Tag Archives: Maharashtra

Nashik – The Wine Capital Of India

General, Information, Travel Blog 5 Comments

I always say this line, Why travel the world when you have everything in India. I’m not against exploring the world. Obviously, aboard has its own scenic beauty and its own culture. But I feel you should explore “your” country first. I have visited only two destination. One is Thailand, of course that is the cheapest destination for me and the second one is Maldives. You can’t go swimming at any other beach if you have swim at Maldives beaches. Maldives has crystal clear water. But I can’t go to the Maldives every time. When I need a break, I can opt for Goa or any Konkan region. So this time, there was a short break and lockdown was also eased. And since, by god’s grace, I am fully vaccinated, we were welcome by all. And this time we were welcomed by the largest producer of grapes, Nashik.

Nashik, falls under Maharashtra and has mixed climate. The best season is from December to February. As it is winter there and also it’s the time for harvesting the grapes. Nashik is the only place in India where Wine is constructed. If you live in the same state, buying Wine in traveling is not an issue. But still why visit Nashik? We can get wine anywhere in Mumbai. Why is it so special in Nashik? 

As I said, Nashik is famous for grape cultivation. and hence there are many small restaurants inside that grape farm. One such restaurant is “Grape Embassy & Zatka Misal”. Located in fields of grapes, this place has a very positive vibe. Though, we didn’t go in grape season, and hence we missed that bunch of grapes hanging around. But Still, the feeling of eating under the grape farm was stupendous. In this restaurant, you get only “Misal Pav” (you can check the details of this dish here). But believe me, it was delectable Misal Pav. Like I said earlier, there were positive vibes and that positive vibes were reflecting in the food as well.  Apart from this, they have created a mini park with a kind-of toy train. Kids enjoyed every bit of it. Now; who doesn’t like to take selfies and photos in such places. Yes, they have created that space too. Have a look at this restaurant here. Now, There are few more such restaurants. One is just opposite to Sula Vineyards.


Grape Embassy & Zatka Misal, Image Courtesy @MakeTimeForThingsYouLove

The next destination spot is the MTDC Boating Club. Boating !! Uhh Boring, Right? So were my views too. But Believe me, if you don’t want to go boating, then this place has a neat and clean restaurant inside the club and has an almost 180 degree view of the sea. You have to pay an entry fee to enter their premises. But we had booked a boat ride from BookMyShow.com and hence our entry fee was waived off. Before visiting this place, do check BookMyShow.com for the offers or else it will be a little expensive. Do avoid going on weekends, because the rates are double at that time. They have other water sports too like Banana Ride, Jet Ski, Flying Fish and Boat Ride (normal and luxurious). If you don’t want the boat ride then pay the entry fee, buy yourself a cup of tea or coffee, and enjoy your evening with the scenic beauty.


MTDC Boat Club, Image Courtesy @MakeTimeForThingsYouLove

Nashik, and  you didn’t go to Sula Vineyards? Oh well, waste of money. But now, there is one more. Not as big as Sula Vineyards, but yes, you can enjoy wine tour and wine tasting there as well. This place is called “York” and it is ahead of the Sula Vineyard. In this tour, they will explain how wine is made, what’s the difference between the wines, etc. But now, this place is now under Sula. Sula has a huge crowd. Yes, of course for wine tasting and clicking pics. But to avoid that crowd, you can opt for York and then go to Sula for a photo session and for some munching. Obviously, the look around in Sula is much better than in York. In both Sula n York, you have an entry fee, but it gets redeemed if you eat in their restaurant.


Sula Vineyards, Image Courtesy @MakeTimeForThingsYouLove

Apart from this, Nashik has various holy places. One of the places is Triveni Sangam. Where three rivers meet. This is the place where the famous Kumbh Mela takes place every 12 years.


York, Image Courtesy @MakeTimeForThingsYouLove

Nashik is highly recommended for Family trips. Don’t be shy to take your elders to Sula n York, they will enjoy the place. So, pack your bags and get-set-go.

dreamSkitchen – Where Spice Powder Meets Flavours.

General, Information, Knowledge 8 Comments

Spices and Spicy food, that’s the specialty of India. We Indians, if we go aboard, we miss our home town food very badly. Now even Tom Cruise can’t resist Chicken Tikka Masala. That’s the strength of Indian food. Spicy yet delectable. India has varieties of spices. People from abroad do come here to invest in spice plantations. Majorly, they invest in South India because all major spices and coffee are cultivated there. What if I tell you that you will get freshly Ground Masalas at your doorstep. Yes, You read it right. Superior spices travel all the way from Kerala, Andhra, Telengana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to Pune (Maharashtra) and then it is freshly ground as per your request and delivered at your doorstep.

If you are staying in Pune and belong to the Viman Nagar area, then you would have surely heard about dreamSkitchen. dreamSkitchen is a small venture, supervised by Swapna Manoharan. This is a place where you will get all types of Ground Masalas. Swapna, originated from Chennai and she is knowledgeable about spices. She is a great cook and hence she understands how Indian food should taste and hence she gives her best in ordering the premier spice not only from South India, but also from Sri Lanka. She commands the finest Cinnamon rolls, Black tea and Forest Honey from Sri Lanka. What are you waiting for? grab your mobile and start ordering from here.

