Every May, almost like clockwork, we pack our bags and head across the world.

Over the years, it has become a family ritual. Some families have annual beach holidays. Others prefer mountain retreats. Ours seems to revolve around two of the world’s greatest cities — New York and London.

This year was no different.

The itinerary itself looked ambitious.

1st May Mumbai to London.

2nd May London to New York.

10th May Newyork to London.

14th May back to Mumbai.

A lot of flying in a short period of time, but then the best family traditions are rarely built on convenience.

This year’s travels revolved around our youngest traveller, Aayansh.

Not because he was new to international travel. London is already familiar territory for him, having visited before, including last year. The challenge was New York. The longer flight, the greater distance and all the unpredictability that comes with travelling across the Atlantic.

For us, there was another important consideration. Aayansh is autistic, and routine, predictability and familiarity play a huge role in ensuring he is comfortable.

That meant every detail mattered.

Flight timings.

Airport transfers.

Meal schedules.

Downtime.

Sleep patterns.

Everything was planned carefully.

Fortunately, all our flights were with Virgin Atlantic, and we deliberately chose early morning departures that worked best for Aayansh.

Like every parent travelling with a young child, we worried about fellow passengers.

Would he sleep?

Would he become overwhelmed?

Would the unfamiliar environment be difficult?

To help ease our concerns, we prepared small goodie bags and included handwritten notes for nearby passengers. The notes briefly introduced Aayansh, apologised in advance if he had a challenging moment during the flight and thanked everyone for their understanding.

The response was incredible.

Passengers smiled.

Many came over to meet him.

Some shared stories of travelling with their own children.

Others simply appreciated the gesture.

What could have been a source of anxiety became one of the most heartwarming parts of the journey.

Home in the Heart of Times Square

Our stay in New York deserves a special mention.

This year we stayed right in the heart of Times Square and honestly, I couldn’t have asked for a better location.

Everything was right outside our doorstep.

The lights.

The crowds.

The energy.

The excitement.

Whether it was heading out for a meal, celebrating special occasions, taking long walks or simply soaking in the atmosphere, Times Square became our home for a few days.

For those few days, we weren’t just visiting Times Square.

We were living in it.

Family Across Borders

One of the highlights of the New York leg had nothing to do with sightseeing.

Normally, we would try to visit Canada during our travels, but this year that wasn’t possible.

So instead, we asked my sister’s son, Ishaan, if he would join us in New York.

Thankfully, he did.

He flew in from Canada and met us after arriving through JFK.

What started as a practical decision quickly became one of the best parts of the trip.

Having Ishaan around was a huge support, especially with all the moving parts involved in travelling with children.

But more importantly, it gave us precious family time.

Aarav loved having him around.

Aayansh bonded beautifully with him.

And for me and Mama, it was wonderful watching the cousins spend time together.

Some of our favourite memories from New York came not from tourist attractions but simply from being together.

Why These Two Cities Matter

If there is one person who truly embodies our annual May tradition, it is Yenki.

Long before this year’s trip, New York and London had already earned a special place in her heart.

Ask her to name her favourite cities in the world and the answer has always been immediate — New York and London.

Perhaps it is the energy.

Perhaps it is the history.

Perhaps it is the feeling that every street has a story waiting to be discovered.

Whatever the reason, these two cities have always held a special magic for her.

One of my favourite sights throughout the trip was watching her effortlessly bring a piece of home to some of the world’s most iconic locations.

Whether it was walking through Times Square in a saree, exploring London streets or posing for photographs against some of the most recognisable backdrops in the world, she carried herself with grace, confidence and elegance.

There was something beautiful about seeing Indian culture represented in the middle of Times Square’s bright lights and towering screens.

People stopped.

People looked.

Some smiled.

And many admired.

In a city where everyone is trying to stand out, she managed to do so simply by being herself.

Celebrations in New York

This trip also gave us the opportunity to celebrate two important milestones.

Our wedding anniversary.

And Aarav’s birthday.

Both in New York.

There is something about New York that makes celebrations feel bigger.

The city has a way of turning ordinary moments into memorable ones.

Birthday dinners feel more special.

Evening walks feel cinematic.

Every corner seems to carry an energy that encourages you to celebrate life.

But even New York’s endless ability to surprise couldn’t compete with what became the defining moment of the trip.

For our anniversary, I had arranged a surprise for Yenki.

Without her knowledge, I had organised for her image to appear on a Times Square billboard for twenty-four hours.

Watching her reaction when she realised what she was seeing was priceless.

In a city famous for larger-than-life moments, for one day she became part of the skyline.

The surprise was never really about the billboard.

It was about celebrating someone who has always found joy in exploring the world, creating memories for our family, embracing every adventure and making every destination feel special.

The billboard lasted twenty-four hours.

The smile it created will last much longer.

Back to Our London Home

After the energy and excitement of New York came something equally enjoyable — London.

And as always, we stayed in Marylebone.

There is something about Marylebone that keeps drawing us back. It feels familiar, comfortable and welcoming. Every visit feels less like checking into a hotel and more like returning to a neighbourhood we know and love.

This year, London brought its own special family reunion.

My elder brother’s son, Tushar, joined us from Loughborough University.

Seeing him was genuinely one of the highlights of the London stay.

Not only was he confidently travelling on his own, but he looked like a completely different person from the last time we had seen him.

More mature.

More confident.

In fantastic shape.

Watching young family members grow into independent adults is one of life’s great pleasures, and spending time with Tushar gave us all immense happiness.

The conversations, meals and time spent together made London even more memorable.

The Perfect Balance

The more I visit these two cities, the more I appreciate how perfectly they complement each other.

New York gives you energy.

London gives you perspective.

New York encourages celebration.

London encourages reflection.

New York is excitement.

London is comfort.

Together, they create a balance that keeps drawing us back year after year.

As I look back on May 2026, I won’t remember every booking confirmation, flight number or itinerary detail.

I’ll remember the kindness of strangers who received our goodie bags.

I’ll remember Ishaan joining us from Canada.

I’ll remember Tushar meeting us from university.

I’ll remember Aarav’s birthday.

I’ll remember our anniversary.

I’ll remember Yenki walking through Times Square in a saree as confidently as if she owned the city.

I’ll remember her looking up at a billboard she never expected to see.

And I’ll remember Aayansh successfully completing his longest journey yet, reminding us that while some adventures require a little more planning, they are often the ones that create the most meaningful memories.

A tale of two cities, yes.

But more than that, a tale of family, milestones, resilience, gratitude and the joy of being together.

And that, more than New York or London, is what made this May unforgettable.