All posts tagged: Travel

Building with attached temple against blue sky and crescent moon

Travel India: Places to Visit in Pune

Pune was always known for its educational institutes and its cultural scene. In the last decade or so, it has also developed as an IT and industrial hub. However, no matter how much it ‘ develops ‘, Pune is still a small town at heart.
This is the land of the proud Marathas, with plenty of monuments to commemorate the legacy within and around the city, where bigger forts welcome trekkers and day-trippers.
Pune is best explored at leisure, in the unhurried way of a true Puneite. So take it easy and plan a maximum of two places a day. Here are just a handful of places to visit.

The Grand Mysore Palace exterior lit up with 97,000 light bulbs at night with a crowd of people in the forefront

Hyderabad to Mysore Road Trip: A Travel Guide

Mysore or Mysuru surprised us in many ways. It is beautiful with wide roads, many parks, lots of greenery, and great places to eat. There are no high rises either, giving you a sense of openness with a clear view of the skies from anywhere in the city. The old world charm still lingers around every corner and hopefully people recognise what an advantage it is and not try to change it in the name of development.
From Mysore Palace to Tipu Sultan’s fort at Srirangapatna, there is culture, history, and lots of food.

2 luxury tents surrounded by trees with a lawn in the front where a child in shorts is playing with his archery set and the target board is in the front

Weekend Stay in Hyderabad: Angirasa—Luxury Camping

There’s been a rise in smaller farm stays and homestays in and around Hyderabad with many options for a great staycation weekend trip.
Having tried a few of the usual farm stays, we wanted to try out something different. Have you heard of the term glamping? Glamour camping, or glamping, is the perfect solution for those who want all the creature comforts while out in the middle of nature.
We stayed at Angirasa Luxury Camping tents just on the outskirts of Hyderabad city limits. Large luxury tents nestled amidst mango trees offer a serene weekend stay where all you hear are the chirping of birds and crickets.

Narrow Jetty jutting out to the clear blue sea with a lighthouse at the end of it, and a palm tree towering in the foreground

An Exotic Island Getaway to the Andaman Islands: A Perfect Beach Vacay

If you’re seeking the idyllic beach vacation, then head to the Andaman Islands. The beaches of Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep) are unlike any other I’ve been to. The clear blue waters offer a gradient of almost every shade of blue. The soft white sandy beaches are clean and a pleasure to walk on, especially in the evenings.
Everywhere you turn, you see a shade of either blue or green.
Even if you don’t enter the waters, like me, you will still find this location to be a relaxing and calming holiday away from the chaos of daily routine.

The 216 ft golden statue of Ramanujacharya against a light blue sky: the statue of equality in Hyderabad, India

Things to do in Hyderabad—Statue of Equality

Statue of Equality in Hyderabad is an impressive 216 feet statue is of Shri Ramanujacharya who was a 10th Century Hindu philosopher and social reformer. It is the second tallest sitting statue in the world.
The Statue of Equality complex from the outside looks radiant in the daylight. The golden statue towering above all else is awe-inspiring. The place resonates with positive vibrations with the chantings.
Find out more about things to do in Hyderabad this weekend.

A Summer Sojourn in the Hills of North India 

Summers in most Indian cities are scorching hot. We all wish we could escape to the colder climes of the hills, with beautiful views of snow-clad mountains to cool our souls. My parents decided to do just that this past summer. The advantage of being retired with no one to look after is that you can pack up and leave for a full month, and send enticing pictures to the rest of us sweating it out in the plains.
Instead of staying in one place for the whole time, they planned out a circuit of four towns to visit. They stayed for 10 days in each place starting in mid-May and returning home mid-June. They started with the highest point, which was Pangot, and moved down in altitude to Kasar Devi, Someshwar, and finally Corbett.
It was a good trip and many might want to replicate their experience. You could add or reduce the number of places and activities per your choice. Here’s an overview of their trip.

Hampi stone chariot depicted in the indian currency notes

Hyderabad to Hampi Road Trip: A Travel Guide

If you’re looking to travel in India, Hampi should definitely be on your travel list. Hampi is a World UNESCO Site and the entire town is filled with historical relics.
We drove to Hampi from Hyderabad. You can also travel by train, which has a more scenic view and is a more relaxing journey.
Everywhere you look, you’ll find some monument worth exploring.
The ruins take you back to a vibrant temple city rich in history and it provides the perfect backdrop for stunning photographs.

View of the Bidar fort and it's moat

Day Trips From Hyderabad: Bidar

Bidar is a Day Trip From Hyderabad.
We didn’t want to pile too many things on our plate as we wanted to return home before sunset, so we kept our sights on just the top three things to see in Bidar.
Our main attraction was the Bidar Fort and the Baradari tombs. There are some 30 tombs in and around Bidar, which is why it is also called the City of Whispering Monuments. The city is home to the country’s second-largest Indian Air Force training centre. It is also known for its Bidri handicraft products and is considered one of the holiest places for Sikh pilgrimage. So much to see…so little time!

Hyderabad's Golconda Fort view

Things to do in Hyderabad: Golconda Fort & Taramati Baradari

If you are visiting Hyderabad anytime soon, the Golconda Fort is one landmark you need to add to your itinerary. Golconda Fort is a vast fortified complex with an interesting history. This historical monument often gets overshadowed by the city’s more famous tourist attraction, Charminar. However, a trip here is surely worth your while.
Don’t forget to visit the nearby Qutb Shahi Tombs and Taramati Baradari which are also linked to the fort’s history.

hawa mahal Jaipur facade

Colourful Jaipur in 2 Days: Best spots for photo ops

Jaipur is one of the favourite cities in India for destination weddings. No wonder—with all its palaces and lavish hospitality, you’re made to feel like royalty. Even the locals cannot resist all the photo ops the city offers. Every landmark, even the streets in Jaipur, were filled with people and couples with a camera crew trying to get a shot to last a lifetime!
Check out this itinerary for Jaipur in 2 days