Discover India – Raw & Rugged
Places to visit in India in May often include mountain retreats that offer a refreshing break from the scorching summer heat. Although beach vacations are also an option, my personal preference leans towards the hills. In this blog, I will share some of the best hill stations to visit in India during the month of …
Sondai Fort trek is a perfect trek for beginners or individuals who have not embarked on a trek in years. Easy to reach from Karjat, just about 9kms from the railway station, this is one of the ideal beginner-friendly treks to explore the breathtaking views of the Sahyadri mountain range. The best time to undertake …
Indoor play area in Mumbai have grown in numbers, especially after malls came into being. From Funky Monkey, Baccha Party, and Hakuna Matata to Xeno’s play space, there are several kids’ play spaces in Mumbai. Recently, I, along with my little one, visited the most unique of them, hence I am dedicating a blog to …
Meher Retreat Pune is a 27-acre agri-tourism resort located about 45 km from Pune. It is an ideal one-day picnic spot that offers a perfect blend of relaxation and recreational activities. On a beautiful December morning, amidst wonderful weather, we visited the retreat and had such a memorable time. This time, the group was extensive, …
A trip to Silvassa during a long weekend is a safe bet, especially if you are a Mumbaikar. Instead of heading to popular destinations like Igatpuri, Lonavala, Karjat, and the like, we chose Silvassa for this long Christmas weekend, and it turned out to be a good decision. Barring some traffic on the Western Express …
Weekend retreats at Lonavala during winters have become a ritual for us. Although they come with their own set of challenges, as huge crowds head to this hill station close to Mumbai and Pune. Finding the right villa in Lonavala with pool is a daunting task. Sometimes the cost is too high, and most times …
Children Nutrition Park in Kevadiya, Gujarat, is the world’s first technology-driven theme park. The brainchild of the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, it was started with the intent to inspire children to eat healthy food. The cute toy train Nutri Express covers various stations, allowing children to understand the importance of the right nutrition …
The Statue of Unity (SOU) is the tallest statue in the world, standing at a height of 182 meters. Built as a tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, also known as the Iron Man of India, this statue is one of the most visited tourist destinations in India. Located in the town of Kevadiya, the statue …
Hotel Gautam Lonavala is a Rajasthani-themed palace resort located near the Lonavala bus stand. I discovered this resort from Instagram reels, where several vloggers highlighted the Udaipur vibes that one can experience at this hotel in Lonavala. Where they accurate in their claim of royal charm? Well, here’s my unbiased review. Hotel Gautam Lonavala – …
Club Mahindra Netrang Resort in Nandej is a blissful retreat for the mind and the body. It is a resort where you can enjoy the luxury and comfort of modern life along with the best of nature. Enveloped by pure nature, the monsoon is the best season to explore this beautiful forest resort. Throughout my …
Club Mahindra Tropicana Alibaug is a luxurious resort with several amenities like swimming pool and Happy hub. It is a perfect resort for a ideal weekend getaway with family by the sea.
Dapoli beach is a popular tourist destination along the Konkan coast of Maharashtra for several reasons, the top being its pristine beaches, pleasant climate, and strategic location. Nestled amidst the Sahyadri Mountains, it is an ideal getaway for people staying in Mumbai and Pune. With a stunning coastline stretching as far as 50 kilometers, Dapoli …
Places to visit near Mumbai in monsoon Mumbai monsoon is famous for being filmy and romantic, just like scenes straight out of a Bollywood movie. There are many places you can visit in Mumbai to enjoy the famous Mumbai monsoon, such as Marine Drive, the Gateway of India, Juhu Beach, and more. However, if you …
Monsoon Getaways in India can be best described as dreamlike. The mysterious charm of the rain-soaked landscapes that you experience in India is surreal. Something that you can experience but cannot describe. From cascading waterfalls to misty mountains, a landscape as diverse as that in India offers myriad breath-taking views that is best explored during …
Devgad Beach is a pristine white sand beach situated in the beautiful town of Devgad in the Sindhudurg district. Devgad, famous for its Alphonso mangoes, is bestowed with natural beauty. In recent years, Devgad Beach has become quite popular with tourists in search of clean beaches and less crowded destinations. Last week, my family and …
