Top Places to Visit in Pondicherry

Call it Pondicherry, Puducherry, or as locals like to call it, Pondi, this gorgeous town in Tamil Nadu is like paradise to those with old-world and vintage sensibilities. It's an especially lovely place to visit if French food and culture is something you adore. Pondicherry was a French colony for several years and still reflects a quaint French aura that is hard to miss. The architecture, restaurants, cafés, streets – everything resonate with a French vibe so charming that you feel like you've been transported to another era. Pondicherry has recently become one of the most-visited and loved holiday destinations in India. This monsoon, plan a trip to this southern town and experience a little joie de vivre! Browse through the countless grand hotels in Pondicherry on Travelguru and book one that will ensure you a wonderful holiday. Here are the top places to visit in Pondicherry for the first-timers!

Auroville

This pretty township also means The City of Dawn. Founded in 1968, Auroville was designed by French architect Roger Anger. The basic tenet behind creating Auroville was that people of all races, religions, castes and creeds could live together in peace and harmony. What is amazing is today Auroville is home to over 2000 people from over 40 different countries.

Promenade beach

One of the major beaches of Pondicherry, Promenade beach features many landmarks like the Heritage Town Hall, a statue of Joan of Arc, a statue of Mahatma Gandhi, etc. It's a quiet and serene beach away from the noise and pollution of the city.

Pondicherry Museum

Pondicherry Museum is filled with antiques and artefacts that will throw light on the French history and culture prevalent in Pondi. Statues and structures belonging to the Pallava and Chola dynasties can also be found here.

So, the next time you want to book a hotel in Pondi, make sure you book one of the charming hotels in Pondicherry through Travelguru well in advance!  

Top 3 Places to Visit in Mahabaleshwar

Located in Satara, Maharashtra, Mahabaleshwar is one of the most-visited and loved holiday destinations in India. This hill station is best visited during the winter and monsoon months, when the atmosphere up there becomes cool and pleasing. Just a short distance away from Mumbai, Mahabaleshwar is known for its scenic beauty, pleasant climate, delicious fruit jams and chikkis. There's a lot to be seen in and around Mahabaleshwar so rest assured as your trip here will be enjoyable and relaxing. You will also find a wide range of nice hotels in Mahabaleshwar ranging from budget to luxury hotels. So, why not plan a trip to this gorgeous hill station this monsoon and enjoy the lush surroundings? Here are the top 3 places to visit in Mahabaleshwar

Old Mahabaleshwar

Located about 20 km from the main hill station, Old Mahabaleshwar is a picturesque spot that is popular for trekking and hiking. This is also where the famous Shiva temple is situated, just at the source of the five rivers that flow all year round.

Pratapgarh fort

Founded by Shivaji Maharaj, the Pratapgarh fort stands testament to the Marathi history, culture and heritage in the region. This fort was built to celebrate the victory of Shivaji against Afzal Khan. This is a must-visit place for those with a sense of adventure and love of history.

Pratap garden

A tribute to Maharana Pratap, this garden is a lovely place to spend some time in relative peace and quiet. It's a beautiful space with colourful and exotic species of flowers, and all the civic facilities and is situated in one of the most charming locales of Mahabaleshwar, i.e. Peth.

So, will you be visiting Mahabaleshwar this rainy season? Check out the range of Mahabaleshwar hotels online on Travelguru and choose one that suits all your travel needs!

Top 3 Restaurants in Pune

Pune is the latest up and coming hub for education, employment and entertainment. Situated really close to the city of dreams, Mumbai, Pune is the next best thing for people who tire easily of the chaotic city life. That's not to say that Pune isn't chaotic, it is. But it much more calm and easy-going as compared to Mumbai. Pune has seen a lot of commercial progress in recent times. There are countless malls, restaurants, cafés, lounges, cinema halls that people throng to on, especially on weekends. Not to mention the tons of concerts and events that keep taking place in the city, like the annual NH7 Weekender, an indie music festival that is attended by innumerable music fans from across the world.

