Model Pragya Kapoor's Travel Tales Are All About Slowing Down And Soaking In

Model and film producer Pragya Kapoor's varied travel tales are no less than a beautiful symphony that is all about staying connected. Her social media appearance is not about making fancy reels but about spending "quality family time."

From basking in the sunlight on a beach to a dolphin spotting excursion, her travel diaries are all about soaking in the experience sans any checklist rush.

Her take on travel perfectly blends with what slow travel is, as opposed to the reel-dominated travelogues. The concept has become even more relevant amid the surge of information overload on the internet, where "things to do in 24 hours" overpower the essence of experiences, leaving travellers drowsy and drained. The need is to set a narrative that inspires people to curate an itinerary that prompts learning via journeying.

"For me, travelling is a place of growth, a journey to discover where I am going and more about myself. It's something we need—to cope with the day-to-day life in a city like Mumbai. So, packing my bag and travelling for 3 or 4 days to get out of the city is very important. It rejuvenates me and helps me feel more connected," Kapoor told OT.

Her latest sojourn to Thailand aligned well with what one should ideally do on vacation — relax, not rush. "This time, the idea was to just stay at Six Senses (hotel) and take some time out without doing anything—just focusing on myself."

Don't Rush

And how does one do it? Not by sleeping or lazing around, for sure. As Kapoor did, the ideal way is to make a concise plan, like a schedule to soothe. "I would wake up at 5 AM, meditate while watching the sunrise, do yoga, have massages, eat incredible food, and read. The plan was to do nothing, so we didn't explore much."

The key lies in spending quality time and engaging in recreational activities. One of the ways to do so is by reshaping our idea of comfort and luxury. We often equate them with expensive hotels, forgetting that the process is not about staying in a lavish suite but making the most of what's in front of us, from staying in a budgeted pod to savouring a meal at a local market.

Kapoor's travels have also made her see luxury from a different lens. "In the past, luxury was mainly about fancy hotels and expensive destinations. Now, it's more about exploring, experiencing new things, and seeing more of the world, regardless of the price tag. I can see this shift in people's thought processes. I have noticed that more people are becoming open to different luxury ideas. "

Beach Or Mountain?

The beach-mountain debate is futile for Kapoor as she believes in sauntering across diverse terrains, regardless of what's in fad. "I love both the beach and the mountains. They both offer experiences that I enjoy despite being very different. Ultimately, I am looking for peace and relaxation, which I find in the mountains and the beach."

Besides, she recommended that taking out at least a week is ideal for a retreat to calm one's mind, body and soul. "Even in Thailand, where I spent 5-6 days, I only focused on my health and well-being, one of the primary reasons I travel."

On Sustainability

At a time when sustainability has become a norm, with more and more hotels and countries opting for environment-friendly practices, Kapoor feels that as travellers, Indians need to stop taking things for granted and act sustainably in their travel choices.

 "As a population, we have a sustainability problem. I don't think most people are fully aware of it. When booking travel, we can be a bit mindless, especially in India, where we don't always show respect for our own country. I've noticed that we behave very differently when we travel to Europe—we don't litter, follow the rules, and act more sophisticatedly."

The only way to do so is by resisting hypocrisy and making better choices, like opting for eco-friendly hotels, avoiding plastic, and bringing our waste back home, especially since many places lack proper recycling and waste management facilities. "While there's still a long way to go, I do believe that people are becoming more aware," Kapoor reiterated.

Follow her on Instagram @pragyakapoor_