Blog on Travel Information

Not your typical pizzeria, Pizza and Curry offers food inspired by the fusion of Italian and Indian cuisines. My first reaction upon hearing about this pizza joint was bewilderment, a…

This is my new favourite second-hand bookshop in London and one that I can’t wait to visit again. Archive Bookstore, located just off Edgware Road, is a treasure chest of…

The Wild at Heart florist can be found at the main entrance to Liberty, one of London’s best-known luxury department stores. Located on Great Marlborough Street, Wild at Heart boasts…

I have to admit, the entire mystique built up around New Orleans leaves me a little cold. I’ve seen The Big Easy, I’ve eaten at some Cajun restaurants, but ultimately…

The most popular tourist attraction in England, the Tower of London dates back to 1066. Initially built as a royal residence, the Tower has subsequently been used for various purposes…

Not that long ago, what is now the Paradox Hotel, in Santa Cruz, was, to put it sort of gently, a dump called the University Inn and Conference Center. Described…

Whenever I look at this building, it tells me to rise, rise in admiration of the vision and the work which went into creation of this icon of the United…

The Red Rabbit is a trendy spot in Midtown Sacramento, popular among twenty- and thirty somethings looking for fun and a fancy drink. This place had been recommended by a…

This little jewellery shop is nestled along a narrow cobbled side street near London’s bustling Leicester Square. Christopher St James is a fabulously glamorous shop that stocks original designs and…

Dinner at Shadowbrook, in Capitola, is not an undertaking to be, uh, undertaken lightly. It’s a big deal – expensive, sprawling, and really, really good. It is going to take…

On the hunt for a new Thai restaurant, I came across Green Champa Garden, which categorizes itself as a Thai and Laotian restaurant. Laotian food is new to me, but…

You are going to NYC? Wow! Don’t come back without going to The Plaza food Hall opposite Central Park, it is amazing.” With a sell like this there was no…

Though it lies in ruins, the Ramesseum is a magnificent example of the scale, not to mention the flamboyance, of the power and awe that some of ancient Egypt’s pharaohs…

A couple of years ago, through some finagling, I got to take a first-class flight on Singapore Airlines from Singapore to San Francisco. This flight, in this service class, on…

If you enter New Zealand on a Visitor’s Permit and you have a current international driving permit, or you have a current driver’s license issued in a country other than…

A walk down Brick Lane always reminds me how much I love London. For centuries, the area has been home to new waves of immigrants be it the Irish and…

My eye saw the Apple logo first. Sorry, but that is what I saw and composed this picture. I was 9 ft above the ground on this sightseeing bus and…

If you’re looking for a holiday experience that combines Egypt’s vast and glorious history with relaxation, then the Oberoi Zahra Luxury Nile Cruise is for you. Most cruises on the…

Here I was, back on a Gray Line bus for the second time in my life. This bus ride of mine had a defined purpose and the purpose was to…

When most people think of the sites and marvels of ancient Egypt, the Great Pyramid, the Sphinx and the temples of Luxor come to mind, but there’s one that’s off…

While it may not compare to the large collection at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, the Luxor Museum of Ancient Egyptian Art still boasts an impressive collection of artifacts dating…

Gabriel’s Wharf is a popular riverside marketplace located between Oxo Tower Wharf and London Television Centre. I discovered it when on a walk down South Bank, a top destination in…

Stonehenge is one of UK’s most significant antediluvian monuments. Many tourists who come to visit London also make it a point to visit Stonehenge as part of their UK package.…

This is a treasure chest of a shop! Mamlouk is crammed with authentic Egyptian arts and crafts. From paintings and ceramics to handicrafts made out of wood and glass, if…

  London is a big city and sometimes the hustle and bustle, along with the British stiff upper lip, can make you lose the sense of community. Using installations, exhibitions…

London is one of the oldest cities in the world boasting of a rich historical and cultural heritage. Every street, every alley in London bears witness to the historical past…

Right across Bond Street station and in between H&M and Intissimi on Oxford Street is a narrow alleyway leading to St Christopher’s Place, home to a smattering of boutiques and…

As far as shopping is concerned, London shopping markets ranks along with Paris and New York; it is a heaven for the shopper. Shopping in london is all inclusive; you…

An iconic landmark in London, the London Eye is a giant Ferris wheel which gives visitors an aerial view of London from a staggering height of 135 meters. A recent…

The London Underground, popularly called The Tube, is the first underground rail network in the world and is one of the best ways of exploring the sights and sounds of…

