ALIBAUG

Alibaug is one of the most popular and wonderful hangout places in Maharashtra. Located at just 95 kms from Mumbai, it is well known for its beautiful and serene beaches, sea forts and local seafood. It is a good weekend getaway spot for Mumbaikars as well as Punekars. It is famous especially among the youngsters, who love adventures and the beaches. Surrounded by the Arabian sea on all sides, it is also known as the 'Goa of Maharashtra'.  Alibaug is famous for its breathtaking sunrise as well as sunset views. A stroll on the beaches here is like the best things in the world to do.

HOW TO REACH: 

By road: If you are travelling from Mumbai, you can reach Alibaug by NH 17. One can reach Alibag via Pen (30kms) , located on the Mumbai-Goa highway.

By rail: The nearest railway station is located at Pen. The railway station is connection to Panvel  in Mumbai through the Central railway station. One can then reach Alibaug by local transport like buses, rickshaws and taxis.

By sea: The nearest jetty is located at Mandawa from where ferry services are available to the Gateway of India. Another port around Alibaug is in the district of Rewas.

FOOD: Alibaug is famous for its seafood catch that include lobsters, prawns, pomfrets and crab. Many restaurants serve the 'Bombay Duck' , made with the freshest spices and the local curry.

SHOPPING: Shopaholics will be able to find local, handmade garments, bags, antique jewellery, leather items and furniture. The 'Kolhapuris' chappals are also easily available at throwaway prices.

BEST TIME TO VISIT: The best time to visit Alibaug is from October to March.

PLACES TO VISIT:

1) Alibaug beach

2) Kolaba fort

3) Nagaon beach

4) Kashid beach

5) Mandwa

6) Varsoli beach

7) Raigad bazaar mall

8) Murud beach

9) Awas beach

10) Korlai beach

Alibaug seems like a second home for me. It is such a beautiful place that its images always remain on my mind. It's like one of the most beautiful places in the world. Away from the city's hustle and bustle, it is a perfect vacation spot to hang out. Its a very rejuvinating and peaceful place that will bring your mind at ease. I feel in love with nature after visiting this place. The vibe of Alibag is very cool and relaxing which will remove all your stress.

                                                                  PUNE

Pune is an important city in Maharashtra in terms of culture, heritage , commercial, and education. It is the second largest city in Maharashtra after Mumbai and is regarded as the cultural capital of the state. Called as the 'Queen of Deccan' , it provides an entryway to all the famous hill stations of Maharashtra. It's cultural diversity and historic sculptures is what the city is known for. It has became an important centre of education such as having the National Defense Academy, the Film and Television Institute of India as well as  the Symbiosis Institute. Pune is also among the top most expensive cities in India. It is located atleast 170 kilometers from Mumbai. This city has developed rapidly in a short span of time. Pune has witnessed some important historical events like the Anglo- Maratha war and the Battle of Khadki.  Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was also born and raised up here. It has become an important residential hub and thus, a lot of people are migrating to this city each day.

PLACES TO VISIT:

1) Shivneri fort

2) Sinhagad

3) Parvati hill 

4) Bund garden 

5) National war museum

6) Shaniwar Wada palace

7) National Defense Academy

8) Aga Khan palace

9) Raja Dinkar Kelkar museum

10) Osho International Meditation Ashram

BEST TIME TO VISIT PUNE: The period from August to February is regarded as the best time to visit Pune.

HOW TO REACH:

By road:  A large number of  luxury buses and taxis are available for plying between Mumbai and Pune.

By rail: Express  trains and daily locals are available from Mumbai to Pune which take 3-4  hours to reach. Railways are the most common mode of transport between Mumbai and Pune. Pune is also well connected to all the major cities in India

By air:  Pune is connected to cities such as Mumbai, Bangalore , Delhi , Chennai, Kolkata and many more by air.

ACCOMODATION: Pune has hotels that will suit every budget- from Taj Vivanta and the Hyatt to the mid range Ginger and all the way down to local dormitories.

FOOD: From local Maharashtrian street food like Vada pav, misal pav, bhel, bhajjis to the most sophisticated continental food, Pune has it all.  Mastani , a thick milkshake with dry fruits and Modak are also the city's speciality. Famous eatout places such as McDonalds, pizza hut and Dominos are also available.

