Hitman Rohit Sharma batted team India to victory against New Zealand in a nail-biting Super Over in Hamilton, giving India an unconquerable 3-0 lead in the five-match Twenty20 International series on Wednesday. The brilliant cricket player scored 64 runs off 40 balls in the scheduled 20 overs. But what got cricket fanatics screaming with happiness, was his back to back sixes off the last two deliveries bowled by Tim Southee during Super Over. His heroic consecutive sixes was the reason India was able to comfortably chase the Super Over target of 18 runs. And he has even crowned the Man Of The Match. Well, for all those of you wondering the secret behind Rohit Sharma’s stellar performance, let’s tell you that we know it all. Yes! Over a Sunday Brunch with our Chief Editor Kamiya Jani, hitman Rohit Sharma revealed the secrets of his success. So read on to quench your curiosity.

What Is Rohit Sharma’s Secret?

Rohit Sharma’s back to back sixes during the Super Over got every cricket fan celebrating with joy. So we just have to give you a glimpse of the secret behind his success. And although he is popularly known as Hitman, he maintains a calm and composed demeanour on and off-field. During the Sunday Brunch with our Chief Travelling Officer, Kamiya Jani, Rohit Sharma revealed that Meditation is the key to his success.  He stated that meditation helps him to remain calm, take tactical decisions on the field and even understand his team mate’s state of mind.

Also Read: Fans Show Their Love For The God Of Cricket At This Temple Built For Sachin Tendulkar

Picture Credits: hindustantimes.com

The star cricketer admitted that he meditates wherever he can be it on the field, in the dressing room, hotel room or even while travelling in a flight. It helps him stay ahead of the game. When batting, he uses the 2 second time taken by the bowler to walk to his position, to stay calm and strategize. Rohit Sharma strongly believes in the power of meditation as it helps him to focus, make good choices on the field and keep the pressure away. He hopes to teach his daughter meditation in the future. Did you know The World’s Largest Meditation Pyramid Is Located Near Bengaluru?

What’s More?

Now that you got a sneak peek into Rohit Sharma’s mind space and the secret behind his heroic batting during the amazing Super Over against New Zealand at the T20 match, here’s how you can get to know more about your favourite cricketer. Mark your calendars for this Sunday, 2nd Februrary 2020 and set your alarms to 12 noon. Catch the upcoming Sunday Brunch episode where Rohit Sharma talks to Kamiya Jani about his favourite food, memorable travel experiences, the importance of meditation and also narrates some interesting anecdotes about playing for team India. He is joined by the Master of Heartful Meditation, Kamlesh D Patel or Daaji at India’s Biggest Meditation Centre, Kanha Shanti Vanam in Telangana. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and if you want to ape India’s greatest batsman, Rohit Sharma, then you know what to do – Meditate.

To catch the full episode of Sunday Brunch with Rohit Sharma, tune into our YouTube channel on 2nd Feb at 12 noon. 

Address : 32nd Road, Marg, Off Linking Rd, TPS III, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050

College days are that time of your lives when your pockets might have been empty, your attendance might have been close to nil, but you’re hearts are filled with beautiful memories that would last you a lifetime. Friends, fun and lots of food. Well, those are the universal 3 keys to a wonderful college life. MMK and Nationals College are two of the oldest colleges in Bandra, which in turn means that the lanes near these colleges are filled with iconic eateries. So if you’d like to revisit your college days or gorge on delicious food sprinkled with nostalgia, then here are 5 things to do outside MMK & Nationals College.

1. Eat At Jay Sandwich

When it comes to pocket-friendly wholesome snacks, the good old Sandwich always seems to come to the rescue. Bandra’s Jay Sandwich has been the go-to place for every college student around the block since 1986. It’s one of Bandra’s best places to enjoy sandwiches. The next time you’re in Bandra, visit Jay Sandwich and try their famous Chilli Cheese Toast Sandwich. The sandwich is topped with grated cheese which will just melt in your mouth, and leave you asking for more.

Deets
Address: Near National College, 32nd Road, Off Linking Road, Linking Road, Bandra West
Timings: 10 am to 8:30 pm
Cost: ₹200 for two
Contact: 022 26058493

2. Enjoy Indian Chinese Food At Ravi Rice Corner

Chinese food is great. But the desi twist on Chinese food is just heavenly. And you can enjoy pocket-friendly Indian Chinese roadside food at Ravi Rice Corner near MMK & Nationals College. Fried rice and other Chinese dishes are prepared right in front of you, on the wok. Order their bestselling Fiery Schezwan Rice. It comes in both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. And is topped with a fluffy omelette. The best part is, you can get it in both half and full plates depending on your appetite and budget.