World War II Sites in Singapore serve as brilliant reminders of the saga of World War II, when thousands of soldiers lost their lives. These sites remind us of the…

London Bridge connects London with Southwark and is an important bridge on Thames River that is also an important destination for millions of tourists visiting London. It also houses the…

  Ranking San Francisco’s best seems like an impossible challenge. This well loved city has some of the world’s most iconic attractions that first-time visitors just can’t miss. Still, you…

When San Francisco offers one of its rare clear, sunny, and warm days, you have little choice but to make the most of it. With baseball games and the America’s…

Digger’s Diner is a casual restaurant that serves old-fashioned, classic American food, including classic burgers, as well as some dishes that are hard to find today, like patty melts, reubens,…

Oxford Street is Europe’s busiest shopping high street. Running from Marble Arch to the beginning of Tottenham Court Road, it can at the best of times be extremely crowded and…

New York is what you see it as, it is definitely not what you see at first glance. It takes your own perspective to decode the city for you. It…

If for whatever reason you’re only able to do one thing in Luxor, make sure it is the Temple of Luxor! The Temple of Luxor is a vast and sprawling…

NYC announces itself, and the way in which it announces itself leaves you with only two choices – 1. Become Extra large 2. Go to a shrink and get treated…

The Blackfriar is a great example of the traditional English pub. Located on Queen Victoria Street, right next to Blackfriars tube station in the heart of the City of London,…

The Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut celebrates the life of a woman that Egyptologists hail as the first female pharoah. Her temple, known as Djeser-Djeseru (Splendor of Splendors), sits at the heart of…

Dubai, the beautiful city lying in the Arabian Peninsula glowing with a landscape of white sands and stunning architecture casts magic on the people visiting it. Dubai carries the whiffs…

  The Temple of Hathor is located in the village of Dendera, some 40 miles north of Luxor on the west bank of the Nile. Though its architecture is typical…

Kabuki is a small and inexpensive Japanese restaurant in Fremont, a real Mom and Pop restaurant, run by a Japanese couple. It’s not glamorous or fancy, but it’s clear that…

Lots of sky, lots of fresh air, lots of activity and yet the city is very orderly. Yes, “orderly” is the word I will prefer to use for the city…

There were no worshipers having their Sundaes when I passed by, but that was not to be a deterrent for me. I was not hungry, I had resolved not to…

I had seen and participated in walking tours, trekking tours, cycling tours, bus tours and train tours but never had a chance of looking/ participating in a real running/ jogging…

What was the inspiration behind the Coat Hanger – the Sydney Harbor Bridge? What inspired its design?  I saw this bridge up close, absorbed its design and headed back home.…

Do you know why this guy is smiling? I know, it is pride in his work which gets that smile. Just 100 meters from Circular Quay was this The Rocks…

Red Chili is a Thai and Vietnamese restaurant in Hayward. Though that might suggest a fusion of the two types of food, it was more like a restaurant that served…

Virgin Australia Delayed Flights – For a frequent flyer, this board is a no no. For others, a tourist attraction. As everyone crowds around to see it, you realize how…

I have had 18 meals in Sydney so far and the prize for the best meal goes to this awesome pizza. In my discovery of the Opera House, I discovered…

[nivoslider id=”16036″] It is not an easy task to zero down top 10 things to do in Sydney, 4-5 things would come on each list, but beyond that it really depends…

He stands tall, above all who follow him, exactly the way children followed the Pied Piper of Hamelin out of their town. Instead of the pipe, he has passion and…

I spent the first part of my adult life living in South Philadelphia. South Philly is a somewhat rundown part of the city that once was solidly – like, completely…

Cathay Pacific earned more brownie points from me than what I earned from my Marco Polo Club flying with them. It was a delight to see an Indian vegetarian option…

Are you a wave rider? I am not. After watching these guys and girls, I am sure I want to be one. I want to walk barefoot from an apartment…

1,2,3,4,5 – It was that simple.  The limited special offers probably made me walk in. Unless of course I was already sold on such a picturesque dining option. With options…

Hey, they brought the waves inside! This exactly was my expression when I stood at level 2 of the Sydney Opera House and looked down. A brilliantly designed area outside…

Sydney Fish Market is a well known entity in Sydney. When you talk about it to any Sydneysider they would vouch for it and many make it a point to…

Quick Review: Restaurant? Grill’d at CBD World Square, 644 George Street, Sydney, NSW, Australia. What? Tuscan Delight Chicken Burger How Much? Australian $ 16.7 (12.5+3.5+.7) Fries? They saved the meal,…

