LONAVALA

  LONAVALA

Lonavala is another fabulous hill station of India covered with lush greenary and amazing landscape. It is one among my favourite hill stations and is the closest to Mumbai city. It is very popular among residents of Mumbai and Pune and is crowded throughout the year, especially in the rainy season. The breathe taking views of the mountains , waterfalls , valleys of this hill station fascinate me.

Lonavala is well connected by roads and railways. The natural beauty of Lonavala is captivating which makes it picture-perfect for a picnic with loved ones in the mountain ranges. Pawna lake, Rajmachi fort, Lohagad fort, Visapur fort, Bhushi dam, Lonavala lake, Imagica Adlabs , celebrity wax museum and Aamby valley are the famous tourist and picnic spots here.  The Kinara village dhaba,  German bakery,  Mummy's homely food and Rama Krishna are some of the popular restaurants here. Don't forget to buy the Lonavala Chikki when you visit this hill station.  Lonavala is always crowded especially on weekends.

It is a bliss to visit this place in the monsoon.  The beautiful view of the waterfalls, the green mountain tops , the lush greenery and the valleys will leave you in awe. The only drawback is that pollution levels have increased due to the growing migration and rapid urbanisation. There are plenty of shopping malls and markets for shopping here. All types of street food are also available. There are also a large number of hotels and resorts in Lonavala. It is a perfect picnic spot to go with your friends and family. People of all religions , communities and backgrounds visit Lonavala.

I have visited Lonavala many times and the vibe of this place makes me happy. It feels more like home.I always love and cherish each moment when I am here.  A trip to Lonavala always leaves me refreshed! 

Goa

                            Goa

Everyone gets fascinated on hearing the name of Goa.  Goa is not just a state but entirely an emotion within itself. Filled with beautiful beaches, renowed temples, and amazing sea food, it is a pleasure to tour this place. It just gets everyone weak in the knees.Goa is gifted with abundance of natural beauty and heritage. The breath-taking sites of beaches, the mountains, seas, valleys, trees fascinate many tourists from India and abroad. Lets have a look at some of the tourist sites and beaches of Goa which you will cherish for long!

1) CALANGUTE BEACH:  It is one of the most popular beaches in Goa. People can enjoy various water sports, rides here.  There are also many shops lined up towards the beach selling footwear, clothes , goggles, drinks, caps and bags. A walk by the beach is cherished by many tourists. There are also many restaurants located on the beach selling mouth-watering sea food and drinks, of course.

2) MIRAMAR BEACH:   This is also one of the most well known beaches of Goa. One can get a beautiful view of the dolphins, the central jail, the ancient lighthouse , and the lush greenary around. This beach offers an incredible view of the sea and its scenic beauty. Make sure that you visit this beach atleast one in your lifetime.

3)COLVA BEACH :  It is the second longest beach in India after the Marina beach in Chennai. The length of Marina beach is 15 kms long while the Colva beach is 13 kms long. It is a beautiful beach covered with coconut trees, white sand , bushes, flowers and eating joints.

4) VAGATOR BEACH:  Vagator beach is also among the most famous beaches of Goa. It is well known as among the best places for viewing the charm of sunsets.  It is a beach famous for its seclusion with the Chapora fort.

5) ANJUNA BEACH: Anjuna beach is very popular among the foreigners. It is a beautiful picnic spot where large number of families come here for dining, exploring and relaxing.

6) MARINE FISH ACQUARIUM : It consists of different varieties of fishes which highlight the beauty of beauty of Goa's marine life. The various types of fishes displayed here are piranha, goldfish, sharks, lobsters, jelly fish ,crabs and pomfrets. I had an enjoyable time at this place.

7) BOAT CRUISE:  It is an enjoyable and pleasing ferry ride through which we can see different iconic places of Goa while travelling by the lakeside. We get a view of Goa's culture, heritage, tradition, lifestyle in the boat cruise. It is surely an enjoyable experience.

8) DONA PAULA BEACH:

Dona Paula Beach is one of the best beaches in Goa for honeymoon tourists. Nicknamed "Lovers' Paradise," this coastal destination in the suburbs of Panaji even has its own love legend.

The tale is about Dona Paula, the daughter of a Portuguese viceroy, who threw herself into the Arabian Sea after her father forbade her from seeing a Goan fisherman who had stolen her heart. The viceroy was so saddened by the loss of his young daughter that he named this entire beautiful area after her, and treated it as a tribute to eternal romance. 

9) BAGA BEACH:  It is a popular beach and tourist destination in North Goa. Baga beach is famous for water sports, such as parasailing and banana rides, and dolphin cruises.

Manali

   MANALI

Manali is one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in India as well as abroad.   I love the sight of its snow capped mountains, pine trees, and lush greenery. It is a bliss for travellers, trekkers, photographers , adventure lovers and also the common people. It is also a delight for people who love shopping. The very popular Mall road  is lined up with shops selling shawls, clothes, footwear. It also consists of many restaurants where people can relish their favourite food. 