Deets
Address:  37th Rd, Khar, Khar West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050
Timings: 11 am to 12 am
Contact: 098335 44597

3. Try Homely South Indian Food At Anna Idli & Medu Wada

A hot plate of soft idlis, spicy chutney and flavoursome sambhar can be the perfect fix for a homely South Indian meal. And Anna Idli & Medu Vada situated near MMK & Nationals College is a humble abode for a simple South Indian fare. Two soft idlis, topped with sambhar and chutney are served on a small steel plate. You can also munch on crispy Medu Vadas here. The food here tastes like home.

Picture used as reference ( Picture Credits: justdial.com)

Deets
Address: 37th Rd, Khar, Khar West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050

Also Read: 10 Best Dosa Places In Mumbai To Try In 2020

4. Visit Navjivan Book Centre

By now you might think that college life is just about the food. In a way it is, but books too play a very important role you know. And Navjivan Book Centre located opposite MMK, Nationals and Thadomal college, is every students’ go-to place to purchase course material. You can get all kinds of books for exams, olympiad and even colouring books for adults and children. Even if you’re no longer a student, you can always find interesting office stationery here. If you love books then We Found A Book Village Called Pustakanche Gaanv And Its Only 3 Hours Away From Mumbai

Picture Credits: justdial.com

Deets
Address:  248, Linking Rd, Opposite National College, Khar, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050
Timings: 9:30 am to 8:30 pm
Contact: 022 2642 2157

5. Shop At Linking Road

Students from MMK, Nationals and Thadomal college love their food. And the testimony to this is the array of roadside eateries as well as joints like Baskin Robbins and Subway. But apart from the food fiesta they also like to indulge in shopping at Linking Road. This is a shopping hub that witnesses a large crowd of people coming to buy shoes, clothes, toys and much more. Here are the Top 10 Places For Street Shopping In Mumbai

Picture Credits: tripadvisor.com

Deets
Address: Main Market extends from, Near National College, Bandra To Khar Telephone Exchange. Khar, Mumbai 400052

The next time you’re in Bandra revisit your college memories by gorging delicious street food at Ravi Rice Corner, shopping at Linking Road and purchasing books at the Navjivan Book Store.

Looking for 2020 travel goals? We have one that will take you straight to heaven. Warning: this was not a euphemism. There exists a 140 feet long sky ladder, 2296 feet in the air. This ‘Stairway To Heaven’ is hanging between two gigantic mountains in Austria.  

What is it 

A protected climbing route in the Alps takes adrenaline junkies to Donnerkogel via Ferrata. There’s a giant 2,296 feet gorge in Gosaukamm mountain range in Upper Austria. The ‘Sky Ladder’ stretches over the gorge of the Grosser Donnerkogel. It’s a do or die kind of ladder that leaves people in awe. The dangers of crossing it need to be put into serious consideration. If you can’t keep away from challenged that test your limits, you’ve found the right one this time. Donnerkogel itself is one of the highest summits in the Gosaukamm mountain range of Austria. Stairway To Heaven is rock solid. It’s made of steel cables. Some people are of the view that it aids amateur climbers. It offers a decent standard of secure passage and makes it possible for everyone to reach higher peaks. 

Image Credit: jessdales

What’s more 

Heli Putz created the Stairway To Heaven relatively recently for adventurers, trekkers and travellers. Believe it or not, it’s not the most difficult part of the climb. This route is 1,000 meters long in total. It’s rated ‘C’ for the difficulty level in climbing and mountaineering. Level ‘D’ is the most difficult. Climbers need to think twice before setting off to conquer these peaks. The reward however, is most certainly worth it. With views of the inner Salzkammergut region, this alpine climb is one you’ll never forget. Dachstein mountain smiles above Lake Gosausee on your way.  Check out this Austrian Village That Inspired The Township In Disney Movie ‘Frozen’. It Is Now Getting Ruined Because Of Overtourism!

Also read: Did You Know There’s A Giant Hand In The Middle Of The Desert In Chile?

Image Credit: jessdales

The Sky Ladder or the Stairway To Heaven is our humble way of connecting with nature on a deeper level. Or should we say on a higher level! This is the final leg of the via ferrata route. Climbers who come so far never stop there. We’ll be back with your next adventure. Meanwhile, let us know if Austria blew your mind like it did ours!

Also read: Forget Conquering Mountains! Conquer India’s Most Dangerous Roads This Year! 

