Posts by Monica Tinna

Monica Tinna

Solo Traveller & Founder, Merci Journey

Monica Tinna is a solo traveller and the founder of Merci Journey. She believes the best trips aren't planned by algorithms — they're crafted by real experience, honest advice, and the wisdom to know that every destination has its own true cost. When she's not designing journeys, she's taking them.

Egypt: Where the Nile Flows, the Red Sea Glows, and Stories Unfold

Monica Tinna 23 October, 2026 Suitcase Wisdom

Sixteen days. One country. A midnight border crossing, missed buses, pushy guides—and the Nile at sunset. This is Egypt, unfiltered.

Türkiye – A City That Lies on Two Continents

Monica Tinna 15 October, 2026 Suitcase Wisdom

What happens when you go beyond Istanbul, Cappadocia, and Pamukkale — and let Türkiye show you its real face? An 18-day solo journey through the unfiltered, the unexpected, and the unplanned. From a cancelled scooter rental that led to a fully unplanned trip, to getting lost on Mount Sivri and es...

Jordan Unearthed: Where the Past Still Breathes

Monica Tinna 31 July, 2026 Suitcase Wisdom

What does Jordan feel like when you're a solo Indian woman, travelling during Ramadan, with war breaking out and your period on Day 5? This.

Walk Away to Find Vietnam: A Backward Journey from Saigon Grit to Hanoi Grace

Monica Tinna 04 June, 2026 Suitcase Wisdom

In Saigon, no one smiles. In Sapa, everyone stops. Between them lies a country that doesn't just show you its beauty—it makes you earn it. I started my Vietnam journey at the end and walked backward into the most honest travel experience of my life. Here's what the brochures won't tell you, and w...

Cheapest Isn't Lowest. Comfortable Isn't Costliest.

Monica Tinna 01 June, 2026 Myth Detours

Mehta Ji booked a ₹15,999 Shimla-Manali group tour. He spent ₹42,000 fixing it. The cheapest tour isn't the lowest cost — it's the most expensive lie you'll tell yourself. Here's the math, the myths, and why private tours with Merci Journey save your wallet, your time, and your will to live.

The '₹1 Lakh Per Person' Bali Dream — What It Can Actually Feel Like

Monica Tinna 29 May, 2026 Dream It, Budget It

Is ₹1 lakh per person enough for a real Bali experience — boutique stays, smooth transfers, and zero chaos? Not a promise, just an honest look at what your dream budget can actually feel like when you have the right hands guiding it.

They Asked a Chatbot About Ladakh. Then They Came to Argue With Me.

Monica Tinna 28 May, 2026 Suitcase Wisdom

Tourists now trust chatbots more than travel experts. But can AI spot a road closure, handle altitude sickness, or know which flight actually operates on time? Here's the truth about planning your trip.