Destinations Archives - Page 2 of 2

Chandigarh food, shopping and tourist places

Destinations Indian Food North Indian Travel

November 2, 2019

Exploring Chandigarh food, shopping places and a lot of other things to do in this post.

I tried a few famous Chandigarh food dhabas, shopped at local markets and basically spent a day around city beautiful! Watch everything in my video from Chandigarh.

Subscribe to my Youtube channel here

Here are all the places I visited on my first day in Chandigarh.

Sindhi Sweets

Located in the sector 17 market, this place is famous for chaat and its delicious sabzis. I recommend trying the Dahi Golgappa and their special Meal – a set thali. Sindhi Sweets is a place popular among locals, so it is a little busy. But definitely come here and try out their food. You can even try out their sweet dish items which is what you’ll see as soon as you enter their store.

Sector 17 Market

Love cheap shopping? Then sector 17 market should be fun! It’s honestly not all cheap shopping – there are shops selling the prettiest phulkari dupattas, but you do need to bargain well for them. And so many street side vendors selling jewellery, bags, shoes, tshirts and so much more. You can even just grab a softy and chill here – the vibe in the evening is pretty cool.

Indian Coffee House

This is one of the oldest cafe chains in India. You’ll find an Indian Coffee House in so many Indian cities. No nonsense place serving coffee and snacks. Definitely try their cold coffee on a hot afternoon.

Zakir Hussain Rose Garden

Such an instagrammable spot! Just about 10 minutes by rickshaw from Sector 17 is the Zakir Hussain Rose Garden, in sector 16. Come here for the pretty roses, in different colors and also for all the greenery.

Pal Dhaba

A must visit when in Chandigarh! Pal Dhaba is a place famous for its non-veg food – butter chicken, mutton and more but you do get a good Paneer Butter Masala here. Definitely try if you are vegetarian. And their dal makhani is awesome!

Heading to Shimla from Chandigarh? Read this!

Want to explore more of Chandigarh? Watch this video!

Watch my food vlog from Amritsar.

Watch my latest video.

Subscribe to my Youtube channel here and stay tuned for more videos.

You can also follow me on my social media. Links below.

Instagram
Twitter
Facebook

Shimla – Lakkar Bazar, Mall Road, The Ridge, Viceregal Lodge

Destinations Travel

October 17, 2019

Shimla – very rightly called the queen of hill stations.

Winter or summer, Shimla has an unparalleled charm. Watch this vlog from my visit to Shimla in summer.

Subscribe to my Youtube channel here

In Shimla, you’ll find everyone heading to Mall Road. While there are lots of things to do at mall road, I do recommend going shopping in another market – Lakkar Bazar.

Lakkar Bazar, a market stretch aimed at tourists does not disappoint. One can find all kinds of wooden articles here – from show pieces to cutlery, from toys to storage boxes – there’s something for everyone in Lakkar Bazar. I recommend checking out small souvenirs, their wooden trays and even the artsy wooden boxes here. But do remember to bargain. And if you want more tips on shopping in Shimla then check this video.

The Ridge in Shimla is probably the most famous hangout. Day or night, this places is crowded always. It’s like a wide open street and surrounded by mountains on one side and British architecture on the other. Don’t miss the small joys here – eating a softy, popcorn and enjoying the view.

Christ Church, another popular landmark in Shimla. This is right at the beginning of The Ridge and you’ve probably seen this structure in so many Bollywood movies. This is the oldest church in North India and is a symbol of faith and humanity.

Shimla also has a lot of cute cafes and one of them is Cafe Sol. The place is beautiful and in fact one of the few places in Shimla that doesn’t have a mega dining view, but yet a great ambience.

Another place to visit to appreciate the gorgeous architecture in Shimla is the Viceregal Lodge. This place is not just about the Victorian feel, but also about the the greenery and not to mention the gorgeous view. You can also avail a guided tour here and know more about its importance during the freedom movement.

Shimla is one of my most favorite hill stations in India and a place that I recommend you to visit. If you want more information on the epic Shimla toy train journey then click here.

Watch more videos from Shimla

Subscribe to my Youtube channel here and stay tuned for more videos.

You can also follow me on my social media. Links below.