SHOPPING: Pune is a great place for shopping.  Local markets are known for saris and jewellery. Fashion street is popular for fashionable accessories. Pune is also famous for chikkis.

Pune is a city that is well developed and famous in all sectors of life. You can meet all your needs , may it be commercial , residential , educational, and tourism in Pune .The hospitality of the people too is impressive and amazing here. It is a right mix of both, a modern as well as a  traditional  city. It has a rich historic background which will always remain alive in the hearts of Punekars. There are so many things one can look forward here. A visit to this city always keeps me happy.

                                                                   AMRITSAR

Amritsar is a famous city in North India and is known for its warm welcome , tasty food and for housing the 'Golden temple'.  It is an important city in the aspect of history , culture and tourism. This beautiful city shares its border with Pakistan and attracts a large number of tourists. Unfortunately Amritsar has witnessed many tragic incidences during British rule.  Still, this city has a very positive vibe and that  is what I love about Amritsar. Visiting this place will give you complete peace and relaxation.

ACCOMODATION: Amritsar has some of the best hotels in the hospitality industry. A visitor here can choose from all kind of accomodation , whether luxury, economy hotel, guest house or even homestays.

BEST TIME TO VISIT: Winters that is between October and March is the best time to visit this colourful city.

HOW TO REACH: 

By air: To reach Amritsar, tourists can take a flight to Sri Guru Ram Das Jee international airport that is served by all major airlines and is at a distance of around 20 minutes drive from the city.

By road:  Regular bus service from Punjab roadways make the journey easy and comfortable. Private cars can also be hired.

By rail: Trains with daily services are easily available from prime states of India  which includes Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Kolkata and Bangalore.

PLACES TO VISIT:

1) Golden temple

2) Jallianwala Baug

3) Wagah border 

4) India gate, Amritsar

5) Durgiana temple

6) Partition museum

7) Mata temple

8) Rambagh gardens

SHOPPING: A wide range of shawls, footwear, carpets and traditional clothing can be found at the colourful bazaars of Amritsar. The best shopping places of Amritsar are Lahori gate market,  Hall bazaar,  Guru bazaar, shastri market, Lawrence road, Kapda bazaar and old city bazaar.

FOOD: Jalebis, mutton chaap, ghee roast chicken, Amritsari fish tikka are the popular delicacies here.

Amritsar has a rich history, culture and tradition. You will get to learn a lot after visiting this place. Filled with ancient monuments, structures and temples, Amritsar is always an interesting place to visit. After visiting this place, my mind was at ease. 

                                                                CHANDIGARH

Chandigarh is India's first well planned city before Navi Mumbai. It is the capital of both, Punjab as well as Haryana state.  It is a perfect combination of a traditional Punjabi city and a modern town.  Filled with greenery on all sides, it has shown to be a perfect example of maintaining a balance between urbanisation and a healthy eco friendly city.  Trees can be seen lined up on both sides of the roads and it is so beautiful that you will feel as though you have entered a tree tunnel.. Chandigarh is also one of the cleanest cities in India along with Surat. It is a pleasure to be in this city . Chandigarh's  food and leisure drives is what the capital is known for. It also acts as an important staging point when one heads to destinations in Himachal Pradesh and Kashmir. 

PLACES TO VISIT:

1) Sukhna lake

2) Rock garden 

3) Rose garden

4)  Thunder zone

5) Pinjore gardens

6) Elante mall

7) Mahendra Chaudhary zoological park

8) Japanese garden

9) Urban Theka

10) Musical garden

11) Leisure valley

12) Sukhna wildlife sanctuary

13) Cosmo park

14) Chandigarh botanical garden and nature park

15) Nepli reserve forest

FOOD: Famous for its butter chicken and dal makhani, there is no shortage of restaurants and cafes in Chandigarh. Paneer is also the most relished item here. Chandigarh serves up everything from continental and North Indian to Rajasthani, Thai , South Indian and Mediterranean.

SHOPPING: All kinds of items are available here to suit your budget and choices.

BEST TIME TO VISIT: The period between mid-August and November is the peak season because the weather is neither too hot nor too cold. Winters are pleasant and occur between November and February.

