Wanderlust: The Places Your Favourite Travel Creators Can't Stop Talking About

In an age when travel is less about ticking boxes and more about finding meaning, India's travel influencers are rewriting the map one soulful journey at a time. For this Hashtag Magazine special, we asked India's travel storytellers to share their personal recommendations from Maharashtra's untouched coastlines in Sindhudurg to Hampi's sun-drenched ruins these journeys celebrate local culture, community, and conscious travel.

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Aastha Maheshwari

Who: Hyderabad-based luxury travel creator, independent journalist, scuba diver & surfer

A storyteller with an explorer's heart, Aastha Maheshwari is redefining what wanderlust means in today's world. Through her lens, travel becomes immersive, intentional, and deeply human – an experience that connects emotion, culture, and community.

Featured by IndiGo Airlines, Air India, and Incredible India, Aastha curates journeys that inspire people to travel not just to see the world, but to feel it – deeply, beautifully, and purposefully. From untouched islands to indulgent luxury escapes, her work celebrates travel as a form of storytelling rooted in exploration and empathy.

Featured Destination: Sindhudurg, Maharashtra

Why Aastha Recommends It:

“Sindhudurg is one of India’s most underrated gems,” Aastha says. “Its pristine beaches, backwaters, heritage temples, and peaceful rhythm are everything you need when you want to disconnect from chaos.” She recommends staying at Coco Shambhala, a sea-view villa experience that perfectly captures the area’s balance of comfort and calm.

What Makes It Special:

The Malvani culture, its slow beach life, and the warmth of the locals make Sindhudurg unforgettable. she says. It's the kind of place that fills your silence with stories.”

Local Flavours to Try: