Shimla Train Journey | Toy Train, Mall Road & more

Shimla Train
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.

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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:

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Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah and more

Dubai Marina
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.

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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

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Old Dubai – must visit souks, markets, places

Old Dubai spices souk
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.

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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.

Old Dubai bur dubai

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

Old Dubai abra

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

Old Dubai 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

Old Dubai 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

Old Dubai 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.

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Alibaug Weekend Trip | U Tropicana Resort

An Alibaug weekend trip can be such a quick getaway from Mumbai.

Earlier in the year, I stayed at a luxurious villa on an Alibaug Weekend Trip. Check out this video from my trip.

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Alibaug weekend Trip

U Tropicana is  good property in Alibaug. In fact I have stayed at their regular resort rooms and also their villa and I can vouch for both. A villa is great when you are in a big group  and want to live under one roof. If booked well in advance, you can even find a steal deal online. And their individual rooms are great for privacy. Most of them are pool facing, with a cozy sit out.

Alibaug Weekend Trip

Personally, I enjoy taking a ferry ride or a speed boat to Alibaug. The drive is quite long – a 45 minute ferry ride versus a a 3-4 hour drive! So I would definitely recommend the water route. However, double check this mode of transport if you are travelling during monsoon.

Alibaug Weekend Trip

In terms of food, Alibaug is all about coastal Maharashtrian cuisine. So expect a lot of non veg! However, if like me you are vegetarian too, then U Tropicana has you covered. They do have a pretty decent veg fare.

I would recommend Alibaug for a quick weekend getaway. It gives that feel of being away from the city, without much travel. And there is quite a bit to do there – the beaches, the forts and more. So definitely explore Alibaug!

Watch more travel videos

Weekend trip from Bengaluru

A summer trip to Shimla – the summer capital of India

Quick trip to Tokyo, Japan

Want a guide to Dubai? Check this.

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

Dubai
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.

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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

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Hotel Jade Garden Mysore – Clean & Comfortable stay in Mysuru

Centrally located, clean and comfortable is how I’d describe my stay at Hotel Jade Garden Mysore.

I came across Hotel Jade Garden Mysore and the one thing that made me choose it was the location. While travelling, I always look for properties that can quickly lead me to all the tourist spots and yet, not be in the middle of commotion.

Hotel Jade Garden Mysore is a budget hotel here and one thing I can vouch for is their hygiene. This is something I’m very particular about while choosing a hotel.

I stayed in their executive room and it was extremely comfortable. Clean sheets, ample towels, basic selection of tea and coffee were all there.

Jade Garden Mysore

Jade Garden Mysore

Even their bathroom was basic, yet very clean. And generously refilled with toiletries everyday!

Jade Garden Mysore

Jade Garden Mysore

They have 2 restaurants inside the hotel. One if them is Saffron. This is the place were I enjoyed their breakfast buffet and it was quite a spread. A good mix of South Indian and western dishes. I stuck to trying out local cuisine – idlis, dosas and filter coffee was my daily staple! The idlis at Saffron deserve a special mention. They were fresh, soft and melt in your mouth. And the coconut chutney was perfection.

Jade Garden Mysore

Jade Garden Mysore

Jade Garden Mysore

The other restaurant here is one of the most happening rooftop bars in Mysore. This is Iconic rooftop restaurant and bar and it had such a fun, chilled out vibe. Good music, good food and good cocktails!

Jade Garden Mysore

Jade Garden Mysore

Jade Garden Mysore

Jade Garden Mysore

This rooftop bar actually has an open section which has a bar and a few high tables. But they also have a more cozy dining area that serves delicious food.

Jade Garden Mysore

Jade Garden Mysore

From the outside, the hotel looks great. In the day time especially it makes for very insta-worthy pictures. And in the evening, when it’s all lit up it looks gorgeous as well.

 

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Jade Garden Mysore

Hotel Jade Garden Mysore is a place that I would stay when I come back here. The staff, hospitality and of course the idlis totally made my stay here very memorable. When you visit Mysore, definitely keep this hotel in mind. You can check out their website for bookings.

Before Mysore, I was Bangalore and you can read about my luxurious stay here.

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Krishna Temple Udupi – Shri Krishna Matha

Krishna temple Udupi
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.

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Krishna temple Udupi

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.

Krishna temple Udupi

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.

Krishna temple Udupi
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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.

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La Marvella Bangalore – Luxurious stay in Bangalore

La Marvella Bangalore
I recently had the opportunity to stay in La Marvella Bangalore and it was beautiful!

La Marvella Bangalore

La Marvella Bangalore offers luxurious stays in Jayanagar, an affluent residential and commercial area in Bangalore. Area wise this is pretty close to a lot of good places in Bangalore – eateries, malls and more.

