Holiday in Mumbai

Mumbai or Bombay mostly attracts the business traveler or people in transit either to catch a connecting international or domestic flight or midway to Goa. However for those who give Mumbai a chance, the city does not disappoint. Being very well connected by air, rail and road, getting to Mumbai is easy for more details refer to How to reach Mumbai. Mumbai also provides a variety of accommodation options from 5 star hotels to budget hotels and guesthouses.It is a sensible idea to make reservations in advance as Mumbai, being a financial and commercial hub, receives a large number of visitors every year. Once you reach and are settled in, begin your journey to explore the city that is Mumbai. Check out the Malabar Hills, the Hanging Gardens, the Prince of Wales Museum and the Gateway of India. For the mandatory shopping spree you must try Linking Road for footwear and bags, Colaba Causeway for trinkets and hippie gear, Fashion Street for the latest designs at rock bottom prices and Crawford Market to experience the sheer chaos of a meat, vegetable and fruit market. Don't miss Chor Bazaar or thieves market, where it is jokingly said that what you buy may have once been owned by you! Here you can find all sorts of stuff from electronics to porcelain, thought the authenticity is questionable.Mumbai offers a truly gastronomic experience because cuisines from all over the world may be found here. All the 5 star hotels offer great meals in their fabled restaurants some which have become legends over the years. New ventures like Olive offer world class Mediterranean cuisine and coffee bars like Mocha offer a wide range of coffees to make for a truly international coffee experience. However it is the lounge culture which is the most happening in Mumbai. Chateau Indage and Athena, two well-known lounge bars are a must visit.To digest your dinner take a stroll down Marine Drive. The promenade flanked by the crashing sea makes this one of the cooler and breezier parts of Mumbai, particularly late at night. For the religiously inclined, a visit to the Siddhi Vinayak Temple dedicated to the Elephant God-Ganesha and Haji Ali Mosque are your best bets. Most temples and mosques in India do not permit shoes inside their main premises so please remove them before venturing inside. It is also a good idea for the women to cover their heads merely as a mark of respect for local customs and traditions. Avoid giving money to the beggars around as this usually certifies you as an easy target and hundreds more will hound you.As such Mumbai offers an eclectic mix of the traditional and the modern and offers a unique vacation experience, which you will cherish for a lifetime.