Creek Dubai is a water inlet that runs through the center of Dubai and breaks it into two halves, on the west Bur Dubai and to the east Deira. The…

Quick Review: Restaurant? J & D Gourmet Food Bar, 9 Hay St  Sydney, Australia What? Omelet with mushrooms, olives and sun-dried tomatoes How Much? Australian $ 9.50 Omelet? Yes, they call…

One of the fascinating things about review restaurants is that along with being a place to eat, a restaurant is also a business. It has a number of different moving…

Tourism in Dubai – Dubai is a city which offers sensational extravaganza in every form. Dubai – with its magical but mysterious landscape of deserts, rugged mountains and the lovely Creek…

One of the prettiest destinations of the world, Singapore, in all its beauty and glory, is a sure shot place for vacationing. A holiday here can unfold a deep sense…

The small Egyptian town of Edfu has one of the best-preserved temples in the country: the Temple of Edfu, which is dedicated to the falcon headed god, Horus. It was…

The London Borough of Greenwich was created way back in 1965 by amalgamating the boroughs of Woolwich and Greenwich. The Greenwich area is known for its wealth of historical edifices…

The mammoth monuments that are the temples of Abu Simbel were hidden to the world until Johan Ludwig Burckhardt came across the site in 1813 and discovered a portion of…

The Valley of the Kings, also known as the Valley of the Tombs of the Kings, sits just west of the Nile River in Upper Egypt. It was part of…

Canopy Restaurant at Sydney – Quick Review: Restaurant? Canopy on Hyde, 157 Liverpool Street, Sydney, NSW, Australia. What? Pan-fried Mirror Dory, Pomme  Puree, Curry Butter, Chervil. How Much? Australian $…

The Great Pyramid of Giza is the only structure on the list of Ancient Wonders of the World that to this day is still pretty much all intact. It is…

If you have been to Circular Quay you can say you have been to Sydney. This is where the city identifies itself, its distinct tourist identity stands over and above…

Heritage doesn’t speak for itself. People are expected to speak and standup for preserving the heritage in their city, region and country, to say the least. Here we see a…

This part is easy. As far as I can tell, Soif is the best restaurant in Santa Cruz. I may be wrong – there may be others I haven’t discovered…

Some of the best authentic Mexican food is found in the strangest of places around here. It’s not unheard of to find great home-style Mexican food served in the back…

Airport is quick Immigration is friendly Custom is not a  hassle Locating a taxi stand can be a headache Taxis overcharge and taxi drivers do play games Exit from airport…

The Santa Cruz Harbor is home to several hundred boats – everything from stand-up paddleboats to the Chardonnay  to every kind of boat in between. Particularly in the summer, it’s…

The Great Sphinx of Giza is colossal! Once you see it with your own eyes, it’s easy to see why it’s a national symbol of Egypt, both ancient and modern.…

Wandsworth Park is a park in London’s Putney district. It’s a Grade II listed park, meaning that it comes under the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens in England. The…

It may be smaller than some of Europe’s other national galleries but the diverse collection at London’s National Gallery certainly makes up for its size. Located off Trafalgar Square, the…

If you are in Dubai, you just can’t forget to visit Grand Mosque. Grand Mosque is located at the Bur Side of Dubai Creek that offers the tranquil atmosphere of…

London’s Carnaby Street is one of those rarities around the capital’s bustling Oxford Street as it offers a little calm for those seeking to get away from the crowds and…

Bangkok is also known as ‘Krung Thep’ meaning ‘the City of Angels’. Established as the capital of Thailand by King Rama I in 1782, Bangkok is the largest city in…

With over 55 million passenger entry and exits every year, Liverpool Street station is one of the UK’s busiest railway stations. It is a central London railway terminus and a…

Tate Modern Gallery, London is UK’s national gallery of contemporary art. Located in London, the  Tate Modern Art Gallery is one among the chain of four Tate galleries in the…

Tate Britain is one among the Tate’s chain of art galleries in the U.K. Tate Britain is strategically located at Millbank, London. It boasts of a fine collection of British…

We Will Rock You is one of the West End’s most popular musicals and based on the songs of legendary rock band Queen and a book written by Ben Elton.…

As it the name implies, Hatta Village is an artificial mountain village in Dubai which has been set up with a purpose of promoting tourism in that specific area. Hatta…