For me, a key part of hotel stays is how clean they are. Some of the fanciest properties may not really be the cleanest! La Marvella was not only clean, but also very well maintained. Their rooms were spic-n-span, nothing seemed like it was out of order!

La Marvella Bangalore

La Marvella Bangalore

I also found their rooms to be a bit bigger than most hotels. They didn’t feel cramped, or busy. Very well spaced out.

Some of their rooms offer a view. Mine was the executive room and I was lucky to have this greenery right outside the window.

La Marvella Bangalore

One thing that was really interesting was this switch box. Everything just a press away! Switch boards are normally spread across the room. But this box just makes life so much easier! You could even operate the automated curtain from right here.

La Marvella Bangalore

If you love hotel bathrooms then welcome to the club! I just love big mirrors, shower cubicles and nice white towels.

La Marvella Bangalore

Their room is equipped with everything – bathrobes, ironing board, tea-coffee and a water heater, tv, wifi and in room dining.

La Marvella Bangalore

I did check out the restaurant Golden Oak, a multi-cuisine restaurant inside La Marvella Bangalore. And it feels nothing short of a fine dining experience. Highly recommend trying out their Shaam Savera – a delicious Paneer gravy and their Hyderabadi mix vegetable. And their steaming hot chapatis too.

La Marvella Bangalore

La Marvella Bangalore

La Marvella Bangalore

Also, don’t miss their litchi stuffed rasgullas!

La Marvella Bangalore

La Marvella Bangalore also houses Sohum Spa, a popular spa chain in India. And while I was there, they were offering a complimentary 15 minute foot massage.

La Marvella Bangalore

If massages are not your thing, then head to the roof top and chill by the pool. Because Bangalore weather is mostly amazing, you can catch a good sunset and also a nice view of the city.

La Marvella Bangalore

That was all about my stay at La Marvella Bangalore. I also got to check out their suites and they were more luxurious than I could ever imagine!

This is their Executive suite.

La Marvella Bangalore

La Marvella Bangalore

La Marvella Bangalore

This is the Presidential suite.

La Marvella Bangalore

La Marvella Bangalore

La Marvella Bangalore

You can find out rates, availability and all other details on their official website.

Read about my staycation experience in Mumbai here.

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Sheraton Grand Pune – Room Tour Video

A while back I stayed at The Sheraton Grand Pune and had a pretty goof experience.

You can watch this video where I take you through the Sheraton Grand Pune. It also includes a room tour.

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The Sheraton Grand Pune is one of the oldest five star properties in Pune. The hotel is now part of the Marriott group.

This hotel is located at Bund Garden, Pune and is pretty close to Pune railway station. In terms of amenities the hotel is equipped with a restaurant and coffee shop, a spa, an outdoor pool and even a roof top dining area. They have 2 pools – one for adults and the other for kids and both are located on the terrace, alongside Chingaari, their rooftop restaurant. They also have an in-house spa – Shine Spa. It is a very popular hotel among business travellers and is very well equipped with large conference rooms. The hotel is also known for its banquet halls for hosting parties, weddings and receptions.

The Sheraton Grand Pune does have that old world feel to it. Rooms and the lobby are reminiscent of an older hotel. Even the old style lift and the interiors are quite vintage in their feel.

While there are many luxurious and five star properties in Pune, the Sheraton Grand does provide a memorable and comfortable experience.

You should also check out my experience at the Radisson in Mumbai.

A Luxurious Sunday Brunch Experience at The Hilton

Weekend Getaway in South Goa

Staying in a Villa in Alibag

Looking for suggestions on Pune food? Watch these videos!

Need a discount on food in Pune? Check this!

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Staycation in Mumbai at Radisson Goregaon

Staycation in mumbai
Staycation in Mumbai, my own city!

What’s a staycation – a getaway in your own city or simply staying in at home. Here’s a video from my staycation in Mumbai, my own city and the hotel I chose was Radisson Goregaon. Do watch.

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As I grow older, I believe in more relaxing vacations. Trips that are more about slowing down and experiencing the moment rather than trying to do it all. And travelling also helps me connect with myself. So staying in, relaxing and not worrying about a list of places that need to be visited has its own charm. Sure you can do all of this at home; but the problem at home is that you are always on. How will you not answer that doorbell? How will you not worry about home stuff or even things like what to eat? Even a day off makes a difference and I believe one should definitely try it. And its ok to try it at home too..just make sure you are consciously trying to switch off from everything.

I had a very memorable staycation in Mumbai in Radisson Goregaon. The hotel has its own restaurant that serves buffet and also a separate rooftop restaurant. They have a spa – Tattva spa which is luxurious and has some really good treatments. And their rooms are good. So this was definitely a weekend of eat-sleep-chill for me.

Staycation in mumbai

Did you know that even fragrances are relaxing? Read about my favorite ones from Bath & Body Works India here.

I do travel a lot and here are some of the destinations that I’ve visited recently.

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