Hi, I’m the founder of Marigold Routes, a boutique travel design company based in Mumbai and I call myself a travel designer, not a travel agent. Why? Because I don’t just book hotels and flights, I craft journeys, experiences and memories, rooted in passion, not just profit.

But before I became a travel designer, I was someone very different.

For over 13 years, I worked as a Senior Physiotherapist at Saifee Hospital in Mumbai. I loved helping people heal, recover and feel better. I connected deeply with my patients and colleagues. But after the pandemic, something shifted in me. Like many of us, I was reminded how short and unpredictable life is. That’s when my passion for travel, which was always there in the background, started calling louder.

When I finally decided to switch careers, a scary but exciting leap, it was actually my patients and colleagues who encouraged me. They’d often heard me talk about travel, seen how detailed I was in planning even my own holidays and how excited I’d get helping others with their trips. They said, “Why don’t you start your own travel business? You’d be amazing at it.” And just like that, Marigold Routes was born.

Trust: The Most Important Currency in Travel

Let’s be honest, many people have had disappointing experiences with travel agents. Overpriced packages, poor planning, last-minute surprises, zero support during the trip, I’ve heard it all. So when people come to me, they often carry hesitation. I get that.

But here’s the difference: this is not just business for me. It’s personal.

I don’t see myself as someone selling holidays. I see myself as someone making your dream holiday a reality, with care, empathy and attention to every small detail. The satisfaction I get when a client says, “This was the best trip of our lives,” is truly unmatched. That’s what fuels me.

The Art of Designing a Trip : My Way
So what really goes on behind the scenes when I plan a trip?

First, I listen. I ask you not just where you want to go, but why? What kind of memories do you want to create? Are you celebrating something? Do you want to explore, relax, learn, disconnect, reconnect? These things matter.

Then, I start curating. Every hotel I recommend is not just a place to sleep, it’s your home in a new land. While I agree that we don’t spend most of our time in the hotel, I also believe the right stay sets the tone for your entire trip. It should feel safe, comforting and ideally, a little bit magical.

Let me give you an example. When I stayed in a glass igloo in Kakslauttanen, Finland, watching the Northern Lights from my bed, yes, it was expensive, yes, it was all over Instagram but my god, what an experience. One night, yet unforgettable. Or the Khyber in Gulmarg, surreal views of the snow-draped Himalayas, or Aurora House in Bali, peaceful, earthy and soulful. These aren’t places you book just because they’re cheap or available. You choose them because they give you a story, a feeling, a lifetime memory. And when budget is a concern (which it often is), I love designing split-stay solutions: mix practicality with splurge.

One night of luxury + few nights of comfort = balanced bliss.

Beyond Hotels: Travel With Purpose

We believe in deep travel, travel with intention. Not just ticking off checklists or seeing a place through a tourist lens, but really absorbing it.
One of my favourite examples is a walking tour we did in Bruges called The Dark Side of Bruges. No big tourist buses, no guide with a mic, just a passionate local taking us through cobbled alleys, sharing chilling medieval stories and secrets. It was haunting, funny and incredibly real. You don’t get these experiences from Google or ChatGPT (as much as I love using both!). You get them through someone who lives and breathes travel daily.
That’s what I do. I collect experiences, mine and my clients’ and turn them into meaningful journeys for others.

Why Book With a Travel Designer?

When you search online, you see options. When you work with a travel designer like us, you get clarity, curation and confidence.
• We help you avoid costly mistakes.
• We know the little hacks: flight routes, visa timings, seasonal perks.
• We have trusted contacts: DMCs, guides, hotel managers, who help me give you better deals than what you often find online.
• And most importantly, We care. Genuinely.

Final Word: It’s Your Story, Let’s Make it Special

At Marigold Routes, every trip we plan is personal. Whether it’s your first international holiday, a romantic honeymoon, a solo soul-searching trip, or a multigenerational family vacation, we treat it like we’re planning our own.

So the next time you’re dreaming about a holiday and you want it to be more than just “nice pictures,” think of me. I’d love to design something unforgettable for you.

Let’s travel not just for escape, but to evolve.