Wild Wadi Waterpark is a theme-based water park situated in the city of Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) which is built taking an area of around 12 acres. The exotic…

I hardly know where to begin to review the Paradise Beach Grille, in Capitola. To say that it was bad is an understatement. It was bad in a way that’s…

The Dragon Mart of Dubai is considered as one of the major tourist attractions in Dubai because tourists love to spend time shopping for various trinkets. Dubai Dragon Mart attracts…

This gem of a bookshop was established and is run by Peter Ellis, a former partner in the well-known Bloomsbury firm of rare booksellers, Ulysses. The shop is located in…

The Jumeirah Mosque is among the dominating landmarks in the city of Dubai. The building of this mosque has been built in the medieval Fatimid traditional style. The entire structure…

It was the name and the logo that got me first. Spanky’s Dog House – the logo of a cartoon hotdog wearing a spiked collar. How could I pass that…

Known for its Golden Mount (Golden Chedi), Wat Saket is one of the most popular landmarks of Bangkok. King Rama III started the construction of Wat Saket that was later…

A local establishment that’s been run by the same family for over 20 years, Mission Pizza is a surprising spot, not just for food, but entertainment, too. In all those…

There’s a certain mystique attached to the California beach restaurant. A lot of the myth about California is attached to the beach scene, and places right on the water almost…

There is a lot – I mean, a LOT – of mediocre Middle Eastern food out there. Here’s your hummus, here’s you falafel, here’s your pita, thanks a lot, pal.…

The Palm Islands are sometimes referred to as the Palm Dubai or the Palms. This is basically the cluster of world’s three largest man-made islands that are built on the…

If you are in a mood of spotting animals at night, then Singapore Night Safari is the way to go. Tours to Singapore are incomplete without indulging in Singapore Night…

With a historic Pride Festival going on and quite possibly the best weather the city has ever seen in June, what better place to spend this Sunday than San Francisco.…

Akira is not the place to go in Santa Cruz if you are either a) in a hurry; or b) hard of hearing. Otherwise, it’s fine. The restaurant is located…

If you miss visiting the Crocodile Farm during your tour to Bangkok, you miss half the fun. Founded in 1950, the Crocodile Farm in Bangkok is an abode to more…

The British Museum was established way back in the year 1753 and today it boasts of one of the finest collections of human history and culture. Whether it is the…

Want to have a memorable experience during your tour to Singapore? Then do plan a visit to the beautiful Butterfly Park, Singapore. Having more than 50 species of butterflies, Butterfly…

If you’re going through an Italian food phase, you’re in luck. After all, Italian restaurants are known for their elegance and make perfect venues for social gatherings and birthday dinners…

As the name suggests, the Royal Barges houses a rich collection of barges (boats). Don’t miss the golden opportunity of visiting the Royal Barges Museum during your tour to Bangkok.…

The Victoria and Albert Museum is Britain’s national museum of applied arts and design. The goal of this prestigious museum is to enable the young and old alike to explore…

Le Moose Crepe Cafe offers what sounds like a bizarre blend: Thai food and French crepes. This strange mixture of cuisines may have been why I was hesitant to try…

A tour to Bangkok is just incomplete without a visit to Safari World. Spread over an area of about 300 acres, Safari World Park is divided in to four sections,…

The Natural History Museum located at Exhibition Road, Kensington is a virtual treasure trove of life and earth science collections. This astonishing museum is home to a staggering 70 million…

  If you drive North up Route 9 out of Santa Cruz, one of the first towns you come to is Ben Lomen. Tucked into the redwoods on the southern…

The Imperial War Museum located in Lambeth, London was established in the year 1917 in memory of those soldiers who laid down their lives in the First World War. The…

Stagnaro’s is a Santa Cruz classic. It’s been in operation since 1947, and is still run by the original family. It’s right on the Municipal Wharf, and in good weather,…

London is a city of numerous tourist attractions. From modern technological wonders like the London Eye to the historic London Bridge, London has places to attract tourists of all kinds.…

Chinese presence is everywhere. Just like there is a Chinatown in Manhattan and a Chinatown in Singapore, London too has it own exclusive Chinatown located in the Gerard Street area.…

The National Maritime Museum located in Green, which beside the Greenwich Park is UK’s most renowned maritime museum. The museum is home to a bewildering array of maritime artifacts which…

If you’re missing home food then this is definitely the place for you. A lot of Indians prefer Bombay café because there is no other place especially anywhere near Bloomington,…

