5 Reasons Why Paris Should Be Your Next Holiday Destination

Films have been made about this city, songs and books have been written and countless proposals have been dreamed of. Needless to say, the city that exudes romance and fantasy when you say its name is on most people’s bucket list. But if you are still looking for a few reasons to visit Paris, well here they are!

The Art & Architecture:

Home to some of the world’s landmark monuments, museums and galleries, Paris is a dream come true when it comes to art and architecture. The Notre Dame, Place De La Concorde, Arc De Triomphe, The Eiffel Tower, The Louvre, Les Invalides are the most famous pieces of architecture one must feast their eyes upon in this city. Every nook and corner with their tastefully done up limestone Parisian apartments with their French windows overlooking the little cafes will make you want to own a place of your own there. If you are a connoisseur of art, then be ready to be exposed to the work of the greats like Rodin, Da Vinci and Monet amongst others. Yes you can see the famous Monalisa at the Louvre, provided you get past the number of people crowding around the painting.

The Food and Wine:

The French love their food as much as they love their wine and it’s no surprise that you will be exposed to a plethora of delicacies ranging from your basic crepes to the exotic Foie Gras. Some may feel that Parisian cuisine is a bit strange, but if you’ve been to Thailand then this is child’s play. 

You need not get experimental with food here as there are plenty of normal eating options. Meat stuffed baguettes, pretzels, crepes, croissants and varieties of Fromage (cheese) make for delicious snack and breakfast options. For a more wholesome meal think Croque Monsieur, Salade Nicoise or Steak Frites, and escargot (snails cooked in butter) for those who are feeling a little more adventurous. It’s almost criminal if one doesn't have dessert after their meals in Paris. Try Crème Brule or some assorted Macarons (Laduree is your best bet for the world’s finest Macarons). 

And wine? Well you can have it anytime and anywhere you please!

The Parisian Fashion:

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Undeniably one of the most fashionable cities in the world, some even go as far to give it the title of the Fashion Capital of the world, Paris definitely has some style and more. Home to many of the world’s most influential fashion designers one also gets to see some great street fashion here. Parisians love their clothes and are well presented and definitely carry an aura of casual chic. If you love fashion and always carefully select your clothes, then there is no other place you would be happier at! Shopping in Paris isn’t cheap at all, but it has lots of vintage stores where you can steal a bargain if you are lucky. And if you are planning on spending the big bucks then head to the grand Lafayette and Printemps, or stroll along Champs Elysees for some high street and luxe indulgence.

Boating On River Seine:

What's the best way to see Paris? Why by boat of course! Starting at Champ De Mars, you can opt for a morning or evening cruise depending on the weather. 

Cruise along the Seine as you marvel at the Parisian architecture with its old world charm as you go under the famous bridges and pass the Notre Dame, The Eiffel Tower and The Louvre among other landmarks.

The Eiffel Tower (Duh!):

I mean, this might as well be your one and only reason to travel to Paris. One of the most breathtaking works of architecture, The Eiffel Tower leaves you speechless the moment you see it. Yes the romance and sheer greatness of it may lose some of the sheen due to the large amounts of tourists it attracts daily, but you will still see the justification for it being counted as one of the Seven Wonders of the world. Feeling hungry? Then book a reservation at 58 Tour Eiffel; the restaurant located at the first level of the tower but make sure to book atleast 2 weeks in advance. After all not everybody can say that they dined at the Eiffel!Here’s a fun fact, The Eiffel was actually supposed to be a temporary structure created as an entrance to the 1889 World’s Fair. It was due for demolition in the year 1909 but thank God they decided against it!

Got any more reasons why you’d want to visit Paris? Please write down, maybe they’ll be some of the things I might just look at exploring when I next visit Paris!

5 places in Bombay where breakfast rules!

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A good weekend always starts with an even better breakfast! Considering that we usually rush through breakfast or sometimes even no breakfast at all during the weekdays, an elaborate weekend brekkie is a must do. Over the last 3 years I have spent scouting for and trying out breakfasts in most parts of Bombay, I’m listing down my top favorites.

Jam Jar Diner (Versova):

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A quirky little diner, with kitschy interiors filled with memorabilia from the 70s to the 90s, this place makes for an absolutely delightful destination for a weekend breakfast. The menu is elaborate and has some rather interesting choices. You can chose between the burgers and sandwiches or you could go for the favorites listed. I would highly recommend their Giant  Jam Jar Benedict or the Giant Jam Jar Popeye for those who love poached eggs and waffles. Almost all their juices and shakes make for pretty good accompaniments to your main dish.

The Bagel Shop (Bandra):

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A casual and laidback set up with an absolutely lip smacking menu is what you get at this popular Bandra eatery. Like the name suggests it has a wide variety of bagels ranging from a Turkey Ham bagel to a Goan Chorizo. Vegetarians have a wide selection to choose from too, the best bet being the Avocado bagel which is a beautiful combination of fresh avocado and cream cheese. You can go in for one of the many options from their all day breakfast menu.

