Apeksha Bhateja

Apeksha Bhateja

Staff Writer

Apeksha is a freelance writer based in Amsterdam. She has worked as the Chief of Features of luxury travel magazine Travel & Leisure India & South Asia and the Assistant Editor of POPxo, India’s largest online platform for women. She’s currently pursuing Erasmus Mundus masters in Journalism, Media and Globalisation in Europe with a specialisation in Politics and Communication. She has also contributed to BBC, South China Morning Post, and Business Insider. She blogs at viadelhi.in.

Q&A

  • Why do you travel?

    Travel makes me feel free. I can be a tourist checking off major attractions on my list and I can be a wide-eyed traveler with a blank slate, on the lookout for local experiences. Every trip is empowering and impactful.

  • What’s one thing you never travel without?

    A reliable pair of sneakers. I like to walk (and get lost), so I’m always in sneakers unless there’s a dress code or I’m on the beach.

  • What was your worst travel experience?

    Egypt. The airline lost my luggage (it came the next afternoon). We had run-ins with cops. But worst, I got severely dehydrated on a cruise on the Nile and had to be given a shot. Worst nightmare for a traveler: to be sick and puking in a foreign country. Japan comes close. I loved the country, the people, the food, but my shoulder got strained and I couldn’t move my arm or change my clothes without howling in pain, alone in my hotel room.

  • Where did you have your most unforgettable meal?

    All the meals in Japan. Tempura, shabu shabu, miso soup, Tokyo Banana. Truffle pizza at Badrutt’s Palace Chesa Veglia is something else that I remember fondly.

  • What’s on your travel bucket list?

    Tuscany, Hampi, Utah. I’ve picked spectacular hotels to stay at.

  • What’s the first thing you do when you arrive in a new place?

    Tell mom I’ve landed safely and exchange currency.

  • What are your favorite countries, destinations to travel to?

    I’ll go back to Australia in a jiffy because a close friend lives there and we haven’t done the Gold Coast yet. I’ve been to Goa some six-seven times and I’m planning another trip this year.

  • When were you first bitten by the travel bug?

    I didn’t start traveling until my early 20s. It was a Bollywood movie, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, that inspired me and a lucky break at Travel+Leisure India & South Asia that made it possible.

  • Carry-on or checked?

    Always checked. My backpack is heavy enough. I like to stroll around, drink coffee, and browse books at airports. Much easier to do all this without a suitcase.

  • If you could live in any hotel, where would it be?

    Ovolo Woolloomooloo in Sydney perhaps because it has free breakfast, complimentary mini-bar, coffee and snacks in the lobby, 24-hour-access gym, and self-service laundry. It’s right on the wharf and has pretty artwork everywhere.

Most Recent Works

Boomers Still Travel More and Spend More Than Other Generations

Boomers Still Travel More and Spend More Than Other Generations

Baby boomers are still at the top of the travel pyramid. New generations, millennials and Gen Z, have flipped travel trends, but boomers continue to play a crucial role in the travel sector. A new analysis by YouGov reveals that boomers still travel more than other generations and spend more on their trips. According to … Continued
Popular Destinations Will Be Even Busier This Summer Because of the Iran War

Popular Destinations Will Be Even Busier This Summer Because of the Iran War

In recent weeks, the world has become more unstable and unpredictable. The U.S.-Israel war against Iran has upended global travel, and patterns are shifting as tourists seek alternative destinations. Shrinking airspace and escalating travel advisories have caused a ripple effect: travelers are turning away from the Gulf and Asia and looking to Europe. Shifting Patterns … Continued
German Tourist Has a Bad Vacation in Times Square, Sues for $20 Million

German Tourist Has a Bad Vacation in Times Square, Sues for $20 Million

A German tourist faced disappointment after disappointment on his trip to New York in 2024. So much so that he filed three lawsuits seeking $20 million in compensation from a taco chain, Walmart, and the New York Police Department for discrimination and distress. However, all his attempts to get damages were thwarted after judges dismissed … Continued
Travel Influencers Shamed for Absurd Reactions to Iran War

Travel Influencers Shamed for Absurd Reactions to Iran War

An aviation influencer has become the latest punching bag on the internet. Daniel Goz, known as Nonstop Dan on YouTube, told his more than 1 million subscribers that he was stranded in Asia after his flight to Dubai was canceled. He noted that some economy seats were available, but viewers quickly realized he was extending … Continued