travelswithrita.com

About Me

Hi, I’m Rita Sahwney, a passionate traveler and storyteller with a deep love for exploring the world. My journey as a travel writer began in 1998, and ever since, I’ve been capturing the essence of breathtaking destinations, hidden gems, and cultural experiences across India and beyond.

Over the years, my travel tales have found a place in renowned magazines such as Bride & Home, Discover India, India Today, Go Now, Swagat, Golf Style, Jetwings, Travel Plus, and many more. Each destination has a story to tell, and through my words, I aim to bring those stories to life—transporting readers to vibrant landscapes, bustling markets, serene beaches, and historical marvels.

Whether it’s an offbeat adventure, a luxurious escape, or an insightful cultural experience, my travels are all about immersing in the beauty of places and sharing them with the world. Join me on this journey as I continue to explore, write, and inspire!

The Inspiration That Fuels My Travels

For me, travel is more than just visiting new places; it is about truly immersing myself in the essence of a destination. I find joy in experiencing diverse cultures, witnessing age-old traditions, and exploring the rich heritage that defines a region. Meeting people, listening to their stories, and discovering shared histories add depth to my journeys. The beauty of ancient architecture, combined with the flavors of local cuisine, brings each place to life. Every journey is a tapestry of culture, people, history, and flavors, making travel an enriching and unforgettable experience.

Cultural Immersion &
Heritage Exploration

I love experiencing the traditions, festivals, and history that define a place’s unique identity.

Human Connections &
Shared Histories

Meeting people, hearing their stories, and discovering our shared past makes every journey meaningful.

Timeless Architecture &
Local Legends

Exploring ancient forts, palaces, and sacred sites fascinates me, especially the myths and history they hold.

Culinary &
Local Experiences

Tasting regional flavors and engaging in local food traditions bring me closer to the heart of a destination.

Footprints on the Globe

Following My Curiosity, One Footprint at a Time

Sikkim – Of Hills And Dales

A valley carpeted with rhododendrons of the wildest kind and a lake that surpasses every notion of beauty… Sikkim has many surprises, big and small, round every corner.

Gujarat – Chasing Shadows

The sheer magnitude of the white salt desert of the Great Rann of Kutch hides many an elusive tribes, amazing artisans and much more within its mysterious folds.

Sikkim – House Of Spirits

When nature’s mysteries meet the spirituality of man, the effect is truly mesmerising. Silent mountains, calming monasteries, gushing rivers, stunning wild valleys… Sikkim is the land of wonders you want to return to time and again.

Turkey – Passage To Pamukkale

Immerse yourself in a historical sacred bath, or simply bathe in history itself. Journeying through this region of Turkey offers many promises, and fulfills every expectation of the discerning traveller.

Cambodia – Stone Age

Ancient Angkor temples, echoing Hindu cosmology and aligned with the stars, draw tourists with their silent stories and lingering spirits of centuries past.

Goa – A Sandy Affair

A round of golf in beautiful Goa occasioned a wife’s tribute to her husband.

Karnataka – Footloose & Fancy-Free

Encountering elephants, traversing through Veerappan territory and drinking in the aroma of fresh coffee brew.

Uttarakhand – On The Curzon Trail

Stunning visuals, exhilarating experiences, and a jagged trek – all make for the prefect adventure.

Ladakh – On The Move

Braving extreme temperatures and conditions, the Tibetan Buddhist Chang-pa tribe holds out in Ladakh, around the third-highest motorable pass in the world.

France – Through The Grapevine…

Walk through the famed Champagne District of France, home of some of the world’s best ‘bubbly’.

Himachal Pradesh – Where Eagles Fly

The Himachal attracts attention for a variety of reasons. It might interest you to know that paragliding is another possibility in bir and billing.

Himachal Pradesh – Culture High

The region of Kinnaur in Himachal Pradesh hosts a vibrant festival every September, replete with hill culture and tradition.

Assam – Gently Down the Stream

Embark upon an incredible cruise on the mighty river to get a glimpse of Assam’s big cities, rural landscape and exotic wildlife.

Bangaluru – Bird’s View

A game of golf at the Karnataka Golf Association golf course comes with the thrill of swinging with planes whizzing past overhead

Kerala – The Land Of The Gods

There is more to Kerala than just beaches and backwaters, the tea estates of Munnar and the wildlife sanctuary at Periyar are splendid holiday destinations.

Madhya Pradesh – Of Fort & Forest

Bandhavgarh Fort, enclosing an area of 582 acres, stands at a height of 800m, lending a breathtaking view of the surrounding terrain and forest reserve.

Uttarakhand – Lake District

The hill station of Nainital in Kumaon, nestling in the verdant slopes of the Himalayas, gets its name from the emerald green lake it is situated on.

Sikkim – Quiet Magnificence

Exotic orchids, brilliantly hued rhododendrons, treks in autumn and winter, and quiet Sikkim, in the eastern Himalayas, north of West Bengal, is the ideal getaway.

France – Lake Town Pursuits

Amidst a reserve forest and overlooking mountains is the Annecy Golf Course that shares its name and boundary with one of France’s most beautiful lakes. The course may be challenging but the view each hole affords is enough incentive to keep going.

Uttarakhand – Rain Songs & Blooms

Thousands trek to the Valley of Flowers in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand to witness nature’s munificence.

Himachal – A Fable Forever

Legend has it that Kinnaur is a gift from the Gods to Himachal. Even now, in the remote villages, inhabitants are revered as half-human and half-god.

Kerala – Tea Country

The hilly and tea-growing region of Munnar is breathtakingly beautiful, with the crystal clear waters of the Mattupetty lapping at your feet.

Sikkim – The Land Of Mystic Mountains & Monasteries

Nestled between Nepal and Bhutan, Sikkim is a land of monasteries, orchids, and stunning high-altitude landscapes—and it truly took my breath away. The nickname suits it perfectly.

Gulmarg – Meadow of Flowers

The breathtaking beauty of Gulmarg, once a preferred haunt of Emperor Jahangir, leaves the winter charmed.

Rajasthan – Avian Haven

At this bird sanctuary, which is also a World Heritage Site, you will see owl, storks, ibises and maybe even the odd Siberian crane.

Himachal Pradesh – A Paradise for Adventure Enthusiasts

Baijnath Temple, one of the state’s most-visited places of pilgrimage is seen here bathed in the rosy glow of the early morning sun. I was glad to get photographs of devotees heading to the temple for their morning prayers.

Rajasthan – Dune Village

Near a village surrounded by sand dunes, one catches sight of demoiselle cranes and black bucks.

Uttarakhand – Brownie Treat

The winding road reveals a stunning view of the Himalayas—Trishul, Nanda Devi, Nanda Kot, and the Panchachulis. While these peaks are unconquerable for most, you can still enjoy the thrill of teeing off near them at the Ranikhet Golf Course, a British legacy.

Golf Special – A Woman Of Substance

Meet India’s first lady gracious “Sita Rawley”

Malaysia – Rainforest Golf

Malaysia has much to offer golfers—a tranquil lotus-filled lake becomes a challenging par 3 hazard, birdies may be elusive on the scorecard but not in the skies. Rita Sawhney delights in the Malaysian golfing experience.

Uttarakhand – The Garhwal Circuit

A trek up to the mysterious kedar of Tungnath is an elemental experience In spiritual serenity.

Rajasthan – Monsoon Pavilion

Off the beaten Agra-Jaipur track, in the middle of nowhere, lies o veritable garden of Eden.

Leh – Through High Passes and Surreal Landscapes

“At 5,360m, I pause to photograph the awesome scene that surrounds me, and risk being blown off the mountain.”

Himachal Pradesh – Tee Time Conversations

The Shimla and Lahore ladies meet over tea to discover the many similarities they share.

Himachal Pradesh – A Rainy Rendezvous

Drinking deep the fresh fragrance of wet pine, a monsoon spent in the mountains is a splendid interlude.

Ireland – A Unique Blend of Beauty, Challenge, and Tradition

There’s more to an Irish experience than tall cedars, enchanting houses and excellent cuisine, discovers an avid golfer.

Corbett – Excursion Into Wild Realms

Once royal hunting grounds, India’s forests are now a haven for adventure tourists. As conservation evolves and awareness grows in nearby communities, I set out—wildlife lover, birder, and photographer—to explore the vibrant life in these reserves.

Srinagar – Teeing Off In Paradise

Much acclaimed as a paradise on earth, the valley of Kashmir is tentatively opening up to tourists again. I visited Srinagar this winter to check out the possibilities of a golfing holiday.

Madhya Pradesh – The Eye Of The Tiger

This entire area is better known as Kipling’s India, as this is where Rudyard Kipling based his epochal Jungle Book.

Himachal Pradesh – Moonwalking In Himachal

A journey of discovery to a region of immense beauty and spirituality.

Punjab – Springtime In The Land Of Five Rivers

Laughter, songs and carefree merriment ring in Basant Panchami in Punjab.

Himachal Pradesh – In Touch With A Colonial Past

Palaces were converted into summer retreats during the British Raj. For tourists, these heritage homes recreate the aura of an age gone by.

Himalayan Odyssey

From Manali to remote, rugged Mustang, and through Ladakh, crossing some of the highest mountain passes in the world, an adventure-buff reaches Srinagar at the end of an incredible journey. Here’s my account of a trip few others would dare attempt.

Himachal Pradesh – Cool Kangra

Hills, forests, turquoise lagoons and breathtaking scenery await you in the magical Kangra Valley.

Mussoorie – Hillside Honeymoon

Spectacular mountain views and mists that drift through the trees add to the romantic atmosphere, which this quaint hillside retreat has to offer.