India
The most wonderful rooftop bar with a stunning panorama of the city skyline, the racetrack, ocean, and Haji Ali mosque. Aer Bar attracts a glamorous clientele of fashionable Mumbaikars and awe struck tourists.
www.fourseasons.com
114 Dr.E.Moses Road, Worli, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400018, India
+91 22 2481 8000
Google map: bit.ly/13dPUiB
Aer Bar is a rooftop bar with the most amazing panoramic views of Mumbai: its skyscrapers, racetrack, ocean and Haji Ali mosque.
114, Four Seasons Hotel, 34th Floor, Dr E Moses Marg, Worli, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400018, India
+91 22 2481 8000
Google map: bit.ly/YCL9HG
Like an ornate old world cathedral, this monumental representation of Gothic-revival architecture—complete with turrets, lancet windows, gables, high arches, elaborate porches, decorative corbels, and jutting gargoyles—stands aloof from its flock, cut off by six lanes of shrieking traffic. A superb example of British nineteenth-century design, the UNESCO-listed building rivals St. Pancras station and pays homage to Notre Dame. The Victoria Terminus (which took ten years to complete) was opened in 1887, Queen Victoria's golden jubilee year, when it was also given her name. It sheltered the delicate wives and daughters of the Raj as they passed through its porticoes, in buttoned-up layers of silk and guipure, on their way to the cool refuge of a mountain hill station. Today's elegant Mumbaiker women use the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus for their daily commute. Gliding by in exotic embroidered saris, acres of fine gold, glittering embellishment, and precious jewellery, they mirror the elaborate finish of the walls and columns that hold up this masterpiece.
Mumbai CST Area, DN Road, Mumbai, India
Google map: bit.ly/KDbfoi
Mumbai is pretty theatrical itself, but I discovered the Prithvi when staying with a friend in the suburb of Juhu. It's a small but friendly theatre that offers a place of calm and respite away from the madness and sensory overload of Mumbai. It calls itself 'a vital breathing space' and this couldn't be more true!
www.prithvitheatre.org
20 Janki Kutir, Juhu Church Road, Mumbai 400 049
+91 (22) 26149546
Google map: bit.ly/oDxHUP
It's not the Taj, but it's spotless, comfortable, quiet (a blessing!) and very close to the airport. If you have an early morning flight, check in here the night before rather than drive to the airport for three hours on your last day. Good breakfast, too.
International Airport Approach Road, Marol, Andheri (E), Mumbai, 400 059
www.miragehotel.in
Google map: tinyurl.com/2vcduck
- Stay at the ITC Grand Central (although it's kind of removed) in the Towers. You can use Starwood points
- Check out the Ellora Caves on Elephanta Island
- Buy a Thailand Tatler
- Stop by Dhobi Ghat. Be prepared for some interactions
- See Haji Ali Dargah
- Go next door to the Mahalaxmi Temple (and bring socks)
- Shop at Bombay Electric if you want fashionable clothing and price is no object
- Lunch at Not Just Jazz by the Bay
- Enjoy evening cocktails on the deck of The Intercontinental
- Visit the Jain temple near Malabar Hill
Thailand Tatler:
www.thailandtatler.com/2010/03/index.html
ITC Grand Central:
www.starwoodhotels.com/luxury/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1540
Bombay Electric:
www.bombayelectric.in/
Not Just Jazz by the Bay:
www.mars-world.com/restaurants/jbb.html
Intercontinental Hotel
www.ichotelsgroup.com/
Information on many of the tourist spots is available on Wikipedia:
www.wikipedia.org
Green spaces, clean air, tranquility and not a sky scraper in sight - surely we're not talking about Mumbai (Bombay)?
Located in the northern end of the crowded, over-populated, polluted island city of Mumbai is the Sanjay Gandhi National Park. A 104 sq km island of greenery in the urban jungle. Instead of being harassed by street vendors you get monkeys chasing after you for a snack or spotted deer obstructing your path.
Deep within the park are the Kanheri Buddhists caves which were carved out by Buddhists monks between the 6th and 11th century AD. The near absence of visitors allows you to take your time and comfortably view the detailed rock carvings of Buddha.
You can easily find the national park and the caves in the northern suburb of Borivali - about 90 mins drive from south Mumbai or you can organise a private pick up and a tour with reality tours which'll cost you Rs 4000.
Sanjay Gandhi National Park is in the suburb or Borivali. Bombay's roads can be a minefield for visitors - take a taxi or even better take a private tour with Reality tourshttp://www.realitytoursandtravel.com/
Google map: tinyurl.com/y9vmesj
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