Discovering India: An Italian Couple’s Adventures in Bundi and Beyond

Bundi: For many, India is a captivating mystery. For Adam and Janie, an Italian couple, it’s much more. They are currently on their fifth trip to the country, but this time, they’re traveling in a unique way. Instead of hopping on a taxi or train, they’re cruising around in an autorickshaw they named Raja. They plan to sell Raja before heading back home.

While in Bundi, Rajasthan, they shared their journey. They bought Raja from Chengalpattu, near Chennai, and made a few tweaks to get it road-ready for their adventure. So far, they’ve traveled around 6,000 kilometers, exploring places like Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, and Gujarat before arriving in Bundi. Here, they visited notable spots like Raniji’s Bawdi, Garh Palace, and Chitrashaala, soaking in the city’s rich heritage.

“People here have been so kind. We never felt like tourists,” they said. After working for two years to save money for their travels, they were excited to immerse themselves in Indian culture, armed with a 60-month tourist visa.

Jane shared their ambitious goal: “We plan to cover 10,000 kilometers during this trip and will stay for six months. We want to return to India next year, too.” She finds the diversity of languages and dialects across the states incredibly fascinating. “Each visit deepens our understanding of India,” she added.

After spending time in Bundi, Adam and Janie set off for Jaipur, with plans to travel through several states—Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Bihar, Jharkhand, Bengal, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh—before reaching their final stop in Tamil Nadu.

Local businesses appreciate travelers like them. Diksha Puravat, who runs a guesthouse, believes that encouraging such tourists can have a positive impact. “They stay for a few days and share their experiences, which can inspire others to visit India,” she said.

Travel photographer Narayan Mandovara echoed this sentiment, stressing the importance of improving facilities for tourists. “If we can enhance cleanliness and provide better amenities, it will boost tourism,” he suggested, which could create more opportunities for local communities.