Pune is also known for its authentic Maharashtrian cuisine, which is loved by all. There are several lovely places where you can try out this cuisine in Pune. If you are planning a trip to this city any time soon, you will find many great hotels in Pune that offer the best in comfort and convenience. Check out the top 3 restaurants in Pune and start planning your itinerary!

Shabree, FC Road

Ferguson College Road, aka FC, is one of the most youthful and popular locales of Pune. It is home to a lot many charming restaurants and cafés that offer delicious food and beverages all day long. Shabree is one such restaurant that serves sumptuous and authentic Maharashtrian fare. Visit this place for its mouth-watering thalipeeth with dahi, or simply the complete Maharashtrian thali for a taste of everything Marathi.

Vaishali, FC Road

Another gem in the area is Vaishali, one of the favouritest dining places for Punekars. Vaishali is quite an old establishment dating back at least 50 years and still serves some of the best food in the city. But do keep in mind that this restaurant can be a little crowded as countless people head out there for a nice meal, so be prepared to wait a while till you can get a table. Dishes like Mysore Masala Dosa and Dahi Vada are two of the most popular dishes here.

German Bakery, Koregaon Park

Everyone knows about the German Bakery as the place the firangs head out to for a taste of Germany. This was also the place that was bombed in a terrorist attack a few years back but it still stands strong and has a richer history as a result. Featuring a quirky and arty décor, the German Bakery is one of the best places to chill out on a lazy weekend. Try out their red velvet cake, kheema pav and jerk chicken for a taste of the best!

Have you been to any of these places before? If you are looking for accommodation in Pune, check out the detailed list of Pune hotels on Travelguru!

Top 3 Places to Visit in Darjeeling

Darjeeling is the go-to holiday destination for countless Indians during summer season. This quaint hill-station in West Bengal has everything you need in the sweltering heat – fresh, cool air, lovely views and lots of peaceful downtime. Known for its luxuriant tea plantations Darjeeling is nestled in the lower Himalayas and offer picturesque views of the surrounding region. Developed in the mid-19^th century by the British, Darjeeling was first under the control of the kingdom of Sikkim later to be controlled by the Gorkhas, ultimately to be taken by the British. If you are planning a visit to Darjeeling this summer, make sure you book one of the charming hotels in Darjeeling through Travelguru's summer hotel sale and get flat 40% off on Darjeeling hotels. Check out the top 3 places to visit in Darjeeling and start planning your trip right away!

Singalila National Park

The Singalila National Park is located high up in West Bengal and is a true delight for nature and wildlife lovers. Sightings of animals like red panda, leopard, barking deer, wild boar and countless more. This national park is also great for its trekking trails, so do put it down in your must-visit list!

Observatory Hill

Situated on Chowrarasta Square Observatory Hill is the perfect place to take in the entire hill-station at once. It's one of the major tourist attractions in Darjeeling and is known for its majestic views of the Kangchenzonga. There is also an ancient Shiva temple there, which would interest the spiritually inclined.

Batasia Loop

Batasia Loop is known for its Gorkha War Memorial and can be reached on the toy train that is so famous in Darjeeling. There is also a crafts market nearby where you can pick up some souvenirs to take back home.

So the next time you are planning a trip to Darjeeling, make sure you book one of the nice Darjeeling hotels through the summer hotel sale!

Top 3 Beaches To Visit in Daman

There's no other holiday destination as dear to beach bums as a nice beach. For most of the beach bums in India, Goa has always been the go-to place during vacations and weekend breaks. But sometimes, its a good idea to change your holiday destination to another beach land, like Daman. Featuring some really nice beaches, Daman is fast becoming a preferred holiday destination for many in India. You will find tons of great hotels in Daman that offer world-class hospitality. If you are looking to save some money on accommodation, Travelguru's summer hotel sale should help you out with flat 40% off on Daman hotels. Check out the top 3 beaches to visit in Daman and start planning your beach holiday now!

