Monday, 16 February 2015

Sula Vineyards Mumbai – A Must Visit Place

Sula Vineyards MumbaiMumbai is the commercial and cultural center of India and has been extremely popular among the tourists due to its versatility and most importantly, as a place which nurtures the budding and established talents of the Indian Film Industry. However; one more thing that has recently added on to the glory and charisma of Mumbai as a place to visit, is the Sula Vineyard – the first completely dedicated vineyard in India. The estate is located in Nashik, to be precise, which is approximately 180 km away from Mumbai. It is a perfect place for a daytime visit or picnic with family, wherein you will not only be able to witness the splendid beauty of a vineyard but also spend some quality time with your family strolling down the vineyard, getting into a short chit chat at the the rooftop restaurant or taking a tour of the amphitheater, all of which are located adjacent to the vineyard.

The Sula Vineyard Mumbai is the first vineyard in India that has exclusively catered to producing grapes for making wines and the journey began with the inquisitiveness of a Stanford University-trained engineer Rajeev Samant. Rajeev, who owned a whopping 30 acres family land in Nashik was aware of the fact that Nashik has been catering to the grape market of India since years, but could not find the answers to why the place has not been explored for producing wine-making grapes? With this question in mind and an appetite to make something big, Rajeev quit his Silicon Valley job and came to Nashik to carry out certain experimentation and research about whether Nashik has the ideal climatic conditions to produce wine grapes or not. Rajeev's research proved to be successful and it came to the forefront that Nashik's climatic conditions are just perfect for growing wine grapes. He thence embarked on his journey to find a wine maker and met Kerry Damskey, a California based eminent winemaker. The duo started their journey to establish the first wine-making vineyard in India and soon made their dream come true in 2000, when the first Sula wine was released into the Indian wine market. The Sula Vineyard Mumbai is the first vineyard in India to be used for growing premium wine grapes, like Californian Chenin Blanc and French Sauvignon Blanc. Today, the vineyard has received a worldwide recognition and boasts of its wide array of premium quality wines, like Late Harvest Chenin Blanc, Viognier, Dindori Reserve Shiraz , Merlot and Riesling.

The Sula Vineyard Mumbai is currently located above a privately owned and contracted area, spanning 1800 acres. Visiting the vineyard is not just about strolling down the vineyard; the authorities at the vineyard have also arranged for an educational tour, wherein they allow the tourists to get acquainted with the types of grapes and other vital information. Apart from that, the vineyard also allows the indigenous chance to visitors to taste their wines. Additionally, there is also a splendid lake-front guest house – Beyond, where visitors can spend a night or two at the beauty and enchanting peaceful environment of the place.

4 Most Important Things To See In Mumbai

Things to see in MumbaiAre you planning to go on a trip to Mumbai with your family and is wondering about the must visit places and must see things in Mumbai? You must then inevitably read ahead, as this article will guide you on which places to visit and what to see when you visit Mumbai.

Dhobi Ghat

The Dhobi Ghat is a compelling spot and is pretty unique as well. Despite the ready availability of advanced washing machines, people in Mumbai send out their dirty laundry to be washed from the experts, who wash the clothes manually in a painstaking and splendid manner, creating reels of water splash and droplets, as they thrash the clothes again the concrete grids. This definitely is a rare sight and the sprawling and never ending arena for the task, adds on to the beauty and charm of the place. Hence; this is one of the things to see in Mumbai, which you possibly cannot afford to miss out on.

Markets

Mumbai is extremely popular for its street and flea markets. Although the fact that these markets are all street-based, may not ignite excitement in many, but these are in no way synonymous to being cheap. Even the popular models and TV serial actors of Mumbai indulge in sprucing up their fashion statement and wardrobe from these markets. However; the street side markets do not just cater to the fashion world. There are many markets in Mumbai which cater to other markets as well. Some of the most popular markets in Mumbai are Colaba Market, Chor Bazaar, Crawford Market, Linking Road and Fashion Streets. Hence; if you are wondering about what are some things to see in Mumbai which are a little offbeat and different from the usual nature splendid and man made buildings, you should definitely pay a visit to these markets, which remain bustling with people from all age groups and allow tourists to collect cheap souvenirs from their trip.

