ALPINE TRAILS AND HONEYED TALES 

(Travelogue)

IQBAL PALLAM

Every journey carries a story, and every story holds a fragment of the traveller’s soul. In this travelogue, where travel turns into a wonderful narrative and every reader accompanies the author to each destination, Iqbal Pallam guides us through winding streets, quiet villages, and landscapes filled with the lesser-known wonders of Europe – places where history and everyday life meet. Through the eyes of a photographer and with the voice of a compelling storyteller, he captures not only the beauty of the destinations he visited but also the intimate human moments that shape enduring memories. Whether you are an avid traveller or a dreamer at heart, Alpine Trails and Honeyed Tales will carry you across borders and leave you inspired to embark on your own journeys.

PREFACE

Life Journey

I have been fascinated by thrill of travel, by the embrace of nature and by the magic of photography since my childhood. Back in 1986, when I was in the tenth grade, our school announced that there would be no study tour that year. While most of my schoolmates sta back in disappointment, I couldn’t let the year slip by like that. Instead, I decided – with two friensd of my age – that we would set out across Kerala (a south-Indian state where I belong to) on our own.
To our delight, our families agreed. Though my parents refused to give any financial support for the trip, they allowed me to use my own savings.
I had been saving in a small scheme my father had enrolled me in since the fourth grade, and by then I had accumulated around a thousand rupees which would suffice my contribution for the trip. With my parents’ permission I withdrew it, and my friends too managed to gather their own share.
Then we set off, from Kasaragod to Palakkad / Malampuzha, Munnar, Thekkady, Thiruvananthapuram, Kanyakumari, Kovalam and finally covering Ernakulam/Kochi – the whole of Kerala, all in ten days. I captured around three hundred photos on film, but only a dozen or two had people in them. The rest all were the beauty of the nature we adored rather than shooting our own faces.
Those were the days before mobile phones or internet, when even landlines were scarce. Guided only by a printed map of Kerala bought from a book shop, and armed with courage and careful planning, a fifteen-year-old charted a journey that would become a foundation – not just for many travels to come, but for the larger journey of life itself.
During my youth in Bombay and Qatar, and in the early years of my life in Abu Dhabi, the circumstances didn’t allow for much travel. But as time passed, my love for photography grew, I started venturing out again – into deserts and mountains, chasing sunsets and starry nights, organizing small camping and photography trips that brought both challenge and joy. In time, my journeys grew wider. I drove many times to neighbouring country Oman, exploring it’s mighty mountain ranges, whispering valleys and beautiful villages.
I have always liked to plan well – studying routes, collecting details, mapping out each step before I set off. That habit made it easier to manage time for photography during short and extended family travels as well.
After almost every journey, I would create a video for private viewing. I had made one such beautiful video after our travel through Germany, Switzerland and Italy earlier. Later, when we visited Germany again and Austria and Slovenia, I intended to do the same. Yet this time, something felt different. We had rented a car and driven through small villages, stopping wherever we wished, and discovering unexpected wonders. We came home with not only images but also experiences too rich to be contained in a video. That is when the idea of a book began to take shape.
The appreciation it received on my article along with photographs, in a travel magazine on my trip to the less-explored land of Bhutan with my photography group, gave me the confidence to write this journey as a book in my native language, Malayalam. And, the highly positive response I received inspired me now to publish the English version of it, with some additional stories.
This book is more than just a travelogue. It is a collection of stories, reflections, and small lessons gathered along the way – especially for those who prefer to travel their own rather than in a group package. I hope both the words and the photographs speak to you, and perhaps inspire your own journeys.
And finally, there is someone without whom this love for travel and photography might never have grown. My beloved father, who not only encouraged me but also always made sure to arrange a camera for me in my trips when I was young. He left us in August 2018, but his memory lives on in every step I take. I humbly dedicate this travelogue to him who trained me to see the world in its purity.

FOREWORD

Travel is more than just a journey from one place to another – it’s an exploration of new cultures, landscapes, and connections that shape who we are. Alpine Trails and Honeyed Tales by Iqbal Pallam beautifully captures not only the spirit of adventure but also the heartwarming moments that make every journey unforgettable.
As you turn each page, you embark alongside the author on roads less travelled and bustling places alike, witnessing the beauty and complexity of our world supported with stunning photographs that bring to life the vibrant colours and everyday magic of the destinations visited.
Each image invites you to see the world through the traveller’s eyes, sparking your own wanderlust and curiosity. Whether it’s the vibrant culture of a remote village, the breathtaking vistas of untamed nature, or the simple kindness of strangers, these stories remind us that travel opens the mind and warms the heart.
Adding an exciting dimension to this book are the videos, easily accessible through QR codes scattered throughout the chapters. These moving glimpses offer a deeper, immersive experience-bringing sounds, motion, and life to the places described, making you feel as if you are right there alongside the author.
What makes this book especially valuable is its thoughtful guidance on traveling with kids and family. The tips woven throughout offer practical advice to help make your own adventures smoother, more enjoyable, and full of shared memories-whether you’re navigating busy cities or quiet countryside.
Alpine Trails and Honeyed Tales is both a celebration of discovery and a helpful companion for families who want to embrace the joy of travel together. May it inspire you to pack your bags, gather your loved ones, and set out on journeys that enrich your lives and broaden your horizons.

– SANTHOSH GEORGE KULANGARA