BangaloreMumbai

There are plenty of tourist places to visit in Mumbai. If you are a fan of scenic sea faces, visit Bandra Bandstand, Worli Sea Face and Marine Drive. A backdrop of multiple Bollywood films, Marine Drive has a place in the heart of every Mumbaikar and is one of the best places to watch the sunrise and sunset in the city.

The Gateway of India, an ‘arch’aeological wonder, was built during the British rule and is a hot spot for tourists, street vendors, amateur photographers and balloon sellers. Any trip to Mumbai would be incomplete without a visit to Elephanta Island. You can take a ferry ride to this UNESCO World Heritage Site and bask in the remarkable temple carvings.

Mumbai Darshan tours are best experienced on double-decker buses that take passengers through the main attractions located in the heart of the city. A trip to Dharavi, Asia’s biggest slum, would be a unique experience for any traveller to see a contrasting way of life.

For nature and wildlife lovers, a safari through the wilderness of Sanjay Gandhi National Park is a refreshing experience. Adlabs Imagica, located in Khopoli, nearly on the outskirts of Mumbai, is an adventure lover’s paradise consisting of theme parks, water parks and snow parks that are ready to get your adrenaline pumping.

Mumbai is a confluence of global flavours that will tantalize any palate. Juhu and Chowpatty beach are great street food options that are easy on the wallet. Parsi cafés offer an authentic taste of Iranian cuisine in cozy, heritage-style architecture that can be found in and around Colaba and Fort.

The Bohri Kitchen is a unique dining experience that serves up delectable home-cooked food of the Bohra Community. Mughlai specialities can be best enjoyed at Khyber, Bademiya and Gulshan-e-Iran. Prithvi Café, Kala Ghoda Café and Le 15 Pâtisserie, are all-time favourites for a light snack or a mesmerizing meal.

Fashion Street, Colaba Causeway, Mangaldas Market, Bandra Linking Road and Hill Road are the best street shopping destinations that offer great pieces at great prices. The stretch of Crawford Market and Lokhandwala street sell every item you may have heard of and are great places for bargain hunters.

To get your hands on some precious stones and jewellery, you can head over to Zaveri Bazaar. Chor Bazaar showcases some of the best vintage and antique items available in the market and it will literally take you on a nostalgic trip down memory lane.

The veins of the city, Mumbai locals are a must if you want to experience the Mumbaikar life. There are local train stations conveniently located throughout the city with a train running every 10 minutes. If you do manage to get a footing into the local trains (especially during peak hours), it is one of the most convenient methods to navigate the city. For an air-conditioned commute, metros and monorails can be availed though they are not as far reaching as the locals.

If trains are not your preferred means of travel, you can hail cab services like Ola and Uber or the famous ‘kaali-peeli’ taxis, buses, and auto rickshaws.

There are plenty of tourist places to visit in Bangalore. Nature lovers can visit Cubbon Park and Lalbagh Botanical Gardens to see the beautiful and scenic side of Bangalore. Cubbon Park, spread over 120 hectares, is nestled in the center of the city and has been attracting tourists since 1954. Founded by Hyder Ali, Lalbagh covers 98 hectares and is home to a variety of plants and trees like bonsai, giant silk-cotton trees and Japanese gardens.

HAL Aerospace Museum & Heritage Center is a first of its kind museum established in 2001. Models like the MIG-21, Marut, Kiran and Canberra bomber offer a glimpse of India’s aeronautical history. Another cultural and historical landmark, the Iskon Temple, which opened in 1997, is one of the largest temples in the world and offers a spectacular sight of blended contemporary and traditional styles.

Bangalore features some high-octane theme parks like Wonderla Amusement Park and Fun World for adrenaline junkies to jump into. 8-hour tours of the city let you explore some of its most iconic heritage spots like The Vidhana Soudha and Tipu Sultan Fort and Palace. Those looking to get away from the city life can check out the many resorts located around the city like Palm Meadows and Royal Orchid.

The city’s love for sports is evident as there is always a sports arena within a few minutes of you where you can have an invigorating session of your favourite games like football, basketball, badminton, tennis, and more.

To get a delightful taste of the orient, you can indulge yourself at Fatty Bao, Mikusu, Shao, or Yataii. JW Kitchen, Toit, Lush and The Black Pearl are some restaurants that offer a taste of the international palate. You can dive into some delicious seafood at Karavalli, The Fisherman's Wharf, Mangalore Pearl and Caraway Kitchen.

You can also head over to Mavalli Tiffin Room, Vidyarthi Bhavan, Brahmin’s Coffee Bar and Anna Kuteera for some local flavours while Opus, Skyye Lounge and Pecos are some of the more ‘buzz’ing places to be at.

Bangalore is a burgeoning city of not only technology but retail as well. Filled with malls and shopping streets, the city is a shopaholic’s paradise. Popular destinations like Commercial Street, Vittal Mallya Road, Chickpet Market, Brigade Road, Malleswaram Market and MG Road infuse a dash of vibrancy to the city and are ideal to get some much-needed retail therapy.

The growing AC metro services in Bangalore are steadily cooling the traffic congestion the city has been so infamous for. Though not far reaching, the metro majorly connects the core of the city and is a boon for many commuters. Dubbed ‘Namma Metro’, it is the fourth longest operational metro network in India with two operating lines - purple and green - and is expanding into many more lanes.

The bus network, known as Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), is well connected throughout the city. However, it is slowly being replaced by taxi services like Ola and Uber and auto rickshaws.