Places to go in Bandra, Mumbai
Bandra is a suburb located in West Mumbai known for its shopping, nightlife, famous eateries, high-class residential layouts and a view of the Arabian Sea. It is also known as the ‘Queen of Suburbs’. Bandra cannot be missed from your to-visit list during your stay in Mumbai.
The famous Bandstand has a panoramic view of the Arabian Sea with rocks studded on the shore. Watching the sunset and a leisurely walk in the evenings or mornings are refreshing here. Also called the lovers’ point, named so aptly because of the young crowd who throng here for some lonely time. The number of eating stalls is plentiful and varied. The corn stalls, the coffee shops by the shore, are very inviting. You could also head to the Bandra fort from where you can have a look at the Bandra-Worli Sea Link.
The Linking Road is a heaven for shoppers with its innumerable shops for jewelry, accessories, footwear, clothes, & bags at economical prices. You can also get designer stuff at a very affordable cost here. Just that you would need to know how to bargain. If you are brand or designer-conscious, not to worry, as there are many high-end stores around Bandra where you can drop in for some exclusive stuff.
The Mount Mary Church is situated near Bandstand and is one of the most famous churches in Mumbai. This Roman Catholic Church has a beautiful statue of Mary. This is situated on a hilltop that overlooks the Arabian Sea. A week-long Bandra fair here attracts a lot of tourists and local people during the month of September. Bandra also has some old churches like St Andrew’s, St Anne’s, & St Theresa’s which have remarkable interiors. A large Christian community resides here, hence you can find churches in every nook and corner.
Mumbai being famous for Bollywood, has a Bollywood Walk of Fame for the movie crazy crowd. It is located at Bandra’s Bandstand and has hand impressions of many of Bollywood’s biggest stars. It also boasts some life-size statues of Bollywood legends. This is something similar to the Hollywood counterpart.
Bandra houses a lot of famous Bollywood movie stars. You can find quiet lanes in Bandra, which has old residential buildings where people from all communities and religions reside. These lanes boast of huge paintings of Bollywood celebrities on the walls of these buildings. Walking these colorful and bright lanes takes you to the fairy land of Hindi cinema.
Bandra has some of the best and most famous eateries with a myriad of varieties. Theobroma is located across the Linking Road and is best known for its burgers, cakes and cupcakes. There are many famous bakeries here known for their delicious baked food. Food is available at any budget here, but the taste is never compromised.
Beautiful Beaches of Alibaug | Beach Paradise
Alibaug, a beach paradise is a coastal town located in the Konkan region. When it comes for a perfect vacation the first thing we all would head to is a beach and relax in the calm waters. The number of beaches in Alibaug town is many that you can beach hop and have a fabulous time.
The Alibaug beach is spread over 3 to 4 kilometers to the west and is one of the famous beaches. The road to this beach from the main town portrays some important land marks like the market, Zilla parishad building, town library etc. From the beach you can have a beautiful sight of the Kolaba fort. The Alibaug beach has the blackest sand deposits. This beach has the purest fresh air that one can enjoy breathing. A walk along the shore is a perfect relaxation. The many eatables available here adds to the zest. Many sports like horse rides, banana ride, bumper boats, jet ski makes the beach more inviting.
Varsoli beach is located on the outskirts of Alibaug. Since this is located a little further away from the main town it is less crowded and very peaceful. The numerous coconut and casuarina trees decorate the shores of this beach making it a beauty to adore.
Kihim beach is located about 12 kilometers from Alibaug and lies north to the city. It is a serene beach adjacent to the thick line of greenery that is pleasing to the eyes. The endless coconut trees, cypress gardens, palm trees along the Kihim beach is a perfect photographic view.
Nagaon beach is located about 7 kilometers from Alibaug in the Riagad district. The beach is known for its cypress groves, suru trees, clean warm sand and pristine water. There are water sports like jet skiing, kayaking, banana ride, boat ride.
Mandwa beach is approximately 20 kilometers from Alibaug town. This beach is close to the Gateway of India. There are ferries available from Gateway to reach Mandwa jetty. You could view the Mumbai skyline from this beach. The Mandwa village has dense jungle of coconut trees.
Aakshi beach is 5 kilometers from Alibaug. This a white sand beach that is frequented by many tourists. A variety of birds flock here throughout the year that is one of the major attractions. It is ideal for swimming as it has clean water. The cypress groves, coconut trees, the quiet atmosphere is a perfect get away from the busy city life.
Kashid beach is another famous beach which is 32 kilometers from Alibaug. The beach has pure white sand that is clean and beautiful. You would not really have to go to Goa if you visit Kashid beach. The beach resorts here are a big attraction for the visitors.
Murud beach is famous for its clear blue water and silvery white sand. It is surrounded by mountains on all threes sides. The view of sunset from here is fabulous. Other major attractions here are the cypress grove, Palace of Nawab, Nawab’s buildings, the Arabian sea, beach resorts.