Instagram
Twitter
Facebook

Shimla Mall Road Food, Things to do & more

Destinations Travel

October 3, 2019

Shimla Mall Road – the feel of this place is just something else!

Here’s a video from my visit to Shimla Mall Road. I covered food, a lot of cute Shimla cafes and also touristy things to do. Watch it here.

Subscribe to my Youtube channel here

Here are all the places that you must visit when in Shimla. A lot of exploring of Shimla Mall road and nearby attractions:

Wake & Bake

This is a cutesy cafe right in Mall road. It has a view of Mall road and also a section for outdoor seating where one can enjoy the beautiful Shimla mountains. I recommend visiting this place for breakfast – do try their egg varieties. I ordered an Israeli breakfast platte consisting of Hummus, Lafa Bread & Shakshouka.

Baljees

The best Gulab Jamun ever! You have to visit Baljees which is right below Wake & Bake in Mall Road, Shimla. The Gulab Jamuns here are perfection.

Local Leather Stores

On Mall Road, you will come across a lot of local leather stores promoting Make in India. A lot of these have Chinese owners but have been residing in Shimla for many years.

Kali Bari Temple

Straight ahead from Mall Road is the Kali Bari temple in Shimla. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Kali and is a must visit when in Shimla. Goddess Kala also known as Shyamala Devi is where Shimla derives its name from. Be very careful while going up this temple, because of all the monkeys that surround it.

Lower Bazaar

A popular shopping area, even for locals. This bazaar is where you head if you want to stock up on some fruits, groceries etc. There are also quite a few popular food shops in Lower Bazaar. Don’t miss Nathuram Lachmandas for their Doodh Jalebi and Mehrus for their chaat. Also, if you want buy the famous Shimla shawls then buy them from Lower Bazaar. You will definitely find a better price here than the touristy Shimla Mall Road.

Tibetan Market

Most hill stations in the north have a Tibetan Market. You can expect clothes imported from China – basically fast fashion. But do remember to bargain whenever you are shopping here.

Himachali Rasoi

Keen to try out a Himachali thali? Head to Himachali Rasoi in Lower Bazaar. You get a thali with authentic Himachali cuisine and is definitely worth a try here.

Jakhu Temple

One of the most famous attractions here in Shimla is the Jakhu temple. You can either hike to get to the temple or take the cable car on Shimla ropeway. The cable car ride is expensive – Rs.250+Tax per person, one way, but the view is absolutely worth it. The Hanuman idol here is 108ft. high and I definitely feel you must visit here. But do be careful of the monkeys!

The Ridge

The Ridge on Mall Road is one of the most famous hangouts in Shimla. In the evening this place is buzzing. You have to visit to feel the vibe of this place. There are a lot of eateries around, but mostly it is just about sitting and enjoying the view.

Indian Coffee House

Indian Coffee house is a popular chain across a lot of places in India. They serve affordable food ranging from South Indian to even a few local specialities of the area they are located in. Definitely visit of you feel like chilling over some coffee.

So these are all the things that you can do on Shimla Mall Road and around. Hope this post is helpful. Want to know all about the Shimla toy train experience? Read here.

More videos from Shimla

Watch my latest videos:

Subscribe to my Youtube channel here and stay tuned for more videos.

You can also follow me on my social media. Links below.

Instagram
Twitter
Facebook

Shimla Train Journey | Toy Train, Mall Road & more

Destinations Travel

September 9, 2019

The Shimla Train Journey is one of my best parts of my Shimla trip!

Here’s a video capturing my entire Shimla train experience. Watch here.

Subscribe to my Youtube channel here

The Shimla train route is one of the most picturesque ones in India. This is the old route that was established during the British era, when they regarded Shimla as the summer capital of India. The Shimla train route is absolutely scenic – overlooking mountains, amidst the lush greenery (if you are going in the proper season). Set in the foothills of the Himalayas, Shimla gets its name from Goddess Shyamala Devi. The town is beautiful and definitely not overrated. And Shimla has so much to offer in terms of sight-seeing, things to do and even food.

I travelled from Mumbai to Chandigarh and stayed over in Chandigarh for 2 nights and then head on to Kalka to enjoy my Shimla train ride.