Indigo Delicatessen (Andheri W):

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If you are from Bombay and haven’t heard of Indigo, then you are most certainly living under some rock somewhere. This tastefully done restaurant is one of the most popular choices for breakfast.  It is priced on the higher side but a onetime try is a must. Try their perfectly cooked Eggs Benedict with a side of crispy bacon and some fresh orange juice for a nice light breakfast. The English muffins used in the dish are delectable and so is the Hollandaise sauce.

The Nutcracker (Fort):

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The new kid on the block and already proving to be THE place to have breakfast at (if only it wasn’t that far, sigh..).  A charming little place, styled like a Parisian café, The Nutcracker has some interesting breakfast options that you wont find on any other menu. Try their Salli Eggs; which is a family recipe invented by the owner’s grandmom. They also serve the usual continental breakfast fare along with some Parsi options!

Hotel Ram Ashray (Matunga):

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If it’s good old South Indian breakfast that you are looking for then head straight to Ram Ashray in Matunga. The best part about this restaurant? It opens at 5 am, so it is your destination to satiate those post party cravings! Be sure to get there early as this is one of the busiest restaurants in town and finding a table can be quite the task. Some authentic South Indian fare such as Idli Sambar, Neer Dosa and Malgapuddi Idlis (Idlis with the famous South Indian Gunpowder) can be savoured with a glass of piping hot filter coffee. Expect no fancy ambience but be ready to be pleasantly surprised by the food and the pricing!

If I have missed out on any other awesome places to go for a hearty brekkie in Bombay, do write down below. Happy eating!

Jawhar : A Hidden Getaway From Bombay

It’s the month of December and for all those of us living in Bombay it doesn’t really make much of a difference weather-wise that is. Winter is the one thing that never comes here (yes yes I just made a Game Of Thrones reference). But December does bring with it a zeal of festivity and celebration, a time of travel and getting together with friends. And for all of us who are stuck in the humidity of Bombay even during the oh so magnificent winter, I suggest a nice long vacation somewhere cold and if that isn’t working out to be pocket friendly, fret not because we have lots of amazing places on the periphery of the city that you can escape to on a weekend. I am not promising snow or sweaters but definitely a pollution free environment and some much needed break from the traffic.

I recently discovered a tiny village called Jawhar, which makes for a terrific weekend getaway from the city.  This little hill station-ish village is perfect for those who love a good trek, evenings by a picturesque lake and freedom from the hustle bustle of the city life. Jawhar is located at an altitude of 518m, and is about 80 kms from Nasik and 180 kms away from Mumbai. Surrounded by lush greenery and beautiful waterfalls, this is an ideal weekend break.

View From The Room

Because most of Jawhar is still untouched which means that it is still underdeveloped, finding comfortable accommodation can be an issue, but we chanced upon this amazing place called Rural Mania, which is a luxurious villa with beautiful viewing decks to star gaze from. The couple who own the property are fabulous hosts and will go out of their way to make your stay more than comfortable. 

From mouthwatering homecooked food to helping you out with the trek, everything will be taken care of. Yes, alcohol is not an issue and you can even set up a little barbeque if you wish to do so. All this for a mere Rs.1000 per person!

Once you have reached and settled, its best to enjoy the evening star gazing from the spacious viewing deck at the property. Jawhar has a beautiful night sky and is a photographer’s delight.

Early next morning you must make the effort to go to the lake, which is a short walk from the property and watch the beautiful sunrise. It does give you the feeling of being one with nature. Have a quick breakfast at the villa and then drive down to the point where you have to meet the guide who will take you for a trek to the Kal Mandavi waterfalls. All of these details will be taken care of by your host, you just have to inform them a night prior to when you plan to do the trek.

Trek To Kal Mandavi Waterfalls

The sun can come out a bit strong and the trek can get a little difficult at times, but believe me the trek is totally worth it once you discover the sparkling waterfalls that haven’t been ravaged yet. These pictures are proof of the same!

But one has to be careful though because a slight miss of a step can lead you tumbling down head on to the waterfall, which let’s face it isn’t very holiday like now is it! Once you make it to the waterfall, taking a delicious dip into the cool running water is a fabulous idea, you can even take a picnic lunch to have up there because all that walking does whip up an appetite.

Post the treak you can head down to the village to see some fine Warli paintings as Jawhar is famous for the same. You can even take a few back as a souvenir of sorts. And by the time you are back to your villa a piping hot lunch will welcome you with its mouthwatering aroma.

A perfect way to spend your weekend, this is once place that should be on your winter weekend list if your are from Bombay. Easy to get there, cheap and nice accommodation with meals, fun activities and brilliant weather, what more can one ask for?!

Getting there:

The best way to find your way to Jawhar is via road. A comfortable 2.5 to 3 hours drive is all it takes to reach Jawhar. There are a few state transport buses, but who would want to start their peaceful getaway like that now!

Accommodation:

RuralMania

Ph: 99673 58853

Email: rural.mania@yahoo.in