Bollywood Celebs Spill The Bean On What Will Be Their Dream Escape Once #CoronaBeGone

When faced with dire situations and unsettling times like now, keeping spirits high becomes more important than ever. At Travel + Leisure India & South Asia, we aim to do just that. Even though we have to stay confined to our houses right now, dreaming can soar well beyond the horizons. With this rainbow in our hearts, and our inner wanderers itching to set sail again, we decided to get in touch with Bollywood peeps to know about their #DreamEscapes once #CoronaBeGone. By Bayar Jain

1. Mrunal Thakur

“Once the travel ban has been lifted, my Dream Escape would be to visit the Matrix 4 movie set in the United States of America. As an actor, the first place I would like to visit after the lockdown is a movie set. And since Matrix is my favourite movie franchise, and Keanu Reeves is my favourite actor, I would love to watch him perform live. It would be amazing to see the workings of international production, and experience their action scenes and choreography at the VFX locations.”

2. Aahana Kumra

“The first place I’d like to visit when the ban is lifted is the Mt Everest Base Camp. I was supposed to be there on April 1 for an expedition for about 15 days. It has been on my bucket list for years, but I could not freeze the plan because of my work schedules. This year, I ensured I would make it work by preparing my body for the expedition by running, working out, and building my stamina. Unfortunately, the pandemic hit the world, and travel bans came into place almost everywhere, which meant my entire trip got canned. Now, hopefully, I’ll do this in autumn.”

“I have also been eyeing Nepal for a long time now. I have been researching on it for a while, and it’s not an easy trek. Having said that, I want to do it at least once in my lifetime.”

3. Richa Chadha

“Once the ban is lifted, the first place I’d like to visit is Delhi because I am missing my parents. I last met them in February, but didn’t realise that there would be a lockdown and we’d be stuck without meeting each other for so long.”

4. Dia Mirza

“I would love to go back to Yala National Park, Sri Lanka. My childhood friend Ananya and I did a short three-night trip there in early February 2020, and the experience was too magical and too short! The only reason I choose this as a throwback is that there was still so much to soak in, absorb, learn and enjoy there! Plus, I feel the Wild Coast Lodge at Yala, Sri Lanka offers the most sustainable luxury accommodation, and the most breathtaking wildlife and natural world experiences.”

5. Huma Qureshi

“The first place I want to go to is my home in Delhi, and meet my parents. Maybe after that, Bahamas and sit on the beach and relax.”

6. Pooja Hegde

“I think I’m going to do a beach vacation, and bring out my bikini next. I want to go to the Maldives and indulge in good food, water activities, and simply relax and do nothing for some time.”

7. Malavika Mohanan

“Cherry blossoms in Japan have been on my wish list for the past five years, and I wanted to get that off my bucket list. In fact, I had planned to visit the country around March 20, but coronavirus dampened it. Once the ban is lifted, I’ll go there. I want to visit Kyoto and Tokyo and see Japanese culture. I want to go there because I’ve read a lot about the country in Haruki Murakami’s books – my favourite author. Because of him, Japan has become a really fascinating place for me. I also like [Hayao] Miyazaki’s films, and I’m a fan of Studio Ghibli. They have a studio there, and I really want to go see it. I also can’t want to try out Japanese cuisine.”

8. Karan Tacker

“Once things get settled, I’d love to just bum on a beach in Goa, bask in the sun, meet and interact with people, eat whatever I’d like with the people I love. I love the people of Goa – they are very welcoming and friendly. When I’m there, I just want to eat the food they cook, take a dip in the ocean, and enjoy nature without fearing about my and everyone else’s well being.”

9. Radhika Madan

“This time, when I head to London, I want to go on more hikes, discover the not-so-commercial places, meet people, chat with them, and know more about
their culture. I would definitely be in more cafes and go to more yoga studios. I did my first tap dance class there, so I want to do that again.”

10. Pooja Gor

“I would definitely go to the Maldives. This time, I came back earlier due to the crises, but I really wanted to stay there longer. I would love to indulge in some water activities, go on adventures, and maybe even do a certification course in scuba diving.”

11. Aditi Rao Hydari

“I’d go to Paris. Anywhere you go in the city, it is stunningly beautiful. I’d make sure I visit Montmartre, especially the Sacré-Cœur Basilica; the Musée du Louvre; and walk along the banks of the River Seine.”

12. Mouni Roy

“Because I’m homebound right now, I miss nature a lot. So, any place with beaches and mountains works! When vacationing, I look forward to the basics and like to keep things peaceful by not making it hectic. So, I would want just that – comfort and healthy food; lying down on the beach and reading a good book; discovering islands, and trekking mountains. I recently rediscovered my love for painting, so I wouldn’t mind carrying a small canvas with me to draw as well.”

Related: 10 Bollywood Films That Will Take You On A World Tour (Virtually)