Bollywood Film City

Bollywood is rightly called the “Hollywood of India” and it is one of the inevitable things to see in Mumbai. Crowded by cast and crew members of Indian films, the Bollywood film city is a bustling place, lost in its own culture and glamor. The Film City is located just beside the Churchgate railway station and can be easily accessed from any part of Mumbai. While Mumbai as a place provides a lot of trip options to its tourists, Bollywood film city is one of the must visit places in Mumbai. The Mumbai film city boasts of many life-like and splendid film sets that are worth a million rupees. This is also the perfect place to visit with your family, especially for small children, who become enthralled at the sight of their favorite film stars and the film sets.

Juhu Beach

Last but not the least, the Juhu beach is yet another must visit place in Mumbai. The home to almost all the most popular film stars of the Indian Film Industry, the Juhu Beach is an enthralling place indeed. The place is visited by millions of people on a regular basis and nothing can probably more fun than visiting the place with your family and enjoying the local delicacies sold by mobile food vendors. The sunset appears splendid from the place and you can sit here for hours never ending.

Things To Know Before A Mumbai Tour

Mumbai tourMumbai is really a fascinating place and it offers a lot to the tourists. Ranging from letting the visitors witness natural splendor to getting indulged in adventure sport activities and experiencing the glamor of Bollywood, Mumbai is a city like no other and deserves a spacial place in the heart o tourists. However; there are also certain things you must take into account and get acquainted with, while or before coming for a Mumbai tour.

Weather conditions

Mumbai, being a coastal region, experiences a steady climatic condition and temperature throughout the year. Although Monsoons are pretty strong and prominent in the region, it never becomes too torturing during the summers and winters. This is the reason why winters are recommended as the best time to pay a visit to the City of Dreams. However; Mumbai is also a good place to escape during the strong summers, when regions like Delhi and Rajasthan become too hot to handle. Experiencing a mild hot and humid weather throughout the year, Mumbai can be visited any time of the year and if someone is in love with monsoons and downpours, this is the place to be during the days.

Street food

Mumbai is extremely popular for its street foods, due the irresistible and unique flavor of the foods prepared by the street vendors. Although thousands of people regularly pay a visit to these vendors and it becomes quite difficult to resists such palatable foods for the tourists as well, it is always better and is highly recommended to avoid these foods. Even if you decide to experience the delicacies, your approach should be very steady and in moderation. You should first try out the food in as minimal quantity as possible and then move ahead with greater quantity, provided you gain success in digesting the food from the first tr. Other than street food, you should also pay attention to the water yo are being offered. It is highly recommended to consume only packaged drinking water and that too which are sourced from the best and most popular brands. Mumbai is a place where everything is pretty readily available and ranging from sprawling five star hotels to downtrodden street shops and mobile vendors, you will be able to indulge in delicious food from just about anywhere. However; it becomes your responsibility to filter the dangerous and potentially harmful and accept only the good during your Mumbai tour.

Local culture

Mumbai is a city that is an outcome of people from different cultural background. While the Marathis form a major part of the city's population, there are people from other cultural backgrounds as well. Hence; it is very important to be able to act accordingly with different people from different backgrounds. While the youngsters are generally very cool and casual, the Marathis, especially the elderly people are very strict about their culture and rituals. Hence; it is inevitable to pay due respect to the Marathi culture and behave properly in their places of worship while being on your Mumbai tour.

Holiday In Mumbai – Must Visit Places

Holiday in MumbaiMumbai is a very popular tourist destination in India. This versatile city has everything that is required to make the tourists feel awestruck. Ranging from the high street fashion and charisma of Bollywood to the largest slum in Asia and from the treasures of natural beauty – sea and beach, cliffs and mountains, natural reserves to man-made magnificent building and monuments, Mumbai has a lot to offer to its tourists. However; there are certain places among the numerous other, which definitely deserve to get a visit from all tourists during their holiday in Mumbai, and here they are-

Gateway of India

Once the major gateways to the country, the Gateway of India was build during the British Raj in India. Build in 1924, this magnificent structure is situated in Apollo Bunder, which is located at the end of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Marg. It took a whopping 13 years to complete the construction of the monument. Popularly remarked as the “Taj Mahal of Mumbai”, the 85 feet high monument was constructed as a commemoration of His Majesty – King George V's and Her Majesty – Queen Mary's visit to Mumbai. It was later used as a gateway for the arrival of various royalties like Governors and Viceroys. Today, the Gateway of India stands with all its grace and is one of the most prominent and popular tourist attraction places in Mumbai.This is a must visit place for holiday in Mumbai.

