Pune is a city that is close to some of the most picturesque destinations in the Western Ghats. With self-driven cars easily available, one can plan a road trip anytime. Here are some destinations worth the drive.
Category: Maharashtra
What Mahabaleshwar Taught Me About Life, Love & Happiness
There’s no reason to be ashamed of finding comfort in familiarity. And travelling, like everything else in life, isn’t a competition. It’s not about how many countries you visit, but about the joy you find in each trip. As someone …
Read More "What Mahabaleshwar Taught Me About Life, Love & Happiness"
Panchgani with Saffronstays Verandah by the Valley
It took us around five hours to reach Panchgani from Mumbai, with a little halt at Pune to break the long drive. We were glad to see that our homestay at Godavali Village was marked on Google Maps and a …
Read More "Panchgani with Saffronstays Verandah by the Valley"
Mumbai: An unlikely addition to your bucket list
A lot of people come to Mumbai to find a job, make a life or fulfil a dream. But do a lot of people aspire to travel here? Does Mumbai inspire the same kind of awe that Cherrapunji or Spiti …
Read More "Mumbai: An unlikely addition to your bucket list"
Reclaim your childhood at Novotel Imagica Khopoli
I’ve always wondered why ‘playing’ with the aid of toys, or sometimes nothing at all, is only the purview of children. For adults, all ‘play’ is bound by rules, be it sports, video games or board games. Over a weekend …
Read More "Reclaim your childhood at Novotel Imagica Khopoli"
Rediscovering the pleasure of slow travel at Fratelli Vineyards
Living next to acres of verdant vineyards has been a long-cherished dream and it comes true for a few days at Fratelli Vineyards. In the morning, I wake up to see the workers at the winery setting up the processes …
Read More "Rediscovering the pleasure of slow travel at Fratelli Vineyards"
In photos: Vinsura Winery, Nashik
Nashik is India’s own Napa Valley, dotted as it is with wineries and vineyards of all shapes and sizes. And while I’ve passed through several times, I’ve never really been to the famous vineyards thus far. Little Vinsura Winery tucked …
Sarangkheda Chetak Festival 2016
We arrive at the 20 acre ground after a sumptuous breakfast of poha, jalebi and kachori. The sheer number of horses is mind-boggling, as are some of the price tags. Padma, being the tallest horse at the festival, is pegged …
Road trip to Malshej Ghat
It has always been my dream to drive down to Malshej Ghat in the thick of monsoons and lose myself in its blankets of misty greenery and waterfall-streaked mountains. I got my chance during one July weekend when the rains …
Pune reminiscences
Two years in Pune, at an age when my personality was evolving and I soaked up new experiences like a sponge, have given me a fair idea about the city’s draws and limitations. Tucked away in the resort-like environment of …
Maharashtra Nature Park
The monsoons have been abundant this year and the vegetation has ripened to a deep shade of green. There are no other visitors on this Sunday and the silent paths between the woods echo our footsteps. After speaking briefly to …
Discovering Gholvad with Masters Paeridaeza
We have heard much about its Parsi heritage and chikoo orchards but Gholvad charms us from miles away, as we drive through mountain-flanked roads in the green, monsoon month of July. The cool and moist monsoon wind has already put …
Windmills & farms with Jakson Inns, Phaltan
Jakson Inns is a three-star hotel by Jakson Hospitality but we were legitimately impressed by the size and aesthetics of our terrace-facing room and the amenities provided. Spending two nights in this spacious, airy accommodation was going to be a …
Sanjay Gandhi National Park: The jungle in my backyard
One cool autumn weekend, I decided I wanted to revisit the one real slice of wilderness on the borders of Mumbai’s concrete jungles – Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), known commonly as Borivali National Park. One doesn’t expect much from …
Read More "Sanjay Gandhi National Park: The jungle in my backyard"
Photo story: Maratha food fest at Pondichery Cafe
This graceful woman was only one of several authentic Maharashtrian fixtures at the inaugural dinner of ‘The Great Maratha Warriors Food Festival’ at Sofitel Mumbai BKC. The inauguration was held at Sofitel’s most charming Parisian restaurant, Pondichery Cafe. It was …
Read More "Photo story: Maratha food fest at Pondichery Cafe"