I am Hirak Biswas, a sarcastic human being, a foodie and a person who loves to sleep a lot. So I reside in a beautiful city Kolkata which is called the “City of Joy”. Earlier I was working in the BPO Sector and now somehow I managed to have my own business. I was a karate player as well, not by profession but was by passion. Coming to my travel tales,  I embarked on a trip to Malaysia and Thailand with my friend. And if you’re wondering, what is a great Malaysia and Thailand itinerary? Then here’s my 10-days trip and itinerary to Malaysia and Thailand in ₹50,000 (including flights). So here’s my memorable journey in these two awesome countries.

Travel Trip to Malaysia & Thailand

Accompanying me on this trip was my friend named Aniket. We met in school and became friends when I was in class 1. I went to Thailand for my Karate Championship in the past in 2012. And that trip actually motivated me to travel to international destinations. I always wanted to travel after that but was waiting for the right opportunity or you can say the perfect time.

So one fine day Aniket suddenly called and asked me to give him company for an International Trip to Thailand. So I happily said yes, because I thought this is the best time. Going abroad for my friend was easy because he could afford it, but for me, it was a very big thing. I was just 19-year-old who didn’t have any job, and I didn’t want to ask for help from my dad nor from anyone.

Saving Up For This Trip

The best way I could afford to go to this Malaysia & Thailand trip was by doing a job. So I choose to join a BPO where I was working in a night shift with a salary of ₹11,000 per month. So luckily within 5 months of work, I managed to save ₹50,000 and a bit more. Living the whole month in ₹1,000 and sometimes in ₹600, and saving around ₹10,000 per month, was the biggest challenge.

Since I am from Kolkata, staying with my parents did help me save easily. But I did have to make sacrifices on my part. I would work for odd hours like 7 pm to 4 am. I would walk to the office at times, and then get dropped by the company vehicle. Thanks to my friend, Ankit, I could save some more money as he would sometimes drop me to work on his bike. When it comes to food,  I would even skip meals during office hours. No matter how tempting the food of Kolkata was, I did not eat anything from outside for 5 months. Travel did mean a lot to me and I was ready to go to any lengths to make my Malaysia & Thailand trip a reality.

Managing My Budget For This Trip

Our plan was to go to Thailand but I thought what if we can explore one more country as well within this budget. Then Malaysia came to our minds. We decided to plan this trip in utmost detail. Coming from night shifts and staying awake in the morning to make our own itinerary, includes booking flight tickets and visa. We booked flights which cost us ₹15,000 each from Kolkata-Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur-Bangkok, Bangkok-Kolkata.

Visa for two countries cost us  ₹7,000 each. And the hotel cost was ₹4000 each for both the countries, which we booked online from MMT. I took 500 Ringgit cash for Malaysia which was about ₹10,000. And 10,000 Bhat cash for Thailand which was about ₹20,000. So now that you know about my stringent budget, have a look at my 10-days trip and itinerary to Malaysia and Thailand in ₹50,000 (including flights) from 5th September 2018 to 14th September 2018.

Day 1

We took a flight from Kolkata at night and reached Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia in the morning to witness a bright and sunny morning. We took a bus which cost us 20 Ringgit(₹342 approx) which took us to the main city KL Central.

Then we took monorail which cost us 10 Ringgit (₹171 approx) and was fast and convenient for us to reach Bukit Bintang. A place where you find the maximum number of tourist and the best nightlife and was near to Petronas Twin Tower, which was the main reason to come to Malaysia as well. So we checked in the hotel. My friend and I shared a room. The room was awesome, super clean and well maintained. It was almost afternoon when we reached. We decided to take a bit of rest and then to explore the place. So we started to explore Bukit Bintang in the evening. We were stunned to see the nightlife of the place, crowded with tourist.

Also Read: This 22 Yr Old Bangalore Girl Has Already Gone Solo Travelling To 20 Countries

We started from Changkat Bukit Bintang, it has often been likened to London’s Piccadilly Circus and New York City’s Times Square. An avenue on which a large number of KL’s most popular bars and restaurants can be found, it is a trendy place that is great for pub crawling. It is actually located just behind Jalan Bukit Bintang,

The buildings were unique because they used to be pre-war, colonial shop-houses that were refurbished and turned into upmarket pubs and restaurants – most of which serve western food. And that was all for the day 1, we explored the nearby places and returned back to the hotel because we were very tired of staying awake the whole night in flight till the afternoon until we reached hotel.