Want to know what I did in Chandigarh? Watch these videos:

I actually spent 3 days in Shimla, exploring the place, the food and the shopping. Watch all of those videos here:

Shimla is a beautiful hill station. Bet it summer, winter or even monsoon, the place has its own charm and at least once in your lifetime, you must visit this beautiful hill station. It is mega touristy and honestly quite commercial, but its a place that I would love to visit again.

Another hill station that I recently visited is Munnar in Kerala. The place is famous for its tea plantations and is so beautiful in the monsoons. You can watch my experience in this video:

Looking for a quick weekend trip from Mumbai? Check this!

Watch some of my latest videos.

Subscribe to my Youtube channel here and stay tuned for more videos.

You can also follow me on my social media. Links below.

Instagram
Twitter
Facebook

Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah and more

Destinations Travel

August 23, 2019

Dubai Marina is absolutely gorgeous!

I spent a beautiful day at the Dubai Marina and also visited the Palm Jumeirah. Watch my video of this entire experience here.

Subscribe to my Youtube channel here

If you are heading to Dubai and want to go and spend some time at the Palm Jumeirah or the Dubai Marina then make sure you watch the video linked above as I am guiding you to the exact route I used and also the public transport details of my trip.

The famous marina district of Dubai has a lot to offer in terms of things to do. You can take a speed boat ride or a luxury dinner cruise, chill at the promenade and indulge in good food or just soak in the view. It’s quite a lively area and shouldn’t be missed.

The Palm Jumeira is a man-made island that resembles the shape of a palm tree. It’s one of a kind and true to Dubai luxury, is definitely an experience. You can visit the Atlantis here, which is a renowned hotel. And you can head to the palm by using the special monorail. All details in the video above.

Dubai Marina beach, a gorgeous open beach to view the sunset. This place has a soothing vibe. Also don’t miss the massive food plaza here.

The Dubai Marina mall is also beautifully lit! It’s a smaller mall compared to the other massive malls here but definitely don’t miss all the lights – it’s a sheer sight!

More things to do in Dubai here.

Want to explore more in Dubai? Watch these videos!

Dubai Souks – a different side to Dubai

Dubai Vlog – shopping in malls, global village, Arabic food and more

Vegetarian’s guide to food in Dubai

Subscribe to my Youtube channel here and stay tuned for more videos.

You can also follow me on my social media. Links below.

Instagram
Twitter
Facebook

Old Dubai – must visit souks, markets, places

Destinations Travel

August 11, 2019

Old Dubai has its own charm.

A lot of people feel that Dubai is all about tall buildings and malls, but I bet you haven’t seen Old Dubai.

Watch this video to get the real feel of Old Dubai – all the markets, the souks and all the must visit places.

Subscribe to my Youtube channel here

Here are all the places you need to visit while exploring Old Dubai. This also includes a few shopping tips and tricks. Read on!

Meena Bazar

Famous street in Dubai which is also a known area for all jewellery stores. Apart from jewellery, you will also find a lot of fabric stores, perfume shops and Indian and Pakistani restaurants.

The name Meena Bazar has a very intersting history. The road is actually called Al-Ghubaiba road; but because of a very famous fabric store, back in the day, called Meena Bazar the name sticks! When in Meena Bazar, you can shop all you like; but one experience that is bound to come your way is of people selling fakes – especially replica bags and sunglasses. So be wary of them.

The street actually has a lot of Gold shops, but the one I recommend is Meena Jewellers. Their designs are impeccable. I also recommend a perfume shop called Ratans. Tester perfumes sold much below MRP and also a lot of cheap local perfumes. Another thing I recommend buying in Meena Bazar are lace sarees – they have the pretties chantilly lace fabrics and you can get them for an amazing deal sometimes. I also recommend buying chiffon sarees here – you can buy them plain or with a slight gold border and the shades are just awesome.

If you’re looking for Indian Food then there are a lot of options in Meena Bazar. You can savor a thali from Puranmal to chaat from Kailash Parbat and even south Indian food in Woodlands.

Dubai Museum

This is located inside the Al Fahidi fort and is a great place to witness a bit more of history. They do have an entry fee of AED3 per person and you can also view the Grand mosque from across the museum.

