You login to your Facebook account and your news feed is filled with posts of your friends travelling, shopping and indulging in all kinds of recreation this summer. Travel teaches us a lot and some places make you fall in love with nature, people, culture, architecture and those tiny shopping lanes. To start with, you should know the best things to do at the place you are travelling to. Imagine leaving Mumbai without savouring Vadapav, leaving Lonavla without buying chikki, not tasting Fenny at the Goan shores or returning home from Kerala without experiencing the beauty of Kathakali. If you don’t have the budget to fly to Europe, look around India and visit these cities – make sure you don’t leave any stone unturned!
Hyderabad
The city of pearls and once the seat of the Nizams, Hyderabad doesn’t fail to impress as a city, with its rich culture and delicious cuisine. The city has so much to offer that you can’t experience everything in just one visit. Shared by Telangana and Andhra Pradesh as a common capital, Hyderabad has a lot for you more than you can imagine.
1. Hyderabadi Biryani: This flavourful rice based dish is just what one needs after a long tiring day. Marinated for over four hours, biryani’s recipe has come straight out of the Nizams’ kitchen with a tinge of Andhra’s spicy cuisine. Experimenting different biryani restaurants is a wise thing to do in a city which doesn’t go wrong with its biryani. Stop by at Nayaab Hotel, a small but one of the best places to have biryani at, even at 3 am!
2. Lac Bangles: High-rise shopping malls have pushed the authentic street shopping experience away. Right next to the beautiful Charminar is a lane calledLaad Bazaar. This street gives a new word for bling. The well-stocked Lac bangles are one of the things you must not forget when you leave this place. Available in all colours, the bangles are to die for. Pamper your vanity case and get yourself a pair or two.
3. Pearls crafted by Karigars: What’s the point in visiting the City of Pearls and not grabbing a piece for yourself? The pearl necklaces crafted by experienced karigarsare a must have. Hyderabad pearl market offers artificial as well as the most precious pearl jewellery in all shapes and sizes.
4. Night Life: The IT industry has opened gates for employment opportunities and Hyderabad has welcomed everybody with open arms. The rise in migrants has brought in a blend of night life and wide range of eateries throughout the city. The night life is vivacious, fun and is open until wee hours. Drinking and driving like always will put you in trouble for sure!
5. Iranian Chai: Iranian chai is a Hyderabadis’ favourite drink. Iranian cafés in old city offer the best tea available in the city. Don’t leave Hyderabad without taking a sip!
Jaisalmer
Nicknamed ‘The Golden City’, Jaisalmer takes you back to the era of Maharajas. The city boasts of rich Rajputana history which goes back to 1156 A.D. Theedifices of the city is predominantly made of sandstone.
1. Jaisalmer Fort: Be a Maharaja for a day. Visit the golden yellow Jaisalmer Fort made out of sandstone and experience the royal living. The most exciting fact about the fort is that there are over 4,000 people still living within the ancient walls of the fort. Take a walk through the walls and experience the ancient temples and Havelis.
2. Laal Maas: Rajasthani cuisine is mostly vegetarian. But if you are a Non-vegetarian you should try Laal Maas. A lamb delicacy cooked in hot chilli peppers is just what you need. The local lassiwhich is topped with cream is also a popular drink here.
3. Camel Safari: Do not forget to go on a desert safari. Located at the tassel of TharDesert, camel safari here is a heavenly experience.
4. Kuldhara: Visit Kuldhara, a popular ghost town which has been empty for decades. It is a forbidden land and no one really dares to stay there. But, it speaks of history and should not be missed.
5. Shopping: Retail therapy is the best therapy available in Rajasthan. The streets are a riot of vibrant colours and craft. Walk through the lanes and find intricately designed and carved wooden baksas (boxes), mirror-work garments and hand embroidered jootis (slip ons).
Gangtok
Gangtok, the capital city of Sikkim is one of the most beautiful cities of Northeastern India. Relatively unexplored, unspoiled, this is one city you should not miss.
1. Food: If you are a beer lover, you must try the millet beer. The drink is a specialty of this city and is made locally.The Sikkimese cuisine is an amalgamation of Tibetan, Bhutanese and Indian cuisine. Go beyond momos and relish the wide variety of local delicacies made out of nettle, fern and bamboo shoot.
2. Music: Do not miss the live gigs of Sikkimese youth playing at the clubs. The youth here are ardent music lovers and they are passionate about live musical performances.
3. Changu Lake: Make sure you visit Tsongmo or ChanguLake, a beautiful frozen lake which lies 12,000 feet above sea level.Changu lake leads to Nathu-La pass which connects the state to China’s Tibet region. This mountain pass has a political history and should be visited only on permit. Forbidden ones are the most exciting to visit.
4. Rumtek Monastery: Do not forget to visit the Rumtek monastery, which was built in the 18th century. This Buddhist monastery is one of a kind.
5. River Rafting: Gangtok’s adventure sports are just perfect if you want your trip to be memorable. River-rafting is the most exciting form of outdoor activity you must experience.
Lucknow
Filled with architecture of the British-era, this home of the Awadhi Nawabs, demands respect towards its diverse traditions and culture. The city spells magic with its authentic Awadhi cuisine.
1. Ittar: It’s the royals’ perfume extracted out of fresh flowers. Ittar (scented oil) should be on top of your list of things to buy in Lucknow.
2. Chikankari: Lucknowichikankari embroidery is an Indian craft that is inimitable. Janpath market is your one stop shop for all kinds of Chikankari garments.
3. BaraImambara: Set between refined Nawabilives played out in magnificent palaces,Bara Imambara, the architectural monument took 14 years to complete. Make sure you visit this historic building built by Awadh’s Nawab.
4. GalautiKabab: They say everybody should go to Lucknow only to eat! With Awadhi cuisine at its helm, this place is a foodie’s paradise. Do not miss GalautiKabab from your Lucknowi menu.
5. Heritage Walk: Fix an appointment with the Lucknow Heritage Walk volunteers and visit old Lucknow to get a feel of the history of the Awadhis. The heritage walk takes you through the best flower markets and shopping places.
Leh, Ladakh
Known as an ice desert, Leh is a trekker’s paradise. Temperatures dropping to as low as -42 degree Celsius, Leh is heaven on earth.
1. Sunrise view: Do not forget to start your day by the watching sun coming up behind the PangongTsoMountains. Go camping amidst layers of ice at Satchu. Hire a bike a ride through Khardungla pass, the highest pass in the world.
2. Being at Peace: Meditate at the open monastery of Diskit. Meditating among closed walls and in an open monastery with lakes flowing around you blissful.
3. Food: Leh cuisine is distinctive and is inspired by the cross border delicacies of Gilgit, Pakistan. Pamper your taste buds and relish authentic Thukpas and Skyu which are made out of wheat flour. Momos of course are a delicacy in the mountains.
4. Chinese prayer wheels: Don’t come back without shopping for local Tibetan hand crafted curios. Your house can do with one of those Chinese prayer wheels.
5. Sangham: Visit the ‘Sangham’, a confluence of Zanskar and Sindu rivers. The mesmerising meet of the rivers will leave you spell-bound.