Hotel Marine Plaza Mumbai, a 5-star luxury hotel located next to Marine Drive, was a dream stay for me. It had been a while since I was searching for a staycation in Mumbai, and what better place than a hotel offering awe-inspiring views of the Arabian Sea. There were numerous room options available at Hotel …
Thane Flamingo boat ride starting from Coastal & Marine Biodiversity Centre in Airoli, Navi Mumbai, has become a popular tourist destination in recent years. Thanks to the state-of-the-art Airoli Flamingo Sanctuary, spread across 50 acres of land, it is a complete nature lovers’ paradise. There are two well-designed museums inside the Airoli Flamingo Sanctuary, exhibiting …
HmmBrr Agro Resort Junnar, like its unique name, HmmBrr that is moo of a cow, is exceptional in all sense. It is an excellently designed, sustainable resort that offers a cosy stay in the laps of nature. We were visiting Junnar to attend a family wedding function that is when we searched for a resort …
Club Mahindra Sherwood resort in Mahabaleshwar was on our wish list since we got a Club Mahindra membership almost a decade ago. Unfortunately, we could not get a booking until recently. Yes, its a popular resort, and its proximity to Mumbai and Pune makes it an even more attractive option. It is an ideal resort …
Strawberry picking at Green Valley Farm Mahabaleshwar is a must-do activity especially if you are spending your holiday at Club Mahindra Sherwood Resort, Mahabaleshwar. Green Valley Farm is situated less than ten minutes from this 5-star Club Mahindra property. Nestled amid an abundance of nature, this is one of the best strawberry farms in Mahabaleshwar. …
Jaylos lake resort Nashik is a wonderful resort with a few downsides. Right from ambiance, the nearby farms, and the flora and fauna and the restaurant, it Jaylos resort Igatpuri is a wonderful stay option for a peaceful time.
Club Mahindra Resort – Tungi, Lonavala, Maharashtra is a luxurious resort amidst the forest. An ideal resort to spend a wonderful time amidst nature.
Ooty or Udhagamandalam, popular as the Queen of hills, is situated in Tamil Nadu. Often referred to as India’s Switzerland, there are many places to visit in Ooty. Blessed with a good climate, flora, and fauna, and of course splendid tea and coffee estates, it is a must-visit hill station in India. How to reach …
Isha Yoga Center Coimbatore, situated at Vellangiri foothills, almost forty kilometers from the city, is a must-visit place for all, especially, for people with interest in yoga and meditation. Sadhguru founded Isha Yoga Center Coimbatore in the early nineties. However, it gained much popularity in the recent years after the inauguration of the Adiyogi Statue …
Ikea Mumbai store visit had been on my to-do list ever since I found the global furniture retailer chain is opening its store in Navi Mumbai. My first reaction – was impressed and oh so exhausting. The Ikea store in Navi Mumbai spans over 5.3 lakh sq. ft and is exactly the reason exhausting. It’s …
Mumbai film city tour has been on my bucket list ever since I found out that such a tour existed on Bookmyshow. Of course, to experience the glitz and glamour. Being someone who is born and brought up in Mumbai, I have never travelled the city like a tourist. It was my first time, and …
Matheran hill station, a quaint hill station, near Karjat in the Raigad district of Maharashtra is one of the best places to explore during monsoons. Why? Thick forests, abundant nature, scenic hills, and green living, as it is Asia’s only automobile-free hill station, are some reasons to plan a trip to Matheran. Being a Mumbaikar, …
Junnar Maharashtra is declared as the first tourism taluka in the Pune district, of course as it is unique and blessed with abundance. If you ask me if there’s one place that, has it all, Temples Caves Backwaters Forts Farms & fields Fresh air Cattles Even Hills I will say yes, I have recently been …
Kumbhalgarh Village Tour was the highlight of our Day 2. After exploring the majestic fort city, Kumbhalgarh, near Udaipur, Rajasthan, it was time to experience the slow life of this town. A laid-back vibe, there are many things to experience in the quaint village. Our Day 1 visit that started post-lunch ended on a peaceful …
Bhedaghat Jabalpur is a place with magic and trust me when I say it that the rock marbles formation you see over here is unmatched, out of this world. I have never seen anything like this before. Bhedaghat blows your mind away as soon as you walk down the spiraling steps and lay your eyes …