Bur Dubai Souk

Right before you hit the pier for the abra ride, you will come across a little souk called the Bur Dubai Souk. This is a good prelude to the bigger souks on the other side of Dubai creek.

Abra Ride

This is a must do attraction in Dubai. It’s like a water taxi to go from one side of the Dubai creek to the other. And it’s an old way of travelling and still exists, so in my opinion you must experience it.

Spice Souk

At any souk, you must remember to bargain. In the Spices souk in Old Dubai, you will find all common and rare spices from the middle east region and this is part of the main trade.

Gold Souk

The mecca of all the gold in Dubai, well at least all thats on display! When at the gold souk, don’t miss all the jewellery on display – a lot of them are heavier, bigger and more shocking than you can imagine! Of course, the shops here sell gold jewellery that is more wearable too, so don’t forget to check that out.

Al Seef

This is located next to the creek and a great way to experience Emirati culture. You can take a walking tour and see all the architecture that is demonstrative of how the old Dubai was. Al Seef also has a large number of restaurants, so you can definitely enjoy a meal here. And it’s actually quite a nice place to chill and watch the colourful boats in the water.

So those are my must visits from Old Dubai. Do leave me a comment about your favorite place in Dubai, would love to know.

Watch my videos from Dubai.

Want to know more about shopping in Dubai? Click here!

Subscribe to my Youtube channel here and stay tuned for more videos.

You can also follow me on my social media. Links below.

Instagram
Twitter
Facebook

Dubai Things To Do – Dubai Mall, Global Village & more

Destinations Travel

June 22, 2019

Dubai – it’s a city that has something for everyone.

With every visit to Dubai, I have only grown more fond of the place. Dubai definitely gave me a new experience with every visit.

I visited Dubai in 2018 December and I captured most of my trip in the form of a video. You can check out my Dubai vlog here.

Subscribe to my Youtube channel here

Dubai Malls

You’ll find the best malls in the whole world, in Dubai. Talk about luxury brands or high street ones, they have it all. Here are some of my favorite malls in Dubai:

Dubai Mall

This is the largest mall in the world and has an indoor aquarium with an underwater tunnel, a dancing fountain show inspired by the Bellagio in Las Vegas and so many shops and restaurants.

Mall of Emirates

In terms of a luxurious feel, this mall aces it for me. Every nook and corner in the mall will make you feel like you are in a place with the most high end stuff!

Ibn Batuta Mall

This mall is more horizontally expansive than being just tall. It’s made beautifully well – different zones dedicated to travels of Ibn Batuta.

Dragon Mart

This is a mall dedicated to Chinese items. You will find everything here – from electronics to home decor, from clothes shoes and bags to cosmetics. Lots of stuff and super affordable.

Another major attraction in Dubai is Global Village. This takes place for 6 months in a year – October to April and is the biggest cultural event I have ever seen. Different countries come forth and set up their zones, selling things that are unique and local to them.

You will also find a lot of international chains and department stores. One of my favorite is Carrefour. It’s a UK based supermarket chain and one of my favorite places for affordable shopping, especially for chocolates in Dubai.

When in Dubai, I do like to indulge in Middle Eastern food. You can watch this video to know more about the places I recommend.

When in Dubai, I highly recommend visiting souks. And you can read this article for the best tips on navigating a souk.

Read about my last trip here.

Watch more videos from my travels

Dubai Souks

Dubai Marina

A Luxury Jungle Resort in India

Tokyo

Subscribe to my Youtube channel here and stay tuned for more videos.

You can also follow me on my social media. Links below.

Instagram
Twitter
Facebook

Krishna Temple Udupi – Shri Krishna Matha

Destinations

May 30, 2019

A while back I had the opportunity of visiting the Krishna Temple in Udupi.

The Udupi Krishna Temple is iconic to the extent of influencing the popular ‘Udupi Cuisine’. Here is a video tour of the Shri Krishna Matha.

Subscribe to my Youtube channel here

Rituals at the Krishna Temple in Udupi start as early as 4a.m. Devotees line up early in the morning to pay their respects to Lord Krishna. There is no entry fee inside the temple. This temple is one of the holiest pilgrimages in South India. In fact devotees of Krishna come here from all over India.