Juhu Beach

Another must visit place in Mumbai is the Juhu Beach. Immensely popular among tourists as well as residents of Mumbai, the Juhu beach is visited by millions on a regular basis. The sprawling beach oversees the beautiful blue Arabian Sea and is surrounded by Vile Parle on the western side, Versova on the northern side and Khar on the Southern side. Toady the beach, despite being located in the outskirts of the main city, is the home to many popular and prominent Bollywood stars and a visit top the beach early in the morning, can also bring a pleasant sight of popular Bollywood celebrities strolling and jogging through the beach. The weather here is very pleasant throughout the year and the perfect time to pay a visit to the place during holiday in Mumbai, is during the winters, when the temperature never dips below 25 degrees Celsius.

Marine Drive

Perfectly matching with the glitz and glam of the city, the experiencing the night view of the Marine Drive from a height is absolutely inevitable for anyone who want to witness the true beauty of the city at night. The concave driveway being lined with lamps on the side, appear like a necklace, being studded with blingy and expensive stones that shine to their glory at night. This is the reason, why the Marine Drive is popularly termed as “The Queen's Necklace”. A visit to the place at any time of the day is extremely refreshing and will definitely lift up your mood and spirit. This is a perfect place to sit and escape from the busy roads of Mumbai and indulge in exploring oneself and mother nature.

Shree Siddhivinayak Temple

More popular for being a place of worship for the high rated names of Bollywood, Shree Siddhivinayak Temple is the house to Shree Siddhivinayak Ganesha God. The temple is being flooded by millions of people on a regular basis and the evening aarti that echos through the walls of the temple and the chanting mouths of several waiting in cue in the streets, is simply soul nourishing and enchanting.

Things To Do In Mumbai

What to do in MumbaiMumbai is a never dying place and the rich cultural and historic heritage of the place offers endless opportunities for the tourists to indulge themselves in different kinds of experiences and activities. Hence; if you are planning your trip to the city and want to know about what to do in Mumbai, you should definitely read ahead.

Walk along the Marine Drive

Nicknamed as “the Queen's Necklace”, the Marine drive in Mumbai is one of the most popular places to visit in Mumbai. Thousands of people throng the place on a regular basis and the scenic beauty of the beach combined with the breathtaking glory of the sea makes this place a must see spot in Mumbai. The place offers a nice spot for strolling down the busy city and turns into a densely populated place during the sunset, as people arrive in herds to witness the splendid beauty of the sunset above the tranquil sea. However; the Marine Drive is not just about natural beauty. The place also offers mouthwatering treats of bhelpuri to the passersby and visitors. It is a place where you can sit for hours uncounted and rediscover yourself amidst the hustle and bustle of the busy city.

Shree Siddhivinayak chastity

a fave among even the hotshot names of Bollywood, your visit to Mumbai cannot be counted as complete without a visit to Shree Sidhivinayak. Hence, if you are lost in the question of “what to do in Mumbai”? You can definitely stop brainstorming and pay a visit to Shree Sidhivinayak and make any of your dreams or desires come true. While the environment of the place is simply magical, the feature that will leave you awestruck is the huge assemblage of worshipers who flung the place on heavy numbers on a regular basis. The best thing about this temple is that it is located at the heart of the city and no matter where you are residing, you will not have to turn many stones to get through and reach the place. Visiting the temple is not just magical but a sort of healing process for the mind and soul. No matter how hectic and eventful your day may be, participating in the enlivening aarti at the Ganesha temple will make you forget all your worries and pains.

Experience the Gateway of India

A common and popular destination among tourists and natives, the Gateway of India can be one of the indispensable answers to your question of what to do in Mumbai? Constructed almost a hundred years ago in 1924, this colossal structure is situated in Colaba and overlooks the entry point or the harbor of the Arabian Sea. It is one off the major sea ports of India and is today a major and one of the most popular landmarks of the city as well. This site is a treat for history enthusiasts, who relish the beauty and grandiose of historic monuments and the legends associated with the structure. One of the facts that make this gateway more special and mention worthy is the fact that the British Raj in India came to an end with this Gateway, as the Britishers left the country from this very gateway.

Rejuvenate Your Life By Going For Sailing In Mumbai

Sailing in MumbaiThe “City of Dreams” is not just popular for its bling life but also for the tranquil and lively sea and sea beach that sits in the heart of the city solemnly, yet making a very distinct and important presence in the lives of people. While the Mumbai beach is being visited by millions on a regular basis, the beautiful sea with its charisma can only be experienced by exploring the sea on a personal level. This chance of exploring the gorgeous waves of the Arabian Sea is presented solely by the water sport activity of sailing. Going for sailing in Mumbai is a very popular activity for Mumbaikars and the same is proving true for visitors as well.

