Bangalore Travel Tips: What to Do and Where to Go
Bangalore’s nickname “Garden City” comes from the city’s numerous public parks and gardens. One such garden is Cubbon Park, situated right in the center of Bangalore, a vast green stretch of land. Around 300 acres of lush foliage is yours to explore as you take a step away from the buzzing city and spend some time with nature. Several bird species can be spotted at the park, but this is a tree-lover's paradise with over 6,000 varieties. But there are things that you can do in Bangalore besides appreciating its natural beauty. And below are some tips on what to do and where to go in Bangalore.
If you’re heading out of the city for just a day, why not make it indulgent? Take a tour of Indian grapemaker Grover’s Vineyards in Nandi Hills in Karnataka, just a short drive out of the city, and learn about the art of viticulture. Spread over 400 acres, the first sight of the vineyards is balm for the soul as the rolling landscape stretches, endless and green. Guided tours start at 10.30am every day and last about five hours, including lunch and a grape tasting. There’s no accommodation on-site so when you’ve had your fill, return to Bangalore for the night. About 40km from Bangalore. Located in JP Nagar, Ranga Shankara is one of the most respected performing arts institutions in the country, with some high profile performances scheduled year-round. The Stage hosts a play a day (except when it’s closed on Mondays) and you can be assured of fine theatre no matter when you show up. Look out for the annual theatre festival which begins on October 27 this year. So go ahead and catch a play. WHERE TO SHOP Pudu. Shirts and accessories from Pudu are all the rage in India, and its store in Bangalore is located in Indiranagar. The brand was created by Australian-India brothers Michael and Andrew Piers, and the colorful shirts in breathable fabrics, named after destinations around the world such as Milan and Amalfi, have become the item to own this season. Chumbak. Take back a bit of India from this one-of-a-kind store that first started selling India-themed fridge magnets. The Chumbak store in Koramangala has expanded to sell everything from mobile phone covers to colorful T-shirts in crazy Indian prints.
WHERE TO STAY The Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore. One of the newest and most luxurious hotels in town, the country’s only RitzCarlton is home to the fabulous Asian restaurant The Lantern as well as the 17,000sqft, sumptuous Ritz Spa. There’s no better place in town for a decadent stay. ITC Gardenia. A stone’s throw from The Ritz-Carlton is the beautiful ITC Gardenia, which first introduced the concept of vertical gardens when it opened a few years ago. A charming open space that is certified eco-friendly, the hotel houses popular Japanese restaurant Edo as well as a swanky bar. Escape. This small boutique hotel in Indiranagar is artsy and designed to resemble a quaint English home. Everything about it is chic and bespoke, from the notebook in your room to Ally Matthan toiletries in the bathroom. The perfect mix of style and comfort, plus Bricklane Grill is a great restaurant serving Parsi and modern Indian cuisine, making this an experience to savor. More travel Tips and destinations at Vacation-Now