Why I traded family holidays in Kerala for travel adventures around the world

Holidays. Summer holidays. We’re right in the thick of it. Yet I haven’t planned a break. Why? I’m not sure. The motivation just isn’t there.

It wasn’t always like this.

Once, summer holidays meant only one thing: home. Home, for me, is Kerala, in southern India. My parents would wait eagerly for our arrival, especially to see their grandchildren. I never wanted to miss it.

Preparations began months in advance. Air tickets had to be booked early to snag a decent rate. Gifts and goodies were picked out for family and friends. The biggest challenge? Planning the itinerary.

My wife and I would sit down to draw up a list of relatives to visit — a delicate balancing act. We’d debate things like: Can we skip the aunt in Alleppey this time? We did visit her last year.

Once we narrowed it down, I’d chart a travel plan, trying to fit in as many visits as possible in a day. That wasn’t easy. Every stop included an invitation to lunch or dinner. While catching up was a joy for us, our children weren’t always thrilled. To them, these were strangers.

But times have changed.

My parents are no longer with us. Nor are my wife’s. The pull isn’t as strong now. Our siblings still live in Kerala, but they have their own routines and responsibilities. We hate to intrude.

The same applies to friends. They’re always happy to meet, but everyone’s busy. What used to be spontaneous get-togethers now feel like calendar appointments: this café, that day, this time. There’s a quick update, followed by some snacks, coffee, or tea, and then it’s time to part. It feels more like a business lunch than a warm reunion.

That easy intimacy of the past is harder to find now.

It’s no one’s fault. Life happens — new friends, evolving priorities, children, careers. It’s unrealistic to expect the same warmth after years apart. If the connections feel a little transactional, maybe that’s just how things are now. A different time. A different era.

I still visit my hometown. I still meet my siblings, relatives, and friends. But the urgency is gone. The trips are shorter, unlike the luxurious four-week vacations of the past.

These days, my holidays are about travelling to new places, new countries.

We did travel before, but the frequency has increased now. With the kids grown and independent, my wife and I explore more. Every year, we plan trips based on our budget. And every trip has been unique. The food, people, culture, architecture, and landscapes — they’ve all left us in awe.

Every place brought something new. Every memory, every experience has been unforgettable.

So, where am I going this year? Nowhere far, I think. I haven’t made plans yet. It’ll likely be a short trip. Somewhere close by. Maybe Oman. Or Petra, in Jordan.

If it’s in the region, I’ll wait for the summer heat to pass.