Chandigarh is a calm and serene city and removes the popular perception that cities are always noisy. It is also known as the 'Garden city" due to the presence of a large number of gardens. Leisure drives would be my favourite  past time if I was in this city. The vibe of this place is very peaceful and will surely make you happy. Chandigarh  feels like home for me. I enjoyed my stay heartedly in Chandigarh.

                                                                        NAINITAL

Uttarakhand is blessed with many beautiful hill stations and one among them is Nainital. Surrounded by snowcapped peaks of the Himalayas and crystal clear blue lakes, Nainital is known as the 'Lake capital of India'. It is an impressive hill station  which attracts plenty of tourists from India as well as abroad. Known for its fresh clean air, the huge mountain ranges and scenic valleys, Nainital should surely be in your 'must visit places' list. It has been well maintained and captures the heart of every tourist. It is one among the best hill stations in India for its pure natural beauty and gorgeous sights.

HOW TO REACH: 

By air:  The Pantnagar airport is the nearest airport to Nainital, which is at a distance of 70 kms  from Nainital. The Pantnagar airport is well connected to all the major cities in India such as Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore and Chandigarh.

By train:  The nearest railway station is the Kathgodam railway station . It is 35 kms from Nainital and is connected to most major cities with trains plying frequently.

By road:  Nainital is well connected to most major cities such as Delhi, Dehradun and Lucknow. There are bus services to  this hill station from most major cities in North India.

BEST TIME TO VISIT: If you love winters , then it is the perfect time to visit Nainital. Nainital is pleasant throughout the year with temperatures going only upto 23 degrees Celsius in summer and 10 degrees Celsius in winter.

THINGS TO DO: 

1) Boating

2) Trekking

3) The Ropeway

4) Explore nature

PLACES TO VISIT:

1) Naini lake

2)Mall road

3) Nainital zoo

4) Eco cave garden 

5)Cheena (Naina) peak

6) Sukha Tal lake

7) Tiffin top

8) Snow view point

9) High Altitude zoo

10) Naina  (China)peak

11) Kainchi dam

12) St John Wilderness church

13) Naina Devi temple

14) Himalayan view point

15) Jim Corbett national park

FOOD: There are a number of different cuisines  such as Thai, Chinese, Italian , Continental and Indian. There are many eating joints lining the mall road along with some fine dining restaurants where food is enjoyed with the marvelous view of the Naini lake.

SHOPPING: There are three major markets in Nainital- the Mall market, the Tibetan market, and the Bara Bazaar, each of them having their own specialities. The mall road has shops that sell everything you can think of , but the wooden handicraft and the colourful candles are popular. For trendy scarves, bags, shawls, mufflers and ethnic clothing, head to the Tibetan market. The Bara bazaar is known for its fresh cherries, apples , mulberries and blueberries. The homemade jams are also very popular among tourists.

 Nainital is a charming hill station. Its lush green hills, snow clad peaks, beautiful weather and the people is what impresses me the most. It is such a wonderful place because of its natural beauty and elegance. It is also known the 'Gem of Uttarakhand'.  Visiting this hill station feels like we are going on a stairway to heaven. Words alone cannot describe the beauty and heritage of this place.  After going to this place, we shall understand the true beauty of life. Nainital shall always on my mind, heart and soul.                                                    

                                                             ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS

Crystal clear skies, pure blue waters, white sands, and the unfolded history is what Andaman and Nicobar islands are made up of. It is one of the most popular beach destinations in India as well as the world.  Tourism in Andaman and Nicobar would be wonderful if you are looking to spend time at the beaches. A trip to this place would guarantee you perfect relaxation and a perfect holiday.

Apart from its beautiful beaches and water sports, Andaman and Nicobar islands have a history of colonial occupation by the Danish, Austrians and the British.  The islands became well known as the most stringent cellular jail during the British Raj.  You can try out a variety of water sports here and the seafood is  amazing. It is an ideal vacation spot to visit with friends or family members. A trip to this place would definately make you happy.

HOW TO REACH: 

By air: Veer Savarkar airport at Port Blair has direct flights to all major metro cities of India. Though it does not have any direct international flights, it can be easily accessed from any of the Indian cities like Mumbai,  Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata , Bengaluru.

By sea:  While a ship from Kolkata would take around 66 hours to reach the islands, ships from Chennai would take about 60 hours while from Vizag, it would take upto 56 hours. The journey would take an ample lot of time but this route is more suited and perfect for  people who love adventures.