You can even order on her WhatsApp number. But delivery is currently pan India. +91-9665003623. Follow her on Instagram as well.

In India, Honey came in the news for bad reasons. The Business of honey went down because the maximum branded company cheated the customer. But dreamSkitchen’s Honey is a big Hit. She has all certificate which proves that she has the best quality of honey. Not only that, she has a diverse range of honey. Right from Ginger Honey till Sidrberry Honey. Swapna has a proper explanation of each and every honey and its use. So you don’t have to worry about buying honey from her.

If you are a non veg lover, then you can go for Tandoori Chicken Masala, Grill Chicken Masala, Prawns Fry Masala, Mutton Curry Masala and more. You don’t need a silver fork to eat good food. People who love to eat are always the best people. So, dreamSkitchen is best for our cuisine. Do check the testimonials.

testimonials

Eat well.. Sleep well.. May god’s child don’t sleep hungry tonight.

The Incredible Independent India

General, Travel Blog 9 Comments

15 August, 1947, though I was not born in that year, I haven’t seen the victory of magnificent India. Yet I can feel happiness when I read it in history or on the internet. The actual feeling comes out when someone has witnessed those days.  and you actually feel that you too belong to those days. I still remember, when my uncle who belonged to those days, narrated his story, of how they used to play the dangerous hide-and-seek games with Britishers and how they actually celebrated the victory. After hearing his story, I went to my friends and narrated this story as if I was present in those days. 

20180815_165627

India Flag, Dukes Retreat Resort, Khandala

In these internet days, we all get information on Independence day and hence will not copy-paste those contents here. I want you all to visit India and also experience their culture. Here are some wonderful photos of magnificent India. Well, I haven’t seen all of India, But here are some of my collections. Let’s start with  the place I belong to.

Mumbai.
Mumbai has some pretty places like Sanjay Gandhi National Park where you can go for a morning walk. It has a mini train ride and boating too. So pack your bag, full of snacks and go for a picnic. Mumbai also has Marine Drive, Gateway Of India, Juhu beach. Infact Mumbai is a mini Goa. Beaches, parties and shopping.

20170715_180951 (1)

Worli Sea Face

Pune.
Pune has a lot of places to visit. Best season to visit is during the monsoon and winter season. Pune is Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s birthplace. And hence has many historic places to visit. Sinhagad Fort, Lohagad Fort, Shivneri Fort. Please visit these forts, not only for scenic beauty but also to acquire information on these legends. It is worth listening to.

IMG-20170617-WA0008

Sinhagad Fort

Panchgani, Mahabaleshwar:
Another hill station in Maharashtra, to visit during monsoon and winter. These places are adjacent to each other and have many scenic beauty points including Pratapgad Fort

Matheran:
Matheran is near Mumbai and Pune. This place is situated in forests and has a very beautiful scenery. You can either walk or take a horse ride. Vehicles are not allowed here.

Dapoli:
Maharashtra has this konkan region. And in this konkan region, there are many places like Dapoli, Ganapatipule, Diveagar, Harihareshwar, etc. Best to visit during monsoon season. And this place is again full of beaches and temples.

IMG_20140815_164955313-PANO

Dapoli

Goa.
The only place in India where tourists want to relax. Goa has more beaches and parties. But Goa has various temples too. Visit South Goa now, If you are almost a regular visitor. And Don’t Forget The Incredible DudhSagar Waterfall.

Mahalakshmi Temple

Mahalaxmi Temple, Ponda

Leh Ladakh:
No words to express the beauty of this place. The extremely most beautiful place in the whole world. This place is so beautiful that adjacent countries want to capture this place. Though a risky place to visit because of political issues but Indian military and the local people help a lot to make this place a tourist attraction.

IMG-20160602-WA0001

Pangong Tso

Lachung, Gangtok, Sikkim, Darjeeling:
If you are visiting north-east India, Don’t forget to visit Lachung. It is the most mesmerizing place with Zero Point and Yumthang Valley. This place is listed in zero-plastic zone and high military zone. Do keep this place in your bucket list followed by other north east states like Gangtok, Sikkim, Darjeeling.

Zero Point, Lachung

Zero Point, Lachung

 

Mount Abu:
Situated in Rajasthan, Mount Abu is a hill station. Here the Brahma Kumaris Meditation Center is a must visit for relaxation.

Ooty, Kodaikanal:
The land of Flowers. Visit this tea plantation place during monsoon and winter. The place is full of tea plantations and pine tree forest and also very big open lawns. If you visit here, then make sure to take a toy train ride that takes you through the Nilgiri mountains.

Kerala:
Kerala is known as God’s own country. This place has many small hill stations like Munnar, Thekkady with their tea and spices plantation.

DSCF1083

Kerala, Kalathil lake Resort, Kumarakom. 

There are many, many many places in India. If I keep listing all, then the post will be too long. Please make a proper plan to visit India. Because there are many places in one state itself. They say that it will take you a lifetime to see each and every corner of India. Yet you will leave behind something. India is not only about historic places but also about spirituality. You will find inner peace when you visit places like Kedarnath, Rishikesh. Mine is yet to visit. 

Happy Independence day to all.. Jai Hind..  Bharat Mata Ki Jai… Vande Mataram