A planned city, also ranking top 5 as the cleanest city in Swachata Abhiyan, there are many places to visit in Navi Mumbai. Did you know NMMC has made a request to tag Navi Mumbai as Flamingo City? Yes, the request has been made to the Central Government for Swachh Abhiyan. As someone who has …
Kanha National Park, famously called the Kanha Tiger Reserve, is the largest national park, approx. 940 sq. Km., situated in central India. Until I visited this state last week, I didn’t know Madhya Pradesh was called the Tiger State of India, due to the maximum number of tigers living in its dense forests. Kanha National …
Exploring the Best of Nagpur, the winter capital of Maharashtra, also a smart city and one of the best destinations to visit in Maharashtra during winters. Popular as the “Orange City”, there are many places to visit in Nagpur and several food delicacies to relish, including the Maharashtrian Saoji cuisine and the famous Tarri Poha. …
Waterstones Hotel in Mumbai is one of the premium hotels for a luxurious stay amidst the city. In pandemic times, when traveling seems to be a bigger concern, and many countries have strict traveling rules in place, the staycation trend has picked up big time among regular travelers. For me, it was my first time, …
Coorg Karnataka, famously known as the Scotland of India, is a popular hill station in India. Well, firstly it is a fascinating hill station with breathtaking views and secondly, it is best known for coffee plantations in India. Coorg weather is the most pleasant between October and March, and hence that’s the best time to …
Mussoorie, a quaint hill station in the state of Uttarakhand, has a special place in my heart. At times, you visit a place and feel an instant connection, a certain calmness, a definite pause. For me that place was Mussoorie. Popularly called the Queen of the Hills, its sublime beauty is hard to express through …
Karnala Bird Sanctuary, near Panvel, is a paradise for nature lovers wanting to spend a peaceful day amidst lush greens. Just before the coronavirus outbreak, we visited this popular tourist spot in January 2020. What a memorable trip it was. We not only explored the bird sanctuary but also trekked up to the Karnala fort …
Go green nursery, a beautiful plant nursery for shopping plants has become my go-to place to spend quiet time amidst nature. Strategically situated, near the foothills of Karnala bird sanctuary, we first discovered this garden mall almost a year and a half back. On a random weekend, geared on our bike, we decided to spend …
Karjat farmhouse stay is a perfect weekend getaway from Mumbai and Pune. A picturesque town in India, Karjat is located in the Raigad district, Maharashtra. Being equidistant from Mumbai and Pune, many travelers head to Karjat resorts to escape the city life. We did it too and what better time than the monsoons to unravel …
Yercaud hill station is a must-visit hill stations in India. Yercaud – a tiny laidback hill station nestled in the north of Tamil Nadu. The first thoughts that come to my mind as I close my eyes and picture myself on this beautiful hill station are – mesmerizing, great hospitality, less commercial, and nature beyond …
Must visit beaches in Alibaug, let’s find out my favorites! Staying in an Alibag beach resort, close to Nagaon, gave us ample opportunities to explore the Nagaon beach stretch over our three days stay. The walk from Bougainvillea beach house to the long stretch of coastline was hardly a few minutes. The beach that was …
Alibaug beach it is! After almost a year of staying at home, we took our first vacation to Alibaug, a coastal town situated in the Raigad district of Maharashtra. Most people from Mumbai, Pune, and the neighboring cities have probably been to this place before. Still, its beautiful beaches and the amazing regional cuisine attracts …
Strawberry picking at Mahabaleshwar it is! I have been to this picturesque hill station quite a number of times but had never experienced the joy of strawberry plucking right from the farm. So, in our previous journeys, we never were in Mahabaleshwar during the strawberry season. But fortunately, this time we were and we took …
Strawberry picking in Mahabaleshwar Maharashtra is fun but can be enjoyed during the strawberry season, i.e., winter. But have you visited this place in monsoon? It is heaven. I am in love with Mahabaleshwar. Rightly so, because of its lush green mountains and food delicacies. By the latter, I mean strawberries. Every year, it has …
Airoli Flamingo Sanctuary. Let’s go! Hi, all travel enthusiasts and nature lovers. Hope you are staying afloat in the absence of leisure travel due to the pandemic. So, amidst the Corona Pandemic, I have travelled to a few destinations that too mostly in panic. We took our first family trip to Alibaug, a beach destination …