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“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”
Published by Kamna Yadav journalism and mass communication student.
The capital of Rajasthan is what called us to explore it this time around, and we, as usual, obliged without a second thought. The catch here was that we had to do the exploring in 2 days.
Jaipur has quickly, and quite rightly become a hot-bed for tourist activity, and why not? The charming city with its beautiful palaces and wonderful structure are enough to leave anyone awestruck.
There were 4 places in particular that had our attention this time around, and we would love for you guys to know just about
Where to stay:
Clarion Bella Casa:
If opulence, homely comfort and architectural brilliance had a form, then Bella Casa would come really close to it. The Bella Casa, which is a family managed and brilliantly cared for hotel, is a place that one needs to see and spend time when they are in this beautiful city.
With wide open and green surroundings, pristine rooms and delicious food, we really could not have asked for anything better. A beautiful home away from home experience is what is in store for you at this abode and what an experience it is!
Located in the heart of the city, Bella Casa is essentially a beautifully renovated palace that deserves your attention rightfully.
What to explore:
· Panna Meena Kund:
Situated on the Jaipur-Amer road, near the Anokhi Museum, the brilliant structure was constructed in the 16th century. Touted to be a wonderful place to meet their social circle or to just come and swim, the architecture of the stepwell is absolutely flawless.
In ancient times, this place was utilized as a pool to protect water. The unique construction of the place is astounding and one can just spend hours just marveling at it. The best part about this awe-inspiring place is that it is not as crowded as a lot of the other step-wells across the city.
· City Palace:
The City Palace is essentially a palace complex that comprises within it many palaces like the Mubarak Mahal and the Chandra Mahal. Once the seat of the Maharaja of the State, the City Palace is now a tourist attraction that houses within it a museum as well, which holds within it the history of the beautiful city of Jaipur.
A major landmark of the pink city, the City Palace has an aura about it that screams of the bygone era in the most beautiful and majestic way possible. With its outstanding architectural elements and brilliant art that the place houses, the City Palace is a must explore the area, especially if you are looking to take in the essence of the city in its most natural form.
· Amer Fort:
You must have of course heard of the Amer Fort at least once in your lifetime, and not without reason either. One of the most visited tourist attractions in Jaipur, the Amer Fort is a beautiful and vast complex that has brilliant structures as well as wonderfully green laws inside it.
Situated 11kms north of the main city, the palace inside the fort boasts of brilliantly styled rooms with inlaid work done with semi-precious jewels. The one place you ought to explore is the Sheesh Mahal i.e. the mirror palace. The name itself conveys the beauty and intrigue that this structure might hold inside, doesn’t it?
Where to eat:
· OTH (On the House):
Coming to one of the favorite restaurants now, OTH or On The House is rightly as famous as it is, within some very remarkable and delicious reasons. The food at OTH is nothing but mouth-watering and amazing to dig into and something we truly relished.
The sheer variety of the food here will leave you wanting to order everything they have to offer you on the menu without a second thought. We definitely recommend the hummus and pita and do not leave the restaurant without at least giving a try to their absolute brilliance of shakes.
· Spice Court:
The moment we felt ourselves craving for Indian Food, we knew where we had to head because we really do love doing our research before we head to any destination! Enter The Spice Court, a quintessential stop for any traveler or tourist who is looking to indulge in some delicious Indian-Rajasthani cuisine.
Apart from all that was on the menu in the Spice Court, we definitely recommend the Lal Maas & Keema Baati for people who love trying out new things. Another bonus to visiting the Spice Court is that in the same premises you have Dzurt!
Dzurt, has on offer some of the finest patisseries because what could be more of a bakery than a French Café and Bakery, that not only serves some of the most delicious desserts in the pink city and with recipes by a certified chef from Le Cordon Bleu? Nothing we tell you!
· Home Cafe by Mr. Bean:
Quaint and beautifully done up, Home Cafe by Mr. Bean is one of the oldest cafes in the city. Having opened in the year 2002, the cafe is based on a concept of the English Tea Room, serving an all-day menu and some absolutely delicious food.
Everything on their menu is worth a try, and though we could not, for obvious reasons try everything out, the things we DID try here were absolutely delicious and we went back for seconds for as long as we could. We highly recommend that you try their tri-hummus platter if you are a hummus lover because this is one thing you will not want to miss out on!
The Pink City is truly any traveller’s must-visit destination without a doubt and one that leaves a lingering and beautiful impression on anyone visiting it the first time. The people, the food and the brilliance of the architecture of this city had us wondering all the way, and this intrigue is what will make us go back to this city once again for sure!
PUBLISHED BY KAMNA YADAV
Manali, amidst the hilly slopes, is a paradise for mountain lovers with spell-binding views, charming streams, the fairy-tale-like fog surrounding little hidden cottages, and a lingering scent of pines and freshness. Oh, and you can ride a yak or ride your bike up the famous Rohtang pass to Leh, the valley of the gods.
Manali suits the needs of every kind of travel mindset. A family looking for some bonding time, a couple for some peace and quiet, solo travelers for some solitude or a group of friends seeking an adventure.
Before we explore the itinerary, Let us get to know some basics about surroundings.
During Summer & Spring months — Summer Clothes + Essentials & for evenings light jacket or windcheaters
During winters —- heavy woolens, warmers
Plus trekking boots, sunscreen, a poncho, comfortable walking shoes & camera to freeze the memories.
There are a whole lot of things to do in and around Manali. Here’s your ULTIMATE Manali travel guide to the hippie town in Himachal.
Day 1 & 2: Kullu Valley
Rightly hailed as the Valley of Gods, Kullu’s divine beauty has been beckoning travelers from all over the world. Adventurists have been traversing its forbidden slopes and romantics have been idealizing its tranquil landscape. For almost all reasons or no reason at all, Kullu has never evaded any true snow-lovers’ map.