Nagoa beach

Nagoa beach is a nice, white sand beach that is quite possibly the best beach to visit in Daman. This beach is cleaner, quieter and much more pretty than any of the other beaches. You will be delighted to find a few options in water sports as well here.

Devka beach

Devka beach is one of the most popular beaches in Daman. Its a rocky beach that isn't very suitable for swimming, but is quite enjoyable if you just want to stroll around or play beach games. There are also several nice food stalls that serve delicious fast food.

Jampore beach

Jampore beach is a gorgeous beach that is suitable for swimming and playing in the water. This beach is usually not very crowded and one can spend some peaceful time here with family and friends. Sunsets here are spectacular and make for wonderful photographs.

So, when are you planning to visit Daman? Check out Travelguru's summer hotel sale that offers 40% off on hotels in Daman and start planning your trip now!

Top 3 Places to Visit in Mussoorie

Mussoorie is a lovely little hill-station in Uttarakhand, one that sees a lot of visitors day in and day out for its charming surroundings and fresh air. Mussoorie comes to life especially during summer when holiday-makers from the rest of India head out on their summer vacations looking for cooler climes. Popular as the “Queen of the Hills”, Mussoorie lies near the foothills of the Garhwal Himalayas. You will find tons of great hotels in Mussoorie that offer excellent hospitality and service quality. To save up to 40% on your hotel booking, take advantage of the Travelguru summer hotel sale! Here are the top 3 places to visit in Mussoorie for an enjoyable holiday

Lal Tibba

Lal Tibba is the name of the highest peak in Mussoorie that stands 2,290 metres tall. On a good day, you will be able to see the mountains that are home to the holy shrines of Kedarnath and Badrinath. There's also a telescope installed up at the peak so visitors can see the breath-taking views better.

Kempty falls

Surrounded by mountains, Kempty falls cascades down over a bed of rocks and looks extremely pleasing especially when the sun's rays hits the water. It's a great spot to just relax at with your loved ones and click some really awesome photos!

Mussoorie lake

The perfect picnic spot in Mussoorie is the Mussoorie lake which was recently developed by the city board. After a hectic day of sightseeing, you could just retire to this spot and unwind amid the pretty surroundings.

The next time you are planning a trip to Mussoorie, make sure you check out the comprehensive list of the best hotels in Mussoorie on Travelguru. Also, check out Travelguru's summer hotel sale for tons of great deals and discounts on Mussoorie hotels and hotels in India!

Top 3 Beaches to Explore in Havelock Islands

Granted you are a beach bum and a beach vacation is all you need to unwind, but do you know the best beaches to explore in Havelock? Wouldn't it be a shame if you visited every beach in the area but not the best ones? Don't you worry, we've got you covered! No one knows beaches like we do! We've rounded off the top 3 beaches in Havelock that you simply cannot miss! These beaches are the best thing about the area, with pristine stretches of sand till your eyes can see and unending, glittering sea-water. If you are planning a visit here this summer, we also have some of the best Havelock Island hotels that will make you feel right at home. Not to mention Travelguru's summer hotel sale that offers flat 40% off on hotels in India. But first, check out these gorgeous beaches!

Radhanagar beach

Ranked as the number one beach in Asia in 2004, Radhanagar beach is known for its calm blue waters and crystalline sand. While here, make sure you try your hand at snorkelling, you will get some of the best views of coral reefs and colourful aquatic life!

Kalapathar beach

Pretty secluded and private, Kalapathar beach is a beautiful beach for those looking for some peace and quiet. Picturesque with black rocks dotting the sea, this beach is a great spot for picnics and photo-ops with your loved ones.

Elephant beach

Popular for its stunning corals, Elephant beach is still a great place to visit despite being hit by the Tsunami. You can experiment with diving and snorkelling in its shimmering waters or simply relax with a book in hand.

Have you ever been to the Havelock Islands? How was your experience? If you haven't but want to, check out Travelguru's list of the best Havelock Island hotels, or alternatively, the wonderful summer hotel sale!