BEST TIME TO VISIT: Best time to visit these islands is from January to May. Months of June and July should be avoided due to excessive rains and unfavourable weather conditions.

THINGS TO DO: A visit to the cellular jail and Havelock island is a must. Scuba diving and snorkelling are the most enjoyed water sports here.

PLACES TO VISIT: 

1) Port Blair

2) Havelock island

3)  Jolly Buoy island

4) Baratang island

5) Little Andaman island

6) Neil island

FOOD: Seafood is a speciality of this region as it is situated near the coastline. Try the whole lobster at New Lighthouse restaurant or the seafood platter at Red Snapper. You can also get fresh fried fish from the morning's catch . Many tiny local restaurants serve healthy Indian thalis at reasonable prices. Many local joints also offer Italian, Thai and continental cuisine. When you reach Havelock island do check out the delicious samosas.

ACCOMODATION: Hotels are available in plenty to suit your budget and to give you a comfortable stay.

WHAT TO PACK: 

1) Light cotton clothes for summer and light cardigan for winters. 

2) Lots and lots of sunscreen.

3) Dark sunglasses, umbrella , raincoat and trekking shoes.

SHOPPING: There are plenty of things to shop here like pearls, spices, fishbone articles, timber crafts, shells, jute items , Nicobari mats, hats and cane goods.  The best places to shop are Aberdeen bazaar, Sagarika, Electric plaza, Shell based product markets,  MG road and Queen sea covering craft.

Andaman and Nicobar islands have turned out to be famous for its peaceful atmosphere, glorious beaches and the mind blowing picturesque  landscape views. The beauty of this island shall definately make you fall in love with nature. Once you visit this place , you will have a whole lot of memories to take with you back home. The cool and pleasant vibe of this place shall always freshen my mind.

                                                             DELHI

Delhi is one of the most cultural and modern cities in India.  Delhi city has seen the rise and fall of many empires. One can see different aspects of life here. Being the capital of India, it consists of many temples, shrines , historic monuments, gardens, malls and markets.  It has a world class metro railway system which is also the pride of the city. What I love about Delhi is the cultural diversity of the people here . All major festivals from Holi to Christmas are celebrated here with great pomp and valour.

Delhi combines the traditional and the modern lifestyle in its own unique way.  It is also known as the shopper's paradise. Delhi is well connected to all the major towns and cities in India.

BEST TIME TO VISIT: The best time to visit Delhi is from October to the month of March as the weather is very pleasant and helps tourists to enjoy all sights of the city.

PLACES TO VISIT IN DELHI:

1)India gate

2) Rashtrapati Bhavan

3) Red fort

4) Jama Masjid

5) Jantar Mantar

6) Qutub Minar

7) Lotus temple

8) Humayun's tomb

9) Lodhi garden

10) Akshardham temple 

11)  Connaught place

12)  ISKCON Temple

13) National Science centre.

14) National rail museum

15) The Garden of five senses

HOW TO REACH :

By air:  Delhi is connected to all the major cities in India as well as the world by air.

By rail: The Indian railways with their modern and organised network connect Delhi  to all major and minor destinations in India.  Luxury trains like the Palace on wheels, Fairy Queen and Royal Orient express can be taken from New Delhi Cantonment railway station. Rajdhani express trains connect New Delhi from the state capitals. 

By road: This city is well connected to all the major cities of India by a network of Highways and roads.

 SHOPPING:  Delhi is a shopper's delight and you can find almost anything here, from magnificent  textiles, brassware, woodwork , jewellery, leatherwork to scented oils.  Connaught place, Palika bazaar, Khan market, Hauz Khas village, Dilli Haat and Ansal  plaza are the best places for shopping here.

ACCOMODATION: The hotels in Delhi are suited for all tastes and pockets. Some of the top end hotels in Delhi are , The Leela palace, the Imperial , the Oberoi, Taj Mahal hotel, ITC Maurya , Hilton garden and Le Meridien.

FOOD: Some of the mouth watering dishes available in Delhi are paranthas, Chaat items, butter chicken, Kebabs,  chole bature, biryani, Nihari , Rolls, Momos and deserts. 