Here’s a list of some of the most sought after things to do in Kullu-Manali
1. Visit the Hot Springs at Manikaran: Just 1.5 hours away from Kullu, the fabled hot springs of Manikaran are a sight for sore eyes. Any experience of Kullu-Manali tourism is incomplete without a visit.
Attractions: Go to Manikaran Gurudwara, Naina Bhagwati Mandir, Kheerganga, and Parvati Valley.
Activities: Trekking, shopping, rafting, and going on food trails.
2. Spot Some Fauna at the Great Himalayan National Park: With 31 species of animals and 181 species of birds existing in undisturbed Himalayan habitat, the wildlife lover in you won’t be disappointed. Of all the attractions in the valley, this is among the more offbeat things to do in Kullu Manali.
Timings: Open 24 hours
Entry fees: ₹100 per adult and ₹50 for students. (Permits are required).
Nearby Attractions: Go to Tirthan Valley, enjoy wildlife attractions (spot the snow leopard, blue sheep, Himalayan brown bear, Himalayan Thar).
Activities: Trekking, camping, bird-watching, trout-fishing
3. Trek to Kheerganga: Situated in the Parvati Valley, this is easily one of the most picturesque treks amidst the great mountains. The 11 km – the walk is rough but the view more than makes up for it.
Attractions: Walk along Parvati River, go to Manikaran Sahib, trek to Tosh, Malana, try delicious food at cafes, shop, enjoy rustic villages amidst picturesque landscapes, visit Parvati Kund (a natural hot spring).
Activities: Trekking, camping, nature photography
Best time to visit: May to June and October to September
*TIP — Check out Places to Stay near the Kheerganga Trail
4. Explore History at Naggar Castle: The former capital of Kullu, Naggar is brimming with heritage in the form of temples, a castle, and an art gallery dedicated to a Russian artist who made Naggar his home.
Entry fees: ₹15 per person
Nearby attractions: International Roerich Memorial Trust, Urusvati Himalayan Research Institute, Jagti Patt Temple, Tripura Sundari Temple, Murlidhar Temple, Gauri Shankar Temple.
Best Rated Places to Eat in Kullu
Solang, close to both Kullu and Manali, is a stop no true blood adrenaline-seeker can afford to miss this. You could either spend a night in Solang or use Kullu/ Manali as a base, to explore the energy and the snow-clad beauty of this valley. Whether you enjoy adventure or not, the terrains of Solang will inspire you to go out and face your fears.
Amazing Things to Do in Kullu Manali: Solang Valley
1. Go Paragliding: Watch the landscaped beauty of the valley and enjoy the thrill of sailing in the air.
Cost: A short fly will cost you ₹600 per person and a high fly will cost you between ₹1500 to ₹3000 per person. Go all out, we would say!
2. Try Rock Climbing and Rappelling: Climb the untamed mountains of Solang and get a taste of raw adventure.
Cost: ₹700 per person.
3. Go skiing: Embark on the ultimate Himalayan adventure down the slopes of Solang. A must-try of all the things to do in Kullu Manali.
Cost: ₹300 per person
Other Activities: Trekking, gondola rides, zorbing (₹350 per person), snow scooter (₹500 per person), amateur skiing (₹300 per person), and skating.
Best time to go: If you’re going for adventure activities like paragliding visit in the summer (May to July) but if you want to enjoy skating or skiing go in December.
Manali is easily India’s summer vacation capital. From backpackers to enthusiastic tourists, Manali entertains all kinds of travelers. It’s often used as a base by adventurers to trek the nearby valleys and mountains as well as indulge in some adventure sports. On the other hand, Manali is an equally delighting place for the quiet traveler as well, with its green valleys and the ever-magnificent Beas River.
Amazing Things to do in Manali
1. Drive Through the Rohtang Pass: Passing through wonderful views of the surrounding mountains, the drive will be the one you won’t forget. The pass is mostly closed in winter between October and May. Permits are required.
Cost of the permit: ₹500 per vehicle.
Activities: Mountain biking, snow scooter, sled ridge, ski ride, tire drop, and skiing.
Best time to visit: May to October
2. Go White-water Rafting in the Beas River:Feel the chilling glacial water hit against your skin as you wade your way through the scenic route of the river.
Cost: Basic rafting (₹500 to ₹1,000). The rafting packages start from around ₹2,000 and they include accommodation and meals for one night. (*Photo)
3. Spend some time at the Monasteries: Peek into the culture and also enjoy a day of serenity after the mad adventure. Popular monasteries are Gadhan Thekchoking Gompa, Himalayan Nyingamapa Gompa, and Manali Gompa. One of Kullu Manali Tourism’s most spiritually uplifting delights. (*Photo)
4. Visit the Hadimba Temple: The popular 15th-century temple is known for its architecture as well as the beautiful cedar forest that surrounds it.
Entry fee: Free entry
Timings: 8 am to 6 pm all days of the week
Visit Duration: 1 to 2 hours
Best Rated places to Eat in Manali
Best places to stay in Manali
For luxury: The Anantmaya Resort, Shivadya Resort & Spa, La Ri Sa Resort
For mid-range: The Orchard Greens, Amneu Beas Valley, Mountain Green Villa
For budget accommodations: Bhoomi Holiday Homes, Nihal Cottage, Hotel Mountain Inn
Best hotels: The Tranquil Inn, Urvashi’s Retreat, De Phoenix Eye
Best homestays: Sunface Homestay, The Dog on the Hill, Jukaso Mrikula Cottage
PUBLISHED BY KAMNA YADAV
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