Buvachi Misal is one of the most famous Misal places in Maharashtra.
Whether one is travelling to Lonavala by train or road, Buvachi Misal has been an essential stop for every traveler since the last 35 years. Not just tourists, but you will see many celebrities frequently visit this restaurant just for a taste of their Misal.
Background
It is a family-owned restaurant and right now, their third generation is handling the management of the restaurant. I think this gives a very homey feeling to this place.
Ambience
There is a self-service counter and outdoor seating. The area around the restaurant is actually very quiet and pretty. Hot and spicy misal in the lovely Lonavala weather is just incredible.
Misal
Misal starts from Rs. 70 and you can choose from a variety of options like cheese or paneer misal.
You can also decide the spice level of your misal. Misal has a red masala tempering over the curry, the red tempering is the spiciest. If you mix it a little, it becomes medium spicy and if you mix it completely with the curry, you have got the least spicy version.
Other than that it has sprouts and mashed potatoes in it and a lot of Sev. It is served with Pav.
Click here for a sneak peek inside the Kitchen of Buvachi Misal.
By road- Just 500m from Old Mumbai Pune Highway or NH48
2 hour drive from Pune
2 to 3 hour drive from Mumbai
By train- Get down at Lonavala station and take a rickshaw from there. Takes about 10 to 15 minutes and would cost you between Rs.100-200.
It might get tough to get a rickshaw right outside Buvachi Misal on your return journey, but you can just walk up to the highway in 5 minutes and get one there.
Must try here
I would absolutely recommend their simple misal which has been an iconic taste since the last 35 years, and kanda bhaji which is always fresh and burning hot!
This place is packed on weekends so you might need to wait for your turn.
If you ever visit Lonavala, this would be an amazing way to start your trip.
Click here to check out a one day return journey to Lonavala after a lovely breakfast at Buvachi Misal
Want to know about a unique train journey to Lonavala? Read here!
Vistadome experience has been on my list of to do’s for a while. So when I realised that this is something that can happen on a trip to Lonavala, from Mumbai I was super excited!
Indian Railways have Vistadome coaches on a few trains between Mumbai and Pune and the good part is that they stop in Lonavala! If you want to see the complete Mumbai to Lonavala Vistadome experience then watch the video below!
A Vistadome coach feels like one of those Euro rail experiences – the way the train is designed is on the same lines and hence they run on all scenic routes.
Vistadome Coachfrom Mumbai to Lonavala
The Vistadome coach is attached to Deccan Express 11007 and departs from Mumbai CSMT station at 7 am and reaches Lonavala by 9:30 am
*this train goes all the way till Pune
How to Book
Login to IRCTC app or website and enter your journey details, to book the Vistadome coach, select the EC or Executive Chair Car option.
Cost
760 for a one way journey (Mumbai to Lonavala)
Vistadome Coachfrom Lonavala to Mumbai
Choose Deccan Express 11008, departs from Lonavala station at 16:30 hours and reached Mumbai by 19:00 hours.
*train starts from Pune
Photo tips
The coach is usually at the end of the train and has a viewing deck. So if you are a photo enthusiast, you might hang out there a lot! The interiors, seats with large windows too make for great pictures, especially when theres a beautiful sight outside.
Features
Separate Luggage compartment
Recliner seats
Hidden side table
2 washrooms
Mirrors with lights
Food
Vistadome
The food in this is not complimentary and obtained on a chargeable basis. Bread – cutlet, Omelette, tea, coffee, Poha, Upma are available as per normal train journeys. Don’t miss Vada Pav which is available at Karjat station.
Buvachi Misal, one of the most famous Misal Pav places in Maharashtra.
Plain Misal costs Rs. 70 and you can choose from a variety of options like cheese or paneer misal. You can also decide the spice level of your misal.
Click here for a sneak peek inside the Kitchen of Buvachi Misal where the magic happens.
How to get there
Let Google Maps guide you! If you are going by train then after getting down at Lonavala station, take a rickshaw . Takes about 10 to 15 minutes and would cost you between Rs.100-200.
Lonavala Lake View point
This is one of the best places to visit in Lonavala during monsoon. It is very accessible by road and has a stunning view in every direction. One side has the huge green mountains and the other side has the calm and serene Lonavala lake. If you go here when it’s raining, you are very likely to see many waterfalls on the Mountains.
How to get there
12-15 minutes by rickshaw from Buvachi Misal costs around Rs.200
5 minutes by rickshaw from Lonavala station.