 Delhi is an impressive city. The diversity in the food, culture , lifestyle, habits and nature fascinates me a lot. People from all religions and castes live in Delhi. Delhi has proved why it is rightly called as the 'capital 'of the country. Do visit this beautiful city to get mentally refreshed.

                                                                   OOTY

Ooty is a famous and beautiful hill station located in Tamil Nadu in South India.  It is also well known all over India with large number of tourists coming to spend their vacation here.  Comprising green hills,  lush valleys and a  number of beautiful lakes with its scenic beauty, Ooty is also referred to as the 'Queen of hills'. It is an ideal place for spending vacations with family and friends. The amazing climate , the hospitality of the people and the surroundings here will always please you. Let's have a look at some of the places for sightseeing in Ooty:

1) Upper Bhavani lake

2) Nilgiri mountain railways 

3) Emerald lake

4) Avalanche lake

5) Pykara lake

6) Shooting point

7) Botanical gardens

8) Sanctuary Avalanche 

9) Pykara falls

10) Rose garden

11) Thunder world amusement park

12) Toy train ride

13) Doddabetta peak

14) Murugan temple

15) Ooty lake

16) Mudumalai national park

17) Cairn hill

18) Thread garden 

19) Elk hill

20) Ketty valley view

HOW TO GO THERE: 

By air: Daily two flights namely IA-550 and IA-330 from Mumbai to Ooty are available. Ooty is also well connected to other major cities in India.

By road: The State Transport bus services and many other private bus services are available.

By rail: There are many trains available which can take you to Ooty. 

WHERE TO STAY: The Government tourist hotels and other big and small hotels are available to suit everyone's budget.

WHEN TO VISIT: June to October is the best time of the year to visit Ooty.

SHOPPING: Shopping in Ooty is fun. One can buy very traditional as well as modern things from Ooty.  Ooty is very famous for woolen clothes.

FOOD: Ooty is famous  for Black tea, Idli, Vada sambhar, Masala dosa , Idli fry , Prawns fry and Mughal biryani.

 The people here are very culture oriented and highly intelligent. They give more importance to their education. Ooty is blessed with beautiful lakes , rivers , and scenery . It is a calm and peaceful hill station. It is the best for a weekend getaway. A trip to Ooty would always be worth remembering.  Do not forget to add this in your 'must visit places' list.

                                                                MUSSOORIE

Mussoorie is rightly known as the Queen of hills. It's splendid natural beauty leaves everyone in awe. Mussoorie is one of the top hill stations in India, famous for a weekend getaway , honeymoon destination , Himalayan views and Mall road. It is situated in the state of Uttarakhand and is quite close to  Dehradun. It has  always been the favourite tourist destination for many people in India, especially the people of North India. Once you visit this hill station, the fresh views of the mountains, valleys, lakes shall always remain in your mind. Mussoorie also has developed into an important centre of business and education. It is the most popular tourist spot in Uttarakhand for tourists and honeymooners.

WHERE TO STAY: There are a large number of luxury hotels and resorts with excellent facilities . 

ACTIVITIES IN MUSSOORIE:

Shopping: One can find plenty of shops , stores  where one could purchase apparels, artifacts and handicrafts. Mall road in Mussoorie is a well known shopping area visited by many tourists. 

Adventure sports: Day hikes, rock climbing, rappelling, sky walking and caving are some of the sports adventure lovers would love trying.

Nature walk: Mussoorie is enveloped in lush greenery . The road leading towards the Happy valley from Library Head , and from Valley view to Clouds End, and from  Waverly Convent to Company Bagh are some of the most beautiful and picturesque roads in Mussoorie enveloped in the morning mist.

FOOD IN MUSSOORIE: Tourists can relish various international cuisines including Italian, Thai, Continental and Chinese. Travelers can also get the taste of North Indian and South Indian dishes. People love the diversity of food here.

PLACES TO VISIT/ SIGHTSEEING: 

1) The  Mall road

2) Gun hill

3)Camel's back rock 

4) Jharipani falls

5) Lal Tibba 

6) Kempty falls

7) Cloud's end

8) The Company garden

Mussoorie offers spectacular views of the snow ranges to the north-east ,glittering view of the Doon valley and the Shivalik ranges to the south. The lush green hills, and the varied flora and fauna is just a treat to watch . This hill station is very impressive as all the faciltities and aspects needed for a perfect vacation can be achieved here.  The beauty of the lush green hills and the fresh clean air of Mussoorie shall always remain with me forever.

