Jane Serena Chintha, an avid traveller, takes The Pioneer straight out from her pictures to her travelogue experiences in a quick chat for our Travelogue segment.
Aarti Sreenath
Forget the postcard-perfectness of travel brochures. Close your eyes and imagine a world where wanderlust bleeds into wandering women. That is Jane Serena Chintha for you! Marketing whiz by day, intrepid explorer by wanderlust, she is a kaleidoscope of energy. She weaves well-being into everything she touches, even her wildly popular podcast, Stay Sane with Jane. Each episode is a captivating yarn woven with threads of laughter, heartwarming stories and maybe a tear or two—all straight from her travelogue of life. And let us not forget her viral reels! They are a visual feast, especially for her Telugu fans, taking them on breathtaking tours that leave you yearning to ditch the guidebook and get gloriously lost.
Buckle up, because Jane’s just back from a European adventure and she is about to spill the wanderlust-inducing tea. Her latest escapade took her to the enchanting streets of Europe. “My recent trip to Europe was unforgettable. I spent two days in Barcelona and seven days in Italy,” she recounts. “Among all the places I visited, Naples stood out the most. I absolutely loved Naples—the vibe, food and people. There is something raw and relatable about this city that makes it incredibly special. I felt a strange sense of belonging there, something I did not experience anywhere else during my travels. I would love to live in Naples someday, maybe for a year or two, to really soak in everything the city has to offer. It’s a place that feels like home in a way no other place does.”
Naples, with its bustling streets and never-ending energy, made a lasting impression on Jane. “Naples is incredibly lively, with streets that are always buzzing. You can see steam rising from little espresso cups at any time of day because the city never stops. Before my trip, I created a mood board for my European wardrobe. I wanted to radiate feminine energy, so it featured lots of whites, flowery dresses and skirts. I’m very happy with how my holiday wardrobe turned out.”
Her travels are rich with cultural experiences and local interactions. One incident in Barcelona stands out. “When I first landed in Barcelona, I was very nervous since I didn’t know the language. On my second morning, I went out to get coffee at a nearby café. I tried to stick my phone on someone’s door to take a picture of myself and an older man came up to me and asked if he could take the picture for me. A sane person would probably say no and not give their phone to a stranger, especially with all the stories about pickpocketing in Barcelona. But I handed him my phone and ended up with some nice pictures! I also asked other tourists to take pictures of me because I was by myself and everyone was very sweet.”
Her stay in Naples was made even more special by a local friend, who introduced her to the city’s hidden gems. “I stayed with a friend and I’m so grateful for that, as it allowed me to discover the city through local eyes. They took me to a quaint little shop run by an elderly man named Mario. I never quite caught the shop’s real name, but we called it Mario’s. With its great-value drinks, especially the 1-euro spritz and a lively atmosphere of dancing and singing, Mario’s quickly became a favourite spot. Those evenings spent there, soaking up the easy-going Neapolitan vibe, are memories I’ll always treasure.”
When asked about a unique place in India, her eyes light up. “Every state in India is culturally rich and uniquely distinct, but I have a special fondness for Hyderabad. After living there my entire life and taking time to travel and experience the world, I’d still choose to return and call it home. There is nothing about the city I dislike; it strikes the perfect balance between modernity and tradition. Hyderabadis, with their generous plates of Biryani and even bigger hearts, make the city feel like home in the most comforting way.”
Jane prefers the coziness of Airbnbs when travelling solo, but hotels occasionally find their way into her itinerary. “It’s always important to check reviews before making a reservation, as they can be incredibly helpful. Also, make sure the place has all the essentials you need. I remember staying at a hotel in London that didn’t provide fresh toiletries, which surprised me since I had always assumed that all hotels offered these basics.”
For rejuvenation, Jane turns to serene landscapes of Scotland. “I live in Scotland, where the pace is relaxed and the scenery is calming. Sometimes, life here feels like it’s straight out of a movie and I absolutely love it. When I feel the urge to escape, I head to the Highlands. There’s something about the mountains that just revitalises me—taking a road trip through the Highlands is like a remedy for everything. Even though life can get a bit monotonous at times, the natural beauty here always brings back a sense of wonder.”
Her travels are filled with unexpected adventures and cultural surprises. “I’ve been travelling alone quite a bit recently, whether for work or vacations and booking an Airbnb can be pretty daunting. I’ve been nervous more times than I can count—like when I first arrived in Aberdeen, stayed in a tiny room in Barcelona, or rented a flat for myself in Scotland. It’s a mix of fear and tranquility to be on your own like that. In those moments, I find comfort in praying to God and trusting that I’m protected and nothing will happen to me.”
The content creator also shared a funny cultural misunderstanding she encountered in Scotland. “In the early days of settling into Scotland, I cooked chicken curry for my friends and later, my English friend decided to try making it himself. A month later, when we were both hungry and debating what to eat, he suddenly suggested chicken curry. I warned him it might take a while to cook, but he replied, ‘No, I froze the chicken curry from last time. We can just eat that.’ I was shocked! The idea of eating curry that was a month old was hard to digest, but he insisted it was perfectly fine since it was frozen. That was definitely my biggest culture shock.”
Her European adventure was as much about food as it was about exploration. “You absolutely must try Neapolitan pizza. There’s nothing like it! The first time I had it, I was incredibly hungry and my friend took me to the place where Julia Roberts had pizza in Eat Pray Love. It turned out to be the best pizza I’ve ever had. Plus, the food is incredibly affordable.”
Reflecting on her travels, she says, “I think the trip was incredibly self-reflective. I learned a lot about myself, including the kind of holiday I enjoy and the lifestyle I prefer. Solo travel is something everyone should experience at least once. It’s not only liberating but also offers valuable lessons about the world and about oneself.”
When it comes to souvenirs, she has a charming habit. “Nothing strange so far, but I have a habit of picking up little gifts for friends and family when I travel. My family always encouraged me to bring something special for loved ones. I remember when my parents bought me a set of handcrafted pens during a trip to Agra to give to my friends at school. I keep that habit alive, collecting small souvenirs that I think my friends would enjoy. It struck me as odd that not everyone shares this practice; I felt a bit strange when a colleague returned from a holiday without a souvenir for me, haha. But then I realised, I was just raised a bit differently.”