Must try here
There are tiny food stalls selling Bhutta, kanda bhaji , Aloo Bhajji, Maggi which are like standard Lonavala snacks. But I’d suggest you try the corn Bhajji, something different but so tasty…
Costs around Rs.80/- per plate
This place is quite close to the station but less crowded and you might go past it while traveling to the other points. I’d highly recommend stopping here and getting some absolutely Instagrammable clicks!
Mapro Gardens, Old Mumbai Pune Highway
Vistadome
This is a huge store where you can buy all mapro goodies. Behind it is a lovely waterfall and a pond with lotuses, this sight will take you straight to Mahabaleshwar. There are sampling counters in the store, you can buy syrups, squashes, jellies, jams and different types of cookies.
Must try here
Strawberries and Cream
Mangoes and Cream
Grilled Sandwich
Pizza
If you have a sweet tooth, this place is made just for you!
Check out this mapro store in my video and make sure you go there next time you are in Lonavala.
Cooper’s Fudge, near Laal taki Ryewoods
This is one of the oldest fudge shops in Lonavala, and they just opened a new branch. They have mango fudge, strawberry fudge, and different chikkis.
How to get here
11 minutes from Mapro gardens by rickshaw
5 minutes from Lonavala station by rickshaw
Must try here
Chocolate walnut fudge Rs.1600/- per kg
There’s a cafe opening upstairs and the location is so beautiful, it’s a must-visit!
Rupam chikki, Next to Lonavala Station
Lonavala and chikki are two inseparable words. Rupam chikki has been selling the best chikki since 1975. From crunchy to melt-in-the-mouth, they have got all kinds of chikkis.
How to get here
5 minutes rickshaw ride from Cooper’s Branch 2
2 minute walk from Lonavala Station
Must try here
Malai crush Peanut chikki
Kaju crush Peanut chikki
Potato wafers
There are many chikki shops in Lonavala, but the chikki here is worth a try!
Lonavala has some of the prettiest points so close from the station and very accessible by road. If you ever want a break from your schedule or you are planning a one day weekend trip, this is your itinerary. Share this link with your friends and family and watch more on the link below
A Ranthambore Tiger Safari with a first timers luck! I spotted a tigress right at the gate of Ranthambore National Park and it just walked by my jeep.
I had a wonderful time here in Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan in the Ranthambore National Park and Kipling lodge. This trip was just spectacular because I had many new experiences; I stayed in a lodge for the first time, tried my hands at clay pot making, saw a Tiger for the first time and a lot more. Let me show you everything you need to know to visit Ranthambore national park and Kipling lodge.
Watch my entire Ranthambore journey below!
Ranthambore National Park, Sawai Madhopur
Ranthambore National Park counts the most tiger sightings because it is home to about 80 tigers. It covers a vast area of 282 km and is habitat to many wild animals.
How to get there
By air – The closest airport to the park is Jaipur International Airport at a distance of 160 km. You can travel by train or road from the Airport to the park.
By Train – Sawai Madhopur Railway station is just 11 km away from the park, and most of the trains from major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Jaipur, Agra halt here. Cab and a local bus will get you to the park.
By Road – Ranthambore National park is connected by road to all major cities.
Jaipur City to Ranthambore via NH23 170 km 3 to 4 hours depending of traffic
Delhi City to Ranthambore via NH48 351 km 6 to 7 hours
Mumbai City to Ranthambore via NH52 1088 km more than 21 hours
Tiger Safari
The best way to book your safari is through your hotel. The entire park is divided into ten zones and each zone has a varied range of wildlife sightings.
You can either select Zones 1 to 7 or Zones 8 to 10. Although tigers are spread throughout the park, you are likely to spot more in zones 1 to 6 which have the most number of water holes. But I spotted one right at the gate as we entered, so it might depend a little bit on your luck and timing!
Safari timing
Morning safari 06.30 am – 10.00 am
evening safari 02.30 pm – 06.00 pm
Stay updated with their website about any changes in the time or schedule.
Private Vehicles are only allowed upto the Ganesh Temple and Ranthambore Fort. So you have to book a jeep or a Canter in order to move further and have the complete experience of a jungle safari.
Safari Vehicles
Shared Canter Safari
This is a 15-20 seater open roof bus
Rs.1500-1800 per person
Shared Jeep Safari
This is a open roof Gypsy which carries 6 people, plus 2 (Guide and driver)
Rs. 2300-2500 per person
Private jeep Safari
Your own private jeep which would be just you (and your people) and the guide and driver.
Rs.15000 or more
The best season to visit is from October to June. The park stays open all around the year, although in monsoon some zones are closed and the time for entry and exit might also change. You can also opt for a full day Safari as well, which would last about 12 hours and cost a lot more.
After you spot a tiger, you can’t just relax because there is still so much you have to explore..
