In big joint families like ours, planning a trip feels like managing a corporate merger. But this year, the stars aligned in a way we couldn’t ignore. Our patriarch our Bade papa Mr. Chola himself was turning 70 on 1 August 2025. The same day as International Beer Day. It felt like destiny’s way of telling us that it’s time for a family reunion with a side of cheer.

Bade papa, Chote papa and my father are three brothers, each with their grown-up children now working in cities scattered across the globe. Mr. Chola, the eldest brother has two daughters who somehow still call him daily for advice on taxes and even cooking. Then my father has two children me and my sister and we both are so busy that we schedule family calls like client meetings. The youngest brother has two sons, self-declared foodies and travel influencers who always know the best spot but never agree on one.

As cousins, we hadn’t all been in one place for years. We used to be inseparable chasing kites on our village terrace, stealing mangoes from Appa’s orchard, plotting elaborate pranks during weddings. We even had a secret club that mainly existed to hide biscuits from the adults.

But now? Video calls. Group chats. Emojis instead of hugs.

When someone jokingly suggested combining Appa’s birthday with International Beer Day, the plan became serious fast. We all agreed on one thing that we wanted a real getaway. Somewhere beautiful enough for photos but relaxed enough for us to sit around and laugh for hours.

That’s how Uttarakhand entered the plan. Cool mountain air, pine forests, winding roads perfect for long cousin gossip sessions. We built an itinerary that gave everyone something to brag about at work later.

First stop: Rishikesh
We arrived in batches, meeting at a Sterling Palm Bliss Rishikesh with hugs that turned into mock-wrestling matches. We tried rafting but Bade papa sensibly refused, and the uncles screamed like teenagers every time we hit a rapid. We explored cafés with Ganga views, argued over the best coffee and recreated an old family photo same pose 30 years older and about 30% more hair missing.

Next: Dehradun
The city surprised us with its old British architecture and quiet bakeries. Bade Papa insisted on visiting the old Clock Tower, where he told the same story of buying jalebis as a boy.

Final stop: the hills

We chose a quiet corner of Uttarakhand for our main stay. A beautiful Sterling Holiday property welcomed us with views that made the city feel like a bad dream. The cousins picked rooms with balconies facing valleys. The uncles and their wives gathered in one room and talked till it was time for dinner.

Sterling had a Café which had a cosy bar no loud music, just soft laughter and the sound of glasses clinking. On International Beer Day and Bade Papa’s 70th and we filled it with our tribe. We ordered local craft beers, some international favourites and even non-alcoholic options for those pretending to stay healthy.

Bade Papa watched us all, smiling in that quiet way of his, accepting toast after toast. Someone played old 90’s Bollywood songs on their phone. We told the server it was a birthday, and they surprised us with a little cake. We cheered, cousins high-fived and the uncles wiped their eyes when they thought no one noticed.

That night on the terrace, under stars brighter than any city skyline, we all realised what we’d been missing. Not just a holiday but this. Sitting together without rushing off. Hearing the same stories for the hundredth time and laughing anyway.

Before leaving we made a promise. Not formal, no big speeches. Just one of the cousins saying, “Next year again?” and everyone nodding.

Because it shouldn’t take an 70th birthday to remind us to be a family.

If you’re thinking of planning your own family reunion, do it. Find a place that lets you slow down and simply be. And if you want views like ours, a warm welcome, and a bar perfect for raising a toast to the people who matter most, you’ll know where to look.