                                                                          KASHMIR

Kashmir is rightly known as the heaven on earth. Also called as 'Paradise on earth" Jammu and Kashmir is one of India's most treasured and favoured  tourist destinations. Blessed and gifted with immense natural beauty of the snow clad peaks, apple orchards, and lush greenery, Kashmir proves as to why it is the most cherished place in India as well as the world. The state is popular for its picturesque beauty, the Pashmina shawls and the crystal clear blue lakes that dot the Himalayan terrain. It is a religious state consisting of people practising Islam , Buddhism and Hinduism. And don't forget the mouth watering Kashmiri cuisine 'Wazwan'.

HOW TO REACH: 

By air: You can fly to Sheikh Ul Alam airport in Srinagar, the Jammu airport in Jammu or the airport in Leh depending on which part of the valley you are headed to. Some of the popular airlines flying to this state are Jet Airways , Air India  and Spice Jet.

By rail:

If you are travelling by train, you need to disembark at Udhampur , Jammu Tawi or Banihal railway station.

By road:

If you are travelling by road , you have to go via National highway 1A as it connects to different cities of Jammu and Kashmir. There are comfortable and cost effective private buses travelling from neighbouring cities like Manali, Shimla , Ludhiana and Delhi.

BEST TIME TO VISIT: The winter months are the best time to visit the Jammu region whereas the summer months from April to October are ideal to visit the Kashmir region. March and April mark the spring season and early summers in the Kashmir valley.- the hills are lush green and flowers blossom all around , making this a beautiful time to visit.

WHAT TO EAT: Rogan josh and Yakhni are the most popular mutton dishes , whereas 'dum olav' can be enjoyed by vegetarians. Don't forget to try the street food served in this state.

SHOPPING: Kashmiri shawls and carpets should be a must in your shopping list especially the 'Pashmina' wool shawls. Dry fruits and handicrafts are also popular shopping items here.

 

PLACES TO VISIT:

1) Srinagar

2) Leh 

3) Ladakh

4) Gulmarg

5) Sonmarg

6) Dal lake

7) Vaishno Devi

8) Jammu

9) Kargil

10) Nubra valley

11)  Udhampur

12) Rajouri

13) Pulwama

14)  Kupwara

15) Amarnath

16) Pahalgam

17) Mughal gardens

18) Kashmir valley

 

THINGS TO DO : Shikara ride, adventure sports , visit Buddhist Monasteries

Kashmir is famous for its scenic beauty, flower gardens, apple farms and more. Its so beautiful that anyone would fall in love with this place. On seeing Kashmir, I felt like  I was the king of the world. It is sad that this place is facing a lot of turmoil due to conflicts between India and Pakistan as to who would conquer this region.  Along with enjoyment , this area has become scary as no one knows what would happen next. Inspite of all odds, the people of Kashmir have risen up positively by  maintaining the beauty of this place and facing whatever comes in their way.  Tourism is the main source of income here.  This place has become a source of inspiration for the entire world by showing that inspite of all ups and downs in life, we can always come up strongly and carry on with our life. The beauty of Kashmir will always remain in my heart and soul.

                                                            DARJEELING

Darjeeling is one among the most organised hill staions in India. It is situated in West Bengal and is quite close to Kolkata city. It is very famous all around the world for its lush green vegetation, serene and scenic beauty. Tourists flock to this place in large numbers to enjoy the splendid beauty of the Himalayas with the slow moving toy train , Hindu temples, flower gardens and zoos.

The scenic beauty of this wonderful hill station brings peace to my mind and soul.  It is much more greener and well kept compared to other hill stations in India.  It is a perfect honeymoon spot. Some of the well known destinations of this place are:

1)  The Darjeeling toy train

2)  Happy Valley tea gardens

3)Victoria falls

4) The Lloyd's Botanical gardens

5) Passenger ropeways

6) Everest Museum

SHOPPING: Tourists can buy beautiful Himalayan artifacts like town-brass statues, religious objects, jewellery , woven fabrics and carpets.

BEST TIME TO VISIT:  Best season to visit Darjeeling is from September to June.