So stay sharp and Don’t miss this in Ranthambore National Park!
Ranthambore Fort- A majestic fort since 994 AD which witnessed so many battles.
Birdwatching- Peacocks and Parakeets, Kingfisher, Bulbuls and just so many of them.
Other wildlife- You might also spot leopards, Sambhar, Chinkara, Indian Wild Boar.
Raj Bagh ruins- Another historic structure which you can see during the Safari.
Padam Talao- A large water body where you can stop for a few minutes and spot many wild animals.
I spotted a peacock, Sambhar and Spotted deer, and even saw some shedded antlers. Click on this link to catch a glimpse of this amazing safari.
If you are a nature enthusiast, love bird watching and of course wish to see a tiger up close, book your Safari now!
The Kipling Lodge, Charoda Rd, Sawai Madhopur
The Kipling Lodge is a serene property nestled close to the Ranthambore National Park. The entire property is surrounded by lush greenery, vibrant flowers and purple lotuses blooming in tiny ponds. Named after Rudyard Kipling, an enigmatic writer who holds a special place in all our hearts, this place succeeds to do the same.
Rooms in The Kipling Lodge
Superior Garden Rooms
Accommodate upto 3 people and have a Garden view
Rs.15,000/- per night all meals included
Majestic Suites
A suite with enough space for about 3 people and a Garden view
Rs.24,000/- per night all meals included
Junior Terrace Suites
These have a terrace attached to them, and are smaller than the majestic suite. Perfect for 3 people.
Rs.20,000/- per night all meals included
Check-in time 2.00 pm
Check-out time 12.00 pm
What’s the food like?
I tried a bunch of different cuisines here and I have to say I loved Chinese food the most. I also enjoyed their breakfast which had so many options and the irresistible chocolate brownie with ice cream.
Amenities
Free Wifi
Parking
Library
Room Service
Activities
Swimming Pool
Wellness and Spa
Clay pot making
Souvenir Shop
I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of this trip. I am still obsessed over watching a tigress from such a short distance. The soothing climate at Kipling Lodge and their lovely staff and management made this experience spectacular.
Rambagh Palace is one of the most luxurious hotels in India. It was acquired by the Taj group a few years ago, and they retained the beauty and luxury of this heritage hotel, and manage it till date. Suites ranging upto 10 lakhs a night make it one of the most expensive hotels in India. But the hand-carved infrastructure, refreshing gardens, royal bedrooms and their flawless service make a stay here indeed memorable for life.
Manicured gardens and intricate architecture spread across the wide area of Rambagh Palace. Previously this was the residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur and now hosts guests from all over the world.
The grand entrance, Mughal style gardens, water fountains, lavish rooms and every aspect of the architecture carries forward the historic magnificence of this palace. Spending your vacation here is literally – living like royalty.
The exquisite experience begins as you enter Rambagh palace and you are showered with rose petals as a welcome. Next thing you can do is simply try to grasp the palatial beauty in front of you. The Palace decor is a beautiful composition of vintage and antique style. From the palace you can view the magnificent gardens and peacocks dancing everywhere in all their grace.
Take a look at the luxurious Palace Room of the Rambagh Palace. For a video tour watch this!
Every aspect of the room is distinct and majestic, but these tiny things set it apart from everything else!
Mirror work design
Ac vents
Utility Ropes
Dining at Rambagh Palace
Rambagh Palace has plenty of dining options and each of them feature unique ambience and dishes.
Suvarna Mahal
Suvarna mahal is just the place to dine like royalty. True to its name, Suvarna or ‘gold’ mahal has an extravagant decor of gold. Your food arrives on a large golden plate. You can choose from varieties of Thalis in Vegetarian or Non-Vegetarian or you can order à-la-carte.
Steam Restaurant adds a very unique touch to your experience here. The restaurant is inside a resotred steam engine and also has a Victorian style station waiting area. One can enjoy comfort food like wood fired pizzas, soups and much more.
Polo Bar
The best place to relax and chit-chat while you enjoy the signature cocktails and rare whiskies.
The Oriental
The Oriental brings all the flavours of Asia to Rambagh Palace. Currently it is a place to host private parties in the palace.
Rajput room
A lively all day dining area. They usually have a breakfast buffet here and one feels like they are dining with royalty.
Night time
As the sun sets in, Rambaug palace illuminates in the brightness of the lights. This view quickly brings a sense of calmness to you. At night you can enjoy the dance shows and music out in the courtyard.
Activities in Rambagh Palace
Buggy rides
A horse buggy ride across the magnificent property of Rambagh Palace is included in the 35k stay package. It takes you through the wide paths surrounded by the greenery of the Mughal Gardens. The entire ride you will spot peacocks everywhere, dancing and roaming gracefully.