Day 2

We had breakfast in an Indian restaurant which was of 5 Ringgit(₹86 approx). Normally you can have food at this price, be it local food or Indian food. We have basically sorted our expense which was 10 Ringgit(₹171 approx) each for 3 times meal which was 30 Ringgit(₹513 approx). For 5 days it costed us approx. 200 Ringgit(₹3421 approx) for food.

Along with the Petronas Twin Towers, Menara KL Tower is easily Malaysia’s most recognizable and popular landmark. This gleaming tower’s spindle-like apex is visible from almost anywhere in Kuala Lumpur. Menara KL’s Tower Sky bridge; the view is marvellous during the day and even better at night when you can see the entire sparkling city Centre.

We were not just excited but we went crazy about this place. So the day went all like this exploring few more places and we returned to our hotel after having lunch in KFC trying Malaysian Menu which affordable for budget travellers like us because we had already sorted the expense of spending money. Lunch cost us 10 Ringgit(₹171 approx) and we were full. The amount of food was a lot.

It was evening and our excitement increased to a thousand per cent because at last, we were going to the place which was the best thing for the trip. The Petronas Twin Tower. And if you’re planning a trip to Malaysia check out  Malaysia To Waiver Visa Fees For Indians Till Dec 2019

We went up to the tallest building which was a landmark of Kuala Lumpur, along with nearby Kuala Lumpur Tower; they remain the tallest buildings in Kuala Lumpur. And then we went to KLCC Park which had jogging and walking paths, a fountain with an incorporated light show, wading pools, and a children’s playground.

Then the sky Bridge The towers feature a double-decker sky bridge connecting the two towers on the 41st and 42nd floors, which is the highest 2-story bridge in the world. We saw the whole city from there and it was the best place we visited till now.

We spent the whole evening sitting in the cold breeze and watching tourists, clicking pictures and yes feeling the moment which was the best of all.

Day 3

The one thing I would recommend every traveller out there is to speak to locals and ask them for travel recommendations Locals are the best people to give you firsthand information about hidden gems in the city. So we checked with a few locals and they suggested us to go to a few places. We mostly started exploring from the evening till the next day morning and slept in the morning till afternoon during the course of our trip. Sometimes we used to go to local places or hang out with travellers from other countries at a coffee shop or at a restaurant in the day time and again we started exploring from the evening.

There is a pink colour bus which runs throughout the city and takes passengers for free. We took that and reached the place. The Malaysia Heritage Walk, called Kasturi Walk by locals, is a covered, open-air flea market along Jalan Kasturi, where we found vendors selling local snacks, fruits and fake label goods (think, T-shirts, flip flops, watches) set up side-by-side. Additionally, the goods are reasonably priced plus its convenient location makes a trip here worthwhile. Food stalls sell everything from Malay kuih and Chinese dim sum to Indian rojak and other local snacks.

We bought some clothes for us which was very cheap and at affordable prices. We visited a few more places nearby and we spent time till the evening roaming there. Then we went back to Bukit Bintang. We went to some pubs and Shisha Bar, grabbed drinks and enjoyed the rest of the evening.

Day 4

My friend and I like our mornings to be chilled out, and we wanted to enjoy the nightlife of Malaysia to its fullest. We explored Berjaya Times Square which is a 48-storey twin-tower complex in the evening. Inside each tower you can find a variety of affordable, small-time retail boutiques: when it comes to entertainment this is where the mall really shines – there is a nine-screen cinema, Asia’s largest indoor theme park (with 14 specially-designed rides including a thrilling roller coaster), an archery range and 48-lane bowling alley. It is connected to the Kuala Lumpur Imbi Monorail station via a footbridge. We explored that place and that was all for the day.

Day 5

We went to Jalan Alor Bukit Bintang, which is one of the most famous roads in Kuala Lumpur for food. Located just behind Jalan Bukit Bintang and a short walk away from Changkat Bukit Bintang, it is a favourite after-clubbing dining spot in the Golden Triangle area.

We had seafood at one of the air-conditioned restaurants which was really good and inexpensive, we highly recommend the hawker food. KL being an immigrant city, the variety of food available is amazing and in Jalan Alor the barbecued meats, noodles and desserts are some of the best (and cheapest) in the city. Most of these dishes cannot be found in fashion-conscious restaurants – and even if they are, they are rarely as tasty, so hawker stalls are a favourite on the city’s foodie scene.

Day 6

We left for the airport for our next destination and stop which was Thailand, Bangkok with all the memories of Malaysia which made us emotional as well. We took flight in the evening at around 5 pm and reached Bangkok Don Mueang Airport at around 8 pm.