Sailing is a wonderful sport activity; not just it allows people to experience the fun and adventure of a water sport activity but also allows people to explore the city from an all together different perspective and angle. While sailing is thrilling and adventurous, it doesn't pose any major threats to the participants. Moreover, the participants of the sailing boats are always accompanied by expert sailors or guides, who guide the participants on how to handle the yacht or how to control themselves in order to remain safe and secure during the trip.

While sailing in Mumbai has become a pretty popular water sport activity these days and more and more people are opting for this activity as a quality trip in holidays and their special days, sailing is not at all a new thing for Mumbai. The availability of sailing as a water sport activity in Mumbai dates back to hundred of years, as this sport activity was originally introduced in Mumbai by the Britishers. This sport activity took place in Mumbai for the very first time in the early years of the 1800s and since then, it has attracted a lot of positive feedback from the adventure sport enthusiasts and regular tourists alike. While by the time Britishers left our country, there were as many as 5 different sailing clubs in Mumbai, the Mumbai Sailing Club stands today as the most prominent and important sailing club in Mumbai, which is situated at the very spot of the Gateway of India. It is also the only sailing club in Mumbai which provides all the facilities related to sailing, other than availing many other types of water sport activities for the enthusiasts.

Mumbai is a place that never dies down on the options of recreations. However; one of the major reasons which keeps people bringing back to sailing in Mumbai is that this activity is a versatile activity in itself. It makes for a perfect gift option for the special days of those people who are extremely close to us and the best thing about this sport activity is that it can be experienced and relished with anyone and everyone. Whether you plan a trip with someone who is extremely special in your life or a fun trip with your family, you can enjoy sailing with anyone.

Superb Weekend Getaways In Mumbai

weekend getaways in MumbaiThough Mumbai is one such place which never turns mundane for visitors and its residents, the busy lifestyle of the city, many a times leads to the generation of a desire to escape into a place that offers a different perspective on life. Completely different from the environment of the main city, the splendid beauties of these adjoining places of Mumbai offer something special to tourists and allow them to experience something unique and breathtaking. Listed below are four such popular weekend getaways in Mumbai that you will be able to explore within just a weekend from Mumbai.

Goa

Most popular for its tranquil yet busy beaches, colorful carnival and a fun-loving and outgoing spirit, Goa is nominated as one of the most happening tourist spots. People from all over the world rush to the place, just to witness the uniqueness in the cool and casual atmosphere that thrives in an ever-so conservative country like India. While Goa may be a superb hot spot for holiday for many Indians and westerners alike, this happening place is just a weekend away from Mumbai. Hence; if you reside in Mumbai or is currently visiting the place and watching out to hit some happening spot for just a weekend adventure, you can definitely opt for Goa. While there are public transport options available to reach Goa from Mumbai, a long drive for 10-12 hours through the splendid roads will also get you to the place.

Karnala

If you are seeking to indulge in the beauty and mystery of some splendid historical monuments and events that define the culture and historical background of Mumbai and Maharashtra, you should inevitably visit Karnala, which is just 12 km away from Panvel. The place boasts of the lush flora and fauna, with the forts consumed by the algae – creating a soothing and mysterious eye treat and the Karnala Bird Sanctuary, which is located near the Sanjay Gandhi National Park.

Khandala Lonavla

Another prominent weekend getaways in Mumbai like Goa, the dual places Khandala and Lonavla can be explored in a single tour and that too without going-in for too much hassle and the best attribute about visiting this place is that it is just a 93 km drive via the Mumbai-Pune expressway. The reason which majorly caters towards the huge popularity of the place and why people prefer visiting the duo areas over the other possible spots for their weekend tour is that these two regions open up huge possibilities for trekkers and also because these two spots have many adjoining places worth visiting. Boasting of picturesque landscape, adventure and thrill laden sport activities and certain unique features like chikki, the dual areas make for a versatile spots to visit in a weekend.

Panchgani

Panchgani is a hill station around Mumbai, which is characterized by five adjoining hills and thus the name “Panchgani”, in which the word “Panch” literally means “five”. The place is rich in natural reserves and the beautiful entwining sperpent-like pathway of the River Krishna adds on to the beauty and the charm of the place. Panchgani is one of those popular weekend getaways in Mumbai that is not characterized by only one feature. Rather, the place has many other spots to offer for travel enthusiasts and thus allows people to indulge in the beauty and differentiated charisma of many places in their short trip. Some mention worthy places to visit around Panchgani are Wal, Sherbaug, Rajpuri.