Manali is like a home for me. The culture and vibe of this beautiful hill station pleases me the most. Tourism is the major source of income here. The famous Hidimba temple among the tall pine trees is an ideal place of worship. The most famous landmark of Manali is the Rohtang pass which is covered with snow throughout the year and is a heaven for tourists who love to do skeing and trekking.  A plate of maggi in one hand and a  cup of hot tea on the other while enjoying the cool breeze of the snow clad mountains is the most enjoyable thing to do here. Samosas,  momos, bread omelette, gulab jamuns, cantonese noodles and  the Bombay bhel puri are the lip-smacking delicacies of Manali that one should definately have.

Tourists from India and also from abroad visit this beautiful hill station. The ideal months of visiting Manali is from April to October. Winters are very cold here with temperatures going below -5* Celsius. The 50 km journey from Manali to Rohtang pass is one of the most breathtaking spectacles of nature. It is a delight to do activities such as biking, hiking and camping on this beautiful stretch. Rahala waterfall is a popular attraction in the Rohtang pass. The local people are simple and very friendly with the tourists. Each time I remember my trip to Manali, I feel like going there again and again. Another important landmark of Manali is the Great Himalayan National park and the Manali wildlife sanctuary. They are home to many mountain animals as well as exquisite green landscapes.

Each time I entered  the balcony of my hotel room, I would be  mesmerised looking at the breathtaking views of the sunrise and sunsets. After visiting this beautiful hill station, I was in a bliss. I wish I never left that place. The beautiful landscapes of Manali shall always remain fresh in my mind.

Matheran

  MATHERAN

Matheran is one among the smallest yet a unique hill station of  India. It is 90 kms from Mumbai and 120 kms from Pune. Known for its scenic beauty and green cover, Matheran has become a very popular hill station in  a short span of time. It is a perfect getaway for people from Mumbai away from the hustle and bustle of the city. It is also one of the most beautiful hill stations in India. 

You can get there by cars and taxis. There is also a toy train facility arranged from Neral to get to Matheran. It is also known as the 'Land of Monkeys since monkeys are present there in large numbers in every nook and corner. Covered with trees, bushes , Matheran is less polluted compared to the other hill stations of India. It is one of my favourite hill stations because of its  superb planning and cute structure. There are large number of hotels, lodges, restaurants and cafes present here. The vibe and environment of this place is calm and peaceful. Matheran  is also the best hill station to enjoy the sunsets and sunrise views.

It is also a boon for travellers , trekkers and photographers.  You can go to Mall road where you shop some amazing stuff. Eatables like chikki, vada pav, tea, coffee and juices are popular here. Louisia point, Echo point, Charlotte lake, Monkey point, Matheran Market and Khandala point are the famous landmarks here. The  Sunset point offers a mindblowing view of sunset which will surely steal your heart.  You can visit this entire hill station on foot or by horse carts.

 

Popularly known as 'the cutest little hill station', Matheran is an absolute delight for its visitors. Also , do remember one thing  in Matheran; never leave any food, mobile or your wallet open or else the monkeys would snatch it away. I never get bored of visiting this place again and again. My scary as well as a fond memory  of Matheran is when monkeys snatched a full bunch of bananas from my hand . That was an epic moment. The whole hill station appears like a tunnel of greenery. Matheran shall always remain close to my heart.

Mahabaleshwar

 MAHABALESHWAR

Mahabaleshwar is another beautiful and mesmorising hill station located in Satara district of Maharashtra. The soothing climate and the green hills are a pleasure to watch here. I remember having spent my best time here. The jungles of Mahabaleshwar are known for their density and various species of birds and wildlife. Near to this  hill station lies Panchgani , which  is another  famous tourist spot. The strawberries of Mahabaleshwar are the best. 

Mahabaleshwar is also known for its vast plateaus , beautiful roads and forests. It is surrounded by greenery all around . Visiting this hill station will surely improve your health. Lets have a look at some of the features of Mahabaleshwar:

PLACES TO SEE:  For places of worship, you can visit Shri Shankar mandir and Panchaganga mandir. For  adventure activities such as hiking , trekking and climbing,  Wilson point, Castle rock,  Connought peak, Elphinstone peak, Carnac point are perfect. Pratapgad fort is also present.

SHOPPING :  Strawberries, raspberries and jams are the most popular food items here. Head to Main street to purchase them. Local shoes made of wood are also very popular in the region and can be brought at cheap  prices.

EATING OUT:  Mahabaleshwar is a little more modern then most hill stations of Maharashtra. If you are looking for  local food, try Hirakanis. For fast food lovers, there are food stalls selling pizzas, burgers and sandwiches.  There are also restaurants selling Chinese, Italian, North Indian and South Indian dishes. The Batata Vada is very famous here, don't forget to try it.

ACCOMODATION: There are many hotels and lodges here where you can have a comfortable stay.

