jackets, and the famous hand-painted key chains. Everything was so beautiful—the cold breeze, the delicious food, and the friendly locals.

I learned many things from this trip but the most important one was that each place has a unique distinguishing feature of its own. I would advise people planning to visit Manali to take warm clothes, as the weather can turn chilly, especially at night. Also, don't forget to buy some local handmade souvenirs.

We built a snowman and took a sledge ride, Nanditha K

If there is one holiday that I love recounting, it is the trip to Kashmir in 2017. Until then, I had never seen snow. In Gulmarg, the sight of endless snow was a memorable experience. My mother, aunt and I built a small snowman and we even took a sledge ride. The cable car journey in Gulmarg was an exhilarating experience.

However, the icing on the cake for me was the famous tulip garden of Srinagar, which was in full bloom. The sight of endless rows of bright flowers in red, yellow, and purple colors took my breath away. The garden is so vast that we could only cover half of it.

We also went to the Chashma Shahi Garden where there is a natural spring that waters the whole garden. Then we went for a shikara ride on the famous Dal Lake. The lake is so vast, but in some places, it is dirty and polluted.

During our stay, we also visited Pahalgam. On the way, we saw a lot of deodar trees, which looked like giant Christmas trees. Even though we went three years ago, it is all fresh in my memory. This trip taught me about the endless beauty of nature and that we should appreciate the small things in life. Kashmir is one place that people should not hesitate to travel to. Of course, a little precaution is required but it is by and large peaceful. We are so busy with studies that we hardly have time to appreciate nature. Carrying warm clothes, ready-to-eat foods, a quality camera or a smartphone, and a medicine kit are a must if you plan to visit Kashmir.

An unforgettable trip to the Land of the Thunder Dragon, Akshita

We visited famous cities like Thimphu which is Bhutan's capital city, and Paro, famed for its monasteries. Our last stop in Bhutan was Punakha, one of the 20 districts of Bhutan. Located about 72 km from Thimphu, it is a beautiful spot with a river flowing beside it.

I felt like I was transported to a different place altogether. The beautiful scenery, the rivers with clean, transparent waters, the hilly roads, and the tall monasteries cast a spell on me. The one thing I noticed was that women in Bhutan are hardworking and you can see them everywhere, from general stores and hotels to even driving buses. Most of the Bhutanese people are very friendly and speak Hindi or English, apart from their native language, Dzongkha.

I would like to mention that the roads in Bhutan are free from traffic jams and there is not a single sound, as the honking of cars is considered rude. Also, other car drivers allow you to pass when you are at an intersection. I found the entire country very neat and clean, with almost no sign of garbage.

After we returned, my mother gave me the task of arranging all the toll booth passes from our car journey. It was a fun-filled, memorable trip from start to finish.

I love beaches and collecting pebbles, Zaina Shakir

Although I can't remember much, when I was 3 years old, my mamma and dada backpacked and we went on a trek. The photos from this trip always make me happy and this, to date, remains my favorite trip.

Treks are always fun, and I remember jumping into the freezing waters of a dam when I was 4. Exploring forests makes you appreciate the beauty of nature. I love to swim and look forward to staying in resorts with a swimming pool. I also like to eat all kinds of yummy food when we travel. Our trip to Goa and its beaches was lots of fun. Chennai also has some nice beaches and we visit them often.

Whenever we go on a trip, my mamma and I pick flowers or collect pebbles and shells.