The idol inside the Krishna Temple in Udupi can be worshipped through a window. So unlike many other temples where the idol is in direct view, here it is accessed only through a window. The temple architecture is very intricate.

When you visit this temple, you must receive the prasad. This holy meal is served to all devotees throughout the day. This is a simple meal of sambhar, rasam, rice and payasam. The sambhar here includes a lot of vegetables, like gourd. Absolutely no use of onion and garlic is done while preparing this temple food and this is the perfect definition of sattvic food.

Want to find out about the best thali in Udupi? Click here

The Shri Krishna Matha was founded in the 13th century by Madhavacharya, the founder of Dvaiti school of Vedanta. There are also other temples in the same vicinity.

Whenever in Udupi, do visit the Krishna Temple.

I also visited the Golden Temple in Amritsar and here is my experience.

Watch some of my latest videos on Youtube.

Subscribe to my Youtube channel here and stay tuned for more videos.

You can also follow me on my social media. Links below.

Instagram
Twitter
Facebook

Things to do in Tokyo

Destinations Travel

May 30, 2018

A guide to the most beautiful things to do in Tokyo.

I recently visited Tokyo, Japan and I have a video taking you through my entire trip. Click on the link below to watch.

Subscribe to my Youtube channel here

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observation Deck

One of the best places in the city to get a view of Tokyo. This is a free attraction and all you might have to do is wait up in a line to get to the 45th floor and enjoy the city view. And if you look carefully then you might even be able to spot Mt. Fuji.

Sensoji Temple

When in Tokyo you have to visit the ancient Buddhist temples and one of them is the Sensoji Temple. This is one of the oldest temples in Tokyo and needs to be on your list. The entrance and the overall architecture of Sensoji is spectacular. And don’t miss reading your fortune here for just 100 Yen!

Another thing you can’t miss here is the 5 storeyed Pagoda.

Tokyo Skytree

This is the tallest structure in Japan and one can only imagine the kind of view that you can get from here.

Sumida Park

This is a quiet park alongside Sumida river. Here you can enjoy the greenery and also may be a cruise along the river.

Meiji Shrine

Another beautiful Buddhist temple in Tokyo, the Meiji Shrine is not to be missed. Firstly, the spectacular entrance to this temple will only make you realize how small you are! And it is surrounded by the Yoyogi park which is a beautiful forest within the city. The shrine buildings are also magnificent.

Shibuya Crossing

One of the busiest crossing in the world. You need to get in the middle of this madness.

Takeshita Street

This is one fun street – edgy fashion, cool desserts and a lot of stores! It’s crowded but definitely worth visiting.

Electronics Shopping

Don’t miss visiting the Electronic town of Akihabara in Tokyo. You can expect to find the latest and the best in cameras, watches, rice cookers and a lot more gadgets.

Ginza

This is the luxury shopping district in Tokyo. Any high-end brand that ever exists will have an outlet here. But the overall vibe of this place is excellent.

Tokyo style Crepes

When in Tokyo you need to try the crepes there and a lot of them can be found on Takeshita street itself. The come with a variety of fillings ranging from fruits to candy to chocolate and lots more.

Cheese Tarts

Tokyo is famous for it’s cheese cakes and cheese tarts and you need to try these. They are simply delicious!

Kit-Kat

Why do you need to try Kit-Kat here? Because the flavors that you’ll find here in Tokyo you might not find anywhere else in the world!

So those were the things that I insist you do when in Tokyo. I hope you found this post to be helpful and if you have any more queries then leave then in the comments below and I’ll be happy to help you out.

Watch more videos:

Follow me on my Social Media:

Instagram
Twitter
Facebook

« Previous 1 2

Category: Destinations

Exploring Chandigarh food, shopping places and a lot of other things to do in this post.

Shimla – very rightly called the queen of hill stations.

Shimla Mall Road – the feel of this place is just something else!

The Shimla Train Journey is one of my best parts of my Shimla trip!

Dubai Marina is absolutely gorgeous!

Old Dubai has its own charm.

Dubai – it’s a city that has something for everyone.

A while back I had the opportunity of visiting the Krishna Temple in Udupi.

A guide to the most beautiful things to do in Tokyo.