BEST TIME OF THE YEAR TO VISIT: All year around.

 HOW TO REACH: By road , Mahabaleshwar is connected by various bus services and private taxis from Pune , Mumbai and Satara. By rail, direct trains are available from CST(Mumbai) and Pune to Satara. You can easily get private cars , cabs and state run buses once in Mahabaleshwar.

       The people of this hill station are extremely hospitable and friendly. Besides that, the  cool climate shall  make your trip a memorable one. Don't forget to buy the delicious strawberries from Mahabaleshwar. Do visit this hill station with your family or friends and create wonderful memories.

Navi Mumbai

                      Navi Mumbai 

Navi Mumbai is a city which I really admire.  It is a dream city which everyone would wish to live in. It is the largest planned city in India as well as the world. It is also one of the cleanest cities in India after Chandigarh. Navi Mumbai is very close to Mumbai . They are connected to each other by the Vashi creek bridge and the Airoli bridge. The main aim of creating Navi Mumbai was to decongest Mumbai and reduce the burden of urbanisation and migration in Mumbai.

Navi Mumbai boasts of having a variety of well known educational institutes offering courses in streams which include engineering, medical, hotel management, architecture and media. Various multinational companies like Siemens, Mcdonalds, Reliance, Accenture  and Larsen and Toubro have their head offices and branches across the city , making it an active business hub.  Navi Mumbai also consists of a variety of tourist places to explore such as golf course,  Central park and Pandavkada waterfalls in Kharghar, Parsik hill near CBD Belapur, Wonders park in Nerul, Nerul lake, Palm beach road between Belapur and Vashi , and the Karnala Bird sanctuary in Panvel.  SIES college, Nerul and Pillai's college in Panvel are the best colleges in Navi Mumbai. Navi Mumbai is connected by all means of transport such as buses, trains and rickshaws.  The railway stations in Navi Mumbai are beautiful and are a proof of wonderful engineering marvels and architecture. Lets have a look at some of the tourist places in Navi Mumbai:

1) Central park, Kharghar

2) Wonders park, Nerul 

3) Pandavkada falls, Kharghar

4) Karnala bird sanctuary

5)Belapur fort

6)Palm beach road  (Vashi to Belapur)

7) DY Patil stadium, Nerul

8) Nerul lake

9) Parsik hill (between Nerul and Belapur)

10) CIDCO Golf course, Kharghar

11)Utsav Chowk, Kharghar

12)Airoli Knowledge park

13) Nerul Balaji temple

14) Inorbit mall , Vashi

15)Seawoods  Grand Central mall, Seawoods

I studied my degree college in SIES college in Nerul and got a feel of how Navi Mumbai looks like. Navi Mumbai is truely a jem  of a city as it consists of recreational places as well as commercial and residential complexes. Just like Mumbai, Navi Mumbai too,  has developed rapidly,  in a span of three decades. All forms of life can be seen here.  In a short span of time, this city has seen a rise in the demand for residential and commercial sectors. Navi Mumbai is also less polluted, calm, peaceful and exactly the opposite of the hustle and bustle of Mumbai city. . It has a life and a charm  of its own. A trip to Navi Mumbai always makes me happy.

Shimla

    SHIMLA

Shimla is one of the most popular hill stations of India and is visited by millions of tourists every year. It is also known as the queen of hill stations. Situation in  the hilly areas of Himachal Pradesh, the flora and fauna  and the beauty of this hill station cannot be described in words alone. Its lush green valleys, snow clad mountains, pine trees, and the amazing hospitality by the local people here is what carries its name forward. The famous Kalka-Shimla railway line which was built during the British era has been  inscribed to the list of the UNESCO World heritage sites.

Shimla also attracts tourists from abroad.  It is also the capital of Himachal Pradesh. Everyone praises the beauty of this place.  The weather is amazing here all throughout the year .  Its the best during the winter months between November and February.  Let's have a look at some of the tourist places to explore here:

1) Scandal point

2)Mall road

3)Himachal state museum

4) Skiing in Kufri

5) Pabbar valley

6) Horse riding in Shimla

7)Cafe Hide Out

8)Green valley

9)  Kalka -Shimla toy train ride

10) Himalayan bird park

11) Cafe Simla times

    Shimla is also known for possessing all types of food  items such as Chinese, Italian , Mexican , North  Indian and South Indian delicacies. It is connected by all modes of transportation such as roadways, railways and airways. There are plenty of hotels available as per your choice.  Shimla is also one of the best places for shopping . Himachali hats,  woolen items , local handicrafts, traditional jewellery are some of the famous items which you can purchase here.  Best places for shopping in Shimla are  the Mall road, Tibetan market, Himachal Emporium, Ram bazaar, middle bazaar and the lower bazaar.

Shimla is one of the hill stations which you must visit atleast once in your lifetime. The natural beauty and pure environment  of this place will never leave you disappointed.  The next time you plan a trip with your family or friends, do not forget to add Shimla on the list.