Since the days of Marco Polo, travel has become more accessible — but its essence remains the same: a profound journey of discovery. My path begins here, inspired by the same curiosity and courage that guided the great explorers before me. I’ll venture through the vivid landscapes and intricate cultures of South and Southeast Asia, beginning in Vietnam, and continuing through Indonesia, India, and Sri Lanka. Each destination holds its own hidden beauty, waiting to be uncovered.
As a lifelong learner with a background in business, academia, and emerging technologies, I embark on this sabbatical not just to escape routine, but to gain new perspectives and pursue my passion for meaningful travel. This journey is a personal quest — one driven by curiosity, shaped by reflection, and rich with opportunities for growth.
I invite you to join me on this transformative adventure, where every step promises to challenge, inspire, and enlighten. Through these stories, I hope to share not only the places I visit, but the deeper connections and insights that emerge along the way.
Journey Through India: A Travel Series
Welcome to my travel series about India — a land of spirituality, culture, and unforgettable experiences. This collection of articles traces my personal journey through India, from the first moments of arrival to the grand spectacle of the Maha Kumbh Mela.
Explore each story to dive deep into the colors, sounds, and emotions of this incredible country.
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🎥 Watch my interview about the journey through India: Click here to watch on YouTube
Featured Stories from India
Exploring the spiritual, cultural, and human heartbeat of the subcontinent
India was not just a destination—it was a turning point. From my first chaotic night in Delhi to soul-stirring moments on the banks of the Ganges during Maha Kumbh Mela, each experience revealed something unexpected: about India, about humanity, and about myself.
This series of stories captures that unfolding. Some moments were overwhelming. Others were serene. All of them were real.
🇮🇳 Read:🌍 India Travel & Spiritual Journey Series
- The Word Was with God – How India Found Me
A personal and spiritual awakening begins in India’s heartland. - Delhi Shock – My First Night in India
Raw impressions from the chaotic, vibrant capital. - The Divine Heart of India – Vrindavan, Krishna, and Rama
A deep dive into sacred cities and mythic lore. - Madness or Faith? A Pilgrimage to Maha Kumbh Mela
Encountering the world’s largest religious gathering. - Exploring Hinduism’s Greatest Festival – Maha Kumbh Mela 2025
A guide and reflection on faith, crowds, and ritual. - To Be or Not to Be: On the Eve of the Great Bathing
Facing existential questions on the threshold of the sacred. - Where the Fires Burn – First Encounters with Varanasi
A visceral arrival in India’s most mystical city. - Between Life and Flame – Tales from the Ganges
Reflections on death, devotion, and the river’s eternal flame. - Journey Through Varanasi – Saturn, Sound, and Spirit
Myths, music, and meaning in India’s spiritual capital. - Puttaparthi: A Dream Made Real
A village transformed by faith: the story of Sathya Sai Baba’s birthplace. - At the Edge of the Universe – A Journey Through Puttaparthi
A cosmic path of devotion, silence, and the soul’s unfolding.
My Story of Traveling Through the World
Welcome to IYTravel, where I share my passion for exploration through thoughtful, in-depth travel writing.
My name is Inna Yugova, and the “IY” in IYTravel represents both my initials and the question that drives this journey: “Why do I travel?”
As I launch this platform and embark on a six-month solo journey through South and Southeast Asia, I find myself reflecting on the deeper meaning behind it. This year marks 700 years since the death of Marco Polo—a timeless symbol of human curiosity and the call to the unknown. Like him, I travel not only to see the world, but to experience it deeply, and to grow through every encounter.
This journal is more than a log of destinations—it’s a space where I explore the inner journey that parallels the outer one. From ancient cities to remote temples, I’ll share not just what I see, but what I feel: the quiet revelations, the unexpected connections, and the questions that stay with me long after I leave a place.
South and Southeast Asia—my first major region—offers the same richness and mystery that once captivated travelers centuries ago. Through these stories, I invite you to walk beside me, step by step, into cultures both ancient and alive, landscapes both raw and sacred.
Each article is a window into a lived experience.
I hope it will inspire your own journey—whether across the globe or inward toward yourself.
Recent Blog Post
At the Edge of the Universe: A Journey Through Puttaparthi
A Museum of Faiths Missed the beginning? Read the first part of the story here:…
Puttaparthi – A Dream Made Real
A Different Kind of India The next morning, our journey to Puttaparthi began. It was…
Journey Through Varanasi: Saturn, Sound, and Spirit
Discover more from Varanasi:👉 Where the Fires Burn – First Encounters with Varanasi reveals the…
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