WHERE TO STAY:  There are 5 star and luxury hotels as per your convenience. The hospitality is great. All hotels in Darjeeling ensure an easy access to view the various fascinating points  of the city.

HOW TO REACH: 

By air: The nearest airport in Darjeeling is at Bagdogra. There are regular flights  that connect Bagdogra with Kolkata.

By rail: The nearest railway station is Siliguri.  Catching the toy train from Siliguri is the best way to reach Darjeeling.

By road: Regular bus and private vehicles connect Darjeeling with all the cities in and around Darjeeling.

I fell in love seeing the lush greenery and beautiful valleys of Darjeeling. It was truely a heavenly site. Do visit Darjeeling if you want to soak in nature's beauty and heritage.

                                                         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. 

                                        

                                                                  NEPAL

Nepal is a tiny but an extremely beautiful nation.  Its scenic beauty of the mountains, valleys , temples are a treat to watch. It is mainly situated in the Himalayas and proudly boasts of possessing Mount Everest, the highest mountain range in the  world. 

Nepal is a multi-lingual and multi cultural state , with Nepali as its official language. Kathmandu is the nation's capital and the largest city. Nepal is known to be the birthplace of Buddha. Life is simple here and the people are very friendly and social. It is an amazing place for trekkers, adventure lovers and mountaineers.  It is surrounded by natural beauty all around. A trip to Nepal is also affordable and a nice getaway from the city life . It has become a popular tourist destination .  It is a calm and peaceful country .

Let's have a look at some of the top attractions of Nepal:

1) Boudhanath stupa

2) Pashupatinath temple

3) Mount Everest

4) Golden temple

5) Begnas lake

6)Chandragiri hills

7) Peace temple

8)Langtang national park

9) Sagarmatha national park

10) Bhaktapur

Nepal is known as the ceiling of the world for being home to eight of the ten world's highest mountains including Mount Everest. A trip to Nepal is a must for achieving some  inner peace.

                                                                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.

                                                      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.

                                                                    JAPAN

Japan is truely an incredible nation. Hearing the name of Japan itself gives me goosebumps.The spirit and vibe of the people here cannot be found anywhere in the world. It boasts of having the biggest city in the world, Tokyo.  Japan consists of over 6,000 islands, out of which the main islands are Hokkaido, Honshu , Shikoku and Kyushu. It is one of the most beautiful nations of the world. Mount Fuji and the bullet train are the pride of Japan.

Japan's literacy level is 100 percent and the main language is Japanese. It is one of the safest countries of the world. On hearing the name of Japan, the first thing that comes to my mind is the beautiful cherry blossoms also known as sakura. Another interesting fact about this nation is that it has the highest number of vending machines in the world.  A lot of Japanese schools make their students clean toilets, classrooms and the school area.  A sad fact of Japan is that it witnesses  a lot of earthquakes. But the people have learnt to adapt to it by making earthquake proof buildings and homes through which the damage caused will be less. Another lovely fact that I love  of Japan is that taking a power nap at work gets more and more common here so that the employees get some rest and gather some more energy in the next job.

 Fruits are one of the best gifts in Japan. While greeting someone in India , we would join our hands and say Namaste. In Japan, people greet each other by bowing their heads and saying 'Konnichiwa'. If you go  to a noodle restaurant in Japan, don't be afraid to slurp  up the noodles. On the contrary, this is considered polite. Another feature that I love here is that there are  cafes where you can pay to cuddle. Sushi(fish)  and Ramen noodles are the most popular dishes in Japan. Japanese cuisine consists of lots of rice, fish and vegetables. Shinchan, Doraemon and Ninja Hattori are cartoons which originate from Japan.

Tokyo, Osaka , Yokohama , Hiroshima and Nagasaki are the famous cities here.  Following the bombing on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in the world war in 1945, Japan has vowed to never make nuclear weapons ever again. The Japanese are extremely hardworking people. They have respect for their elders. Today , Japan has the third largest economy in the world. It is also said that Japanese trains are always punctual. Another  cute fact about this nation is that the traditional Christmas Eve meal is KFC. 

With such amazing facts, Japan always will remain closed to my heart. With so much of diversity in culture and daily life, a trip to Japan atleast  once in a lifetime shall always prove to be a boon and a blessing. Japan is nothing but a storehouse of joy and curiosity.