Indoor pool
Rambagh palace has a huge Indoor pool where you can drop by for a swim or just lounge by the pool.
If you want to experience history, traditional architecture and of course royalty, then Rambagh Palace is the place to visit when in Jaipur.
Exploring Kanyakumari in a day – this was my day trip from Kerala to Kanyakumari. I went by road and the first stop was Padmanabhapuram Palace. In this palace, videography is not allowed. And a camera is chargeable.
Then I visited Swami Vivekananda Rock Memorial – which is one of the most revered places for Hindu Pilgrimage and also to visit in Kanyakumari. This is frequented by tourists from Indian and abroad. The place is filled with positive vibrations which can definitely be felt by anyone who visits. Also the views of the ocean are unparalleled.
After that I visited the Thiruvalluvar statue and this entire journey was by ferry. This statue belongs to the famous poet and saint Thiruvalluvar and is part of the trip to the Vivekananda Rock Memorial.
Then I visited Bhagavathy Amman Temple or the Kanyakumari temple. Beware of the people sitting outside the temple. They are there just to get money from innocent visitors.
I also stopped for lunch at hotel Saravana in Kanyakumari. I wanted to explore local food of Kanyakumari or good Tamil cuisine but couldn’t really find it.
Hope this video is helpful for anyone looking for a Kanyakumari travel guide. I definitely recommend spending more than a day here as the place is beautiful and offers a lot to experience.
Pattaya Vegetarian Food, especially Indian food is available at so many restaurants.
In this video I’m sharing Pattaya vegetarian food places. A lot of these places serve Indian Food which is perfect if you are looking for vegetarian food here.
In this video I’ve shared two places for Indian food in Pattaya:
Govindam Restaurant – here I tried a thali, an Indian thali meal with dal, rice, vegetables including Paneer and Aloo, rotis with ghee. This was delicious!
I also tried a famous Mumbai street food dish called Vada Pav in Gokul Chai Nashta. The good thing about Gokul was that you could find a variety of Indian street food items like Samosa, Chhole Bhature and of course Masala Chai!
If you are vegetarian, then Indian food is one of the best options for eating a meal. Do try out both these restaurants. they serve 100% pure vegetarian food in Pattaya.
Pattaya is a lovely place for a chilled out vacation. You can check out this link for some interesting Things to do in Pattaya.
Looking for hotels to stay in Pattaya? Check this!
To get to Pattaya, you will definitely get to Bangkok. And Bangkok is easily one of the most fun cities in the world. You can check out these videos for fun activities, food and shopping related information in Bangkok.
Kumarakom is one of the most scenic places in Kerala. It is a village, situated on Vembanad lake and is a gorgeous holiday destination. In fact, it is the ultimate place to relax and chill.
The bird sanctuary in Kumarakom is one of the must visit spots here. A lot of Himalayan and Siberian migratory birds from are seen in the months of June and August.
Very close to the Birth Sanctuary is the Taj Kumarakom Resort & Spa. This is actually a family residence converted into a hotel property, inclusive of rooms, cottages and executive villas. It is situated so close to the Vembanad Lake that you could board a sunset boat cruise right from the hotel itself! A gorgeous property with delicious food. You can check out my Kerala style meal experience here in this video.
A trip to Kumarakom is incomplete without experiencing the backwaters here. You could enjoy a day cruise here or just a boat ride during sunset, but its something that you absolutely must experience.
Kerala has a lot to offer in terms of responsible tourism. Kumarakom is in fact one of the first few places in India that began promoting responsible eco-tourism. Apart from Kumarakom, I have explored various other destinations in Kerala. You can watch them below!
Munnar
Thekkady
Alleppey Houseboat
Kochi
Poovar
Kerala Ayurveda Experience
Alleppey to Cochin Houseboat experience
Subscribe to my Youtube channel here and stay tuned for more videos.
Want to know more about my stay in Kerala? Read this!
You can also follow me on my social media. Links below.
One of the most scenic beaches, Pattaya beach is a must visit. It’s a gorgeous coastline with blue waters. beach beds, water sport activities and lots of coconut water to sip on while you chill here. Also, try to pick a hotel along the beach so you can come here as often as you like. I stayed at the AOne Royal Cruise hotel which was right across the beach. Read about it here.
A trip to Koh Larn or Coral Island
A fun way to spend a day on an island alongside pristine blue waters is what you can expect here. Take the public ferry to get to Koh Larn and enjoy the beautiful blue waters along the way. This island is pretty commercial – people selling all kinds of things to you right from water rides to dives to bikes to food. Wait until about 3:30 pm here – the crowds starts to move back to Pattaya and you do get a few minutes of peace and quiet in this gorgeous place.