Cruise information for first time Cruisers
What is Cruising?
Planning for a cruise vacation is often one of the most challenging of tasks for those who haven’t organized travel, and it’s even more difficult when they haven’t travelled around a lot. A cruise liner is a ship which is used for enjoying stress-free holidays, these voyages are also known as pleasure voyages.
In a cruise vacation, the travel experience includes the voyage itself along with the entertainment and enjoyment of the amenities in the ship and change in different sceneries often on a day-to-day basis. The prime purpose of cruising is not transportation but the experience of a wide variety of things it offers. Check out our Cruise Ship tour in India, which is a travel zone for family, friends & colleagues.
Types of Cruises
You can never compare two cruising experiences because they are never the same. Cruise travel exposes you to very unique travelling experiences. There are seven major types of cruising and they are listed below:
- Solo Cruises
- Family Cruises
- Luxury Cruises (e.g., Golf, Art, Themed, Romantic, etc.)
- Senior Cruises
- Premium Cruises
- Adventure Cruises
- River Cruises
There are also ‘nowhere cruises’ that are available; these are mainly designed for the passengers to enjoy the experience of cruising and such ships will not stop at any ports.
Things to Consider Before Cruise Vacation
It is very essential that you understand the whole concept of cruising and carefully select the type of vacation you need. All cruises offer basic amenities such as food, accommodation, onboard entertainment, toiletries and transport and other additional amenities such as spa, excursions, drinks and other add-on packs. All these options should be chosen by the traveler according to his / her needs. Answering the below questions can help you to choose the best cruise for your travel.
- Your budget for the entire trip
- With whom you are travelling (Family, friends, solo etc.)
- Which part of the world you want to cruise
- Choosing the apt time for cruising
- Do you want a casual relaxing cruise or an activity-centered type?
- Are you prone to seasickness?
- How long is your trip?
- Where you want to board your cruise? (Near home or abroad)
- What types of activities are you interested in? (Culinary, Art, Golf, adventure etc.)
- Do you want to dress up for dinner parties?
It is also important to book your cruise well in advance because you may be offered additional perks such as cabin upgrade, discounts in ticket prices, free transfers, choice of cabins and other special early booking offers. Last minute booking will restrict your options, where you have to adjust your vacation and timings, and maybe travel in cabins cancelled by others. So, plan your vacation well in advance to fully experience the pleasure and excitement of cruising.
Kerala Tour Packages
Popularly known as “God’s Own Country”, Kerala is truly a destination of a lifetime. It is the ideal location for relaxation, culture and adventure as it offers a diverse range of activities to do and things to see for people with varied tastes and likes.
Popularly known as “God’s Own Country”, Kerala is truly a destination of a lifetime. It is the ideal location for relaxation, culture and adventure as it offers a diverse range of activities to do and things to see for people with varied tastes and likes. There are numerous fascinating aspects in Kerala and that is the reason why National Geographic Traveller included Kerala as one in it’s Paradise Found list! Kerala is nestled between the expansive Arabian Sea in the west and the towering Western Ghats in the east which enables it to sport a unique equable climate all year round! This has been the most alluring factor that has made more and more tourists visit this beautiful place!
Kerala has varied unique things to offer that attract visitors with diverse tastes to come and experience it. There are several tour package that can be designed to suit the interests of different people. Kerala has a beautiful long shoreline with serene and pristine beaches. There are also beautiful and luxurious house boats on which you can enjoy the calm backwaters. Kerala is also known as the Venice of the East which makes it a perfect romantic getawat. All this can be combined as honeymoon package for newly weds to enjoy their honeymoon, especially if they are interested in water sports and like to take strolls on the beaches.
For people who are interested in wildlife photography, Kerala is a great place to be to witness some of the finest species of animals and birds. It features lush hill stations, exclusive flora, fauna and exotic wildlife which makes it a perfect spot for photography enthusiasts. Whether you are interested in wildlife or even just nature photography, Kerala has some unique shots to offer that will truly be a memorable photographic experience. People with similar interest can join together to go on a photography tour to Kerala to capture some alluring shots of Kerala’s natural beauty and wildlife.
Kerala also features a rich cultural heritage and history which is depicted through magnificent temples, monuments, art forms and festivals. It is also famous for relaxing Ayurvedic massages and exotic cuisine. This is a perfect place for people interested in culture and heritage. Numerous foreign travelers visit Kerala as it is a melting pot of rich culture and heritage. This will also be a great family tour as younger children can be educated about the bountiful culture and heritage of the country.
The sprawling plantations, lush hill stations, serene beaches, enchanting art and culture, enthralling beauty of nature and wildlife and the splendid climate make Kerala the go to spot for great holidays! Whether you are looking for a perfect romantic getaway or a great place for family to be together, Kerala is the idyllic holiday spot that offers numerous tours for everyone to enjoy!
