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.