Walking Street
The most popular landmark in Pattaya – Walking Street. The buzz around this street will definitely invite you in to at least walk through it once. Gogo bars, loud music, flashing lights – this street has it all. It is the one of the most popular party districts in Thailand.
Shopping
Any place in Thailand does promise shopping and Pattaya is no different. The Pattaya Night Bazaar is quite fun to stroll across. But if you want to do some serious shopping head to the malls – Terminal 21 and Central Festival are great when it comes to shopping and overall buzz.
Food
Enjoy lots of local street food when in Pattaya. It’s a delight for sea food and meat lovers.
Spa
Anywhere in Thailand, one must enjoy a foot spa or a Thai massage. In Pattaya they start at 200/250 Baht per hour.
Want to plan a trip to Bangkok? Watch this!
Want to know about Indian food in Pattaya? Watch this!
Subscribe to my Youtube channel here and stay tuned for more videos.
You can also follow me on my social media. Links below.
AOne Royal Cruise Hotel was my home for 2 nights in Pattaya
When I heard about the name AOne Royal Cruise, I thought that they wouldn’t take the cruise part of it very seriously. But boy, they did!
The AOne Royal Cruise Hotel is designed to give you a lavish cruise experience. The exterior and the interior of the hotel have been beautifully done to give that feeling of being on a fancy cruise ship, albeit without the waves. A mini observation deck area, a massive piano by a cafe and a wide staircase – the hotel lobby has it all. And once you take the lift to go on the higher floors you can actually see the Pattaya beach coastline, which is stunning in itself.
At the hotel I stayed in their mini Sea View suite and let me tell you that the suite was anything but mini! A large bedroom, combined with a seating area and a wardrobe area, mini bar and tea counter and a lavish bathroom – the suite had it all. It also had a a balcony with a seating area and the ocean, which although far off, made for a great view.
The AOne Royal Cruise Pattaya also has a restaurant called the Boat restaurant and that is where they serve all their meals in buffet form. For anyone who loves sea food, this spread is massive! And being a vegetarian I did find a lot of dishes, including a few Indian dishes in every meal. Their fruits, vegetables, desserts – everything is fresh and delicious.
In my Pattaya vlog series, I have given a whole tour of the hotel and also shared their buffet. Do watch it below!
If you want to find out more about AOne Royal Cruise Pattaya then do check out their website.
Want to know about Indian food in Pattaya? Watch this!
Subscribe to my Youtube channel here and stay tuned for more videos.
Want to know about all the things that you need to do in Bangkok? Then read this!
You can also follow me on my social media. Links below.
Sukhumvit area is your best bet. Stay close to Asok or Nana BTS and you absolutely won’t regret it. This area is buzzing with street eateries, restaurant, clubs, shopping and lots of hotels. I recommend the Mercure Bangkok Sukhumvit 11 for a luxurious yet budget stay experience. Read about it here.
How to travel within the city?
BTS – Use this transport system to get everywhere. BTS is the Bangkok train system and the city is beautifully connected by this mode of transport. Either get a day pass if you have to get to many places or a single journey ticket and be on your way!
Street Food
Bangkok is famous for its street food culture. Places to enjoy Thai cuisine are Yaowarat or Chinatown, Sukhumvit Soi 38 and food courts of malls, especially Terminal 21 and MBK. If you eat seafood and meat then you will thoroughly enjoy street food here. If you are looking for Vegetarian food in Bangkok, especially Indian food then watch this!
Enjoy night life
In Bangkok you have to enjoy their ever buzzing night life. Night markets, street food lanes, lit up party districts – the city has it all. For delicious street food head to Khaosan road at night. Visit the infamous Patpong and Soi Cowboy for a glimpse of partying or just chill over a rooftop bar and enjoy the view.
Get a massage
When in Bangkok, you have to get a Thai foot massage. This is extremely relaxing and after a long day of walking around, this is all you need. Foot massage start at 250-300 Baht for an hour and are amongst the most inexpensive massages across the world. You can even try a Thai body massage, which starts at 350Baht and feels like a good session of stretching and guided Yoga.
Shop till you drop!
A complete shopping guide to Bangkok is here. Watch the video below!
Visit Bangkok temples
These are an absolute must visit in my opinion. The video below is a guide on how to use public transport and plan your Bangkok temple tour.
So those were all things to do in Bangkok. Hope this guide helps you make the most of your Bangkok trip.
Subscribe to my Youtube channel here and stay tuned for more videos.
You can also follow me on my social media. Links below.
