Foxy title eh? 🙂 Hello and HAPPY NEW YEAR! I got this delightful email last year (as in two days ago) and I figured why not make this my very first blog of 2014. Yes I know it’s already the 2nd of January, but I was up late ringing in the new year with my peeps at Tote on the 31st, so apologies 🙂 Ok here goes!
Well Hello Deepa, and thank you for the love all the way from Jo’burg! Can I just say first up I LOVED South Africa, we were there for the World Cup in 2010 and can’t wait to go back 🙂
So many cities in just over two weeks is jam-packed alright! But let me see if we can help you with a few must dos. Unfortunately I haven’t been to Surat or Ajmer and Agra in over a decade so I’m hoping some friendly blog readers leave you some tips on those and more but here are my recommendations for Jaipur, Udaipur, Delhi, Bombay and of course Goa!
JAIPUR
Here’s a quick list of things to do in Jaipur from Team MissMalini’s Dhruvi Shah. Visit: Amber Fort and definitely watch the light and sound show in the evening (English one at 6:30pm), check out the City Palace and Jaigarh Fort. Most definitely check out the cinema, Raj Mandir, Rambagh Palace Hotel and Jaipur Chokhi Dhani. Eat: Kachoris from Rawat, drink: Lassi from Lassiwala and try Cafe Neero’s restaurant. Shopping: Vasansi, Jaipur for Indian clothes, Pachrangi in Johri Bazaar, Jaipur for traditional sarees and suits.
I recently went to a gorgeous property just outside Jaipur myself called The Tree House Resort. Spend a night there if you can!
UDAIPUR
Check out the city palace and take lots of pictures (they charge you per device so just buy tokens for one and share your photos) I had the most stunning time in Udaipur at the Oberoi Udaivilas. It’s pricey so maybe go check it out just for a walkabout? I also discovered a very cool new property called the Ramada Udaipur. It looks just like a fort and has some very cool Rajasthani experiences in store for you, take a look!
DELHI
Delhi has a lot of touristy stuff to do. Check out Humayun’s tomb and take a stroll in the Lodhi Gardens, eat chaat at Bengali market and shop your heart out in Connaught Place. There is also lovely little restaurant nestled amidst the gardens aptly called Lodhi – The Garden Restaurant and I’d really recommend grabbing lunch there just for the green-tastic view… The last time I was there on a short holiday it was for Mission Mommy, an awesome mother’s day surprise! Check out what we did, I do think you might really enjoy the Kingdom of Dreams if you’ve never seen a big fat Bollywood stage musical. Clubbing-wise try Zoo at the Garden of 5 Senses (it’s where the models hang out!) and the Ultra Lounge, Club Pangaea. Oh and safety-wise I’d also suggest you use Uber car service app for getting around Delhi.
BOMBAY
A lot of my friends come stay at the Grand Residency Hotel in Bandra since it’s economical and well situated. Plus the good news is Mumbai nightlife is back on full throttle and by the time you get here events should also be in full swing! They’ve just launched a gorgeous new rooftop bar at the Palladium Hotel called Asilo so go grab a drink there and take in the view (be warned, not cheap! Ditto for Aer at The Four Seasons.) I would definitely do some shopping at Colaba Causeway for cheap and cheerful gifts to take back, pop into Anita Dongre‘s store on Linking Road and check out the global desi collection and have a delicious Indian dinner at the very beautiful Pali Bhavan in Bandra. Click here for my detailed Things To Do The Next Time You’re In Mumbai blog which covers everything from tourist attractions and shopping too food and nightlife!
PS. When you get to Bombay give me a shout and we’ll see if I can make some celebrity spotting happen for you too 🙂 xoxo
Goa
Oh Goa. Just thinking about you makes me smile 🙂 like you said you’ve seen a bunch of my Goa blogs already but scan this one for anything you’ve missed. My top picks: definitely dine at the Greek restaurant called Thalassa, in Vagator, a French one called La Plage in Morjim (do not forget to order the grilled mussels!) and late night egg sandwiches at Curlies. Also check out the Wednesday or Saturday Night Market depending on what days you’re there. You might really enjoy the Woof Woof! boat cruise on Chapora river as well and it won’t break the bank! For reasonably priced accommodation slap bang on the beach try La Cabana, Leela Cottages or Montego Bay.
Finally Deepa, I hope you have a super India holiday! Serious seven year itch eh? 🙂 Make sure you write me and tell me everything you end up doing! xoxo