The Horse Guards Parade London is a large and sandy square, which was especially created in 1745 and was dedicated to the soldiers who provided protection to the king. The…

I increasingly have a real problem with restaurants that are not, at the end of the day, comfortable. When I go out to eat somewhere, I am not interested in…

It all began in 1835 when Madame Tussaud started experimenting with waxworks by making death masks during the French revolution. Some of Madame Tussaud’s original waxworks like those of Louis…

The West End is to London what Broadway is to New York. It’s a global hotspot of fashion and culture. West End of London is particularly renowned for its theater…

The Speakers Corner, located in a corner of Park Lane and the Cumberland Gate is almost certainly the most democratic and high ranking Open Air University in the world. Amazingly,…

A trip to London is incomplete without a glimpse of the monarchical pageantry – the “changing of the guards” which takes place every day from 1st April to early July…

Covent Garden in London is glitziest entertainment zone. The very name of Covent Garden conjures up images of fascinating shops, the renowned Royal Opera house, it’s street performers, the gastronomical…

Jimmy’s Place is your unassuming neighborhood breakfast diner, serving a traditional American breakfast that also caters to Asian tastes. Jimmy’s Place offers a choice between country potatoes and rice as…

It is very rare to come across a memorial of outstanding dimensions being holding such an inconspicuous name. But this is exactly what has happened in case of the memorial…

On the secluded barrier island of North Padre Island, just across the bridge from the city of Corpus Christi, Texas, a restaurant called Doc’s is tucked away almost under the…

The Globe Theatre is located in one of London’s most picturesque locales – the banks of the River Thames overlooking the river. Adjacent to it is the world famous Tate…

The Royal Mews of Buckingham Palace are by far the finest collection of working stables in the world. The stables are managed by the Department of Royal Household, which works…

Canary Wharf is one of London’s upcoming developmental estates which has been planned on a grand scale. Some of the world’s renowned architects have provided their expertise to make the…

London Dungeon is a museum where some of history’s most horrific acts have been simulated, evoking the carnage and mayhem of the past. A visit to the London Dungeon takes…

The very word Dockland conjures up images of the colossal Canary Wharf tower. But Docklands is not just the tower, it is much more than that. Dockland is an area…

The Cenotaph is a historical monument which is located in the White hall area of London. Literally, cenotaph means an “empty tomb”. It might be, however, empty in a materialist…

Soquel Avenue in Santa Cruz is a busy, relatively unglamorous commercial part of town. Tire repair shops. A supermarket. A dance studio. And lots of busy traffic. The Crepe Place…

British people have a reputation for their penchant for cold baths. This is very much a legacy left behind by Romans. There was a time in the medieval era when…

  Like its name suggests, the Original Pancake House is an old favorite, known for its wide variety of pancakes. Though the restaurant is a chain with about 100 franchises,…

London Aquarium The London Aquarium located at the Country Hall Riverside Building, is one of the Europe’s largest aquarium. The fascinating world of oceans, rainforest, seashores, beaches and tropical freshwater…

A visit to Autoworld Museum in Brussels will present you with a display of more than 400 cars developed down the ages of the automobile history up to 1970. The…

The Romantic Road in Germany served as a trade route during the medieval period. It finds its way through picturesque hamlets, walled towns and remote parts of the countryside. An…

February 19, 1942 is one of the days of  infamy in the US.  On this day the United States, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, an order that…

The country of Iran is served by the Imam Khomeini International Airport. This airport is the base for both domestic and international flights. No matter which country you are coming…

When I think of the quintessential food of San Diego, California, visions of tacos, rice and beans, or super fresh seafood caught just off the coast instantly come to mind.…

In a city where chain restaurants dominate the food scene and the people are starved for something new, unique spots like The Vine are a rare find. Its trendy yet…

Ocean Park is a much hyped theme park of Hong Kong; people go there for its scenic beauty and fun rides. We did set out for the same reason, but…

Kyoto is the premier city to experience Japan’s traditional culture and history – standing in stark contrast to ultramodern Tokyo. The one-time capital of Japan is rich with culture, packed…

What exactly happens behind these curtains which makes people stand for, sometimes, over an hour? That food and passion go hand in hand is absolutely true for this place. Orders…

Let us learn some Japanese! One is ichi, two is ni, three is san. Now it becomes easy to understand this memorial stone. This big uncut stone memorial is placed…

Mui Ne  features a fabulous stretches of white sand. It is a scenic landscape with lovely locales. The climate is hot and dry almost all year, with an average temperature…