As we were a budget traveller it was very important for us to save money as much as we could. We missed the last bus to reach the Bangkok City because of the lengthy visa process, and it was very costly to go by cab, so we decided to stay the whole night at the airport and leave the next morning. Somehow we managed to sleep in the chairs, eating a sandwich from 7 pm to 11 pm and waiting for the morning. Next morning, we took the bus and left for Khao San Road, which was the best nightlife place according to my knowledge and research. Talking about Bangkok did you know Bangkok In Thailand Is The Most Visited City In The World?

Day 7

In the morning we left for Grand Palace which was built in 1782, and for 150 years the home of Thai Kings and the Royal court, the Grand Palace continues to have visitors in awe with its beautiful architecture and intricate detail. Wat Pra Kaew enshrines Phra Kaew Morakot (the Emerald Buddha), the sacred Buddha image meticulously carved from a single block of Emera. Then we went to a few more local places and that was all for the day. You can even visit these 5 Unexplored Places In Thailand

It was evening and it was now time to enjoy the nightlife of Bangkok. Khao San Road is the scene of their collision, the place where they jostle for superiority and poke one another in the eye. With travellers from every corner of the modern world, sleek clubs playing sophisticated sounds, eclectic market stalls, converted VW cocktail bars, and foods tamed to suit the Western palate, it may seem clear who won the fight. However, whether you’re a hard-up farang or open-minded Thai, its irrepressible energy and carefree vibe makes it well worth a visit.

Khao San Road has plenty of places for partygoers to choose from. This long entertainment street offers numerous bars and restaurants serving drinks at cheap prices. After the sunset, many mobile bars will take over the roadside, selling buckets full of cocktails. This is one of the most popular precursors to start the night before heading out to sample some of the nearby clubs.

Day 8

We left for Pattaya because we had more two days left for our trip. So we took a bus in the morning and reached Pattaya at around 3 pm. We took a bike taxi which cost us 100 Bhat( ₹236 approx)and went to our hotel Sawasdee Sea View. We checked in and left to start exploring.

Khao Pattaya View Point on Pratumnak Hill is the best viewpoint in the region and the place to visit day or night to get that classic shot of Pattaya’s sweeping, crescent bay. Be warned though, this is anything but an insider’s tip so expect to share your view with an almost ceaseless conveyor-belt of package tours and the local traders who follow them touting cheap souvenirs and expensive refreshments. This might sound off-putting but the reality is tours will usually stop for 10 to 15 minutes and once they have been called back to the bus, the viewpoint becomes quiet and peaceful – perfect for enjoying the stunning scenery.

The sights and sounds of Walking Street are quite unlike anything else in Thailand. Other towns and cities try to claim to have their own version, but nothing comes close to matching the 500 meters of fun which is found at the end of Pattaya’s Beach Road. Taking its name from the fact that it is closed to vehicle traffic after 18:00, almost every building on both sides of the road – as well as many in the side streets around it – is a nightclub, beer bar, restaurant or go-go bar to the extent that the road is almost completely deserted during daylight hours as virtually everything is shut. At night, however, the road comes alive with neon lights, thumping music from different genres, food vendors, street performances and party animals from around the world.

Day 9

There is a lot more to this 4 km crescent of coastline than just sand and sea. In fact, the beach is not even the star attraction, even if it is home to a huge number of speedboats, parasails and jet skis, as well as diving boats and floating restaurants. Pattaya Beach Road, which is just a line of palm trees away from the shore, is the place to be.

Here you can find the best attractions, the best shopping, the best eating and the best partying in the main part of the sprawling conurbation now known as ‘Greater Pattaya’. Between Pattaya North Road and Pattaya South Road, there is a wealth of experiences to enjoy, ensuring that you will never be bored.

After Pattaya Beach, we also went to Jomtien beach. This place of sand is a much quieter place compared to its rowdy neighbour to the north. It still has many attractions – some of which are world firsts – but the biggest is, without a doubt, the pleasure of a leisurely day on the sandy shore, splashing in the clean and uncluttered sea and enjoying the cheap seafood snacks available from wandering vendors. Check out A 7-Day Itinerary To Explore The Best Of Thailand

And also you will find some of the finest restaurants in the area as well as unique attractions such as world-renowned botanical gardens, thrilling water parks and awe-inspiring cultural and religious sites. There is also a great selection of excellent hotels for all budgets.

Day 10

It was all done for the trip and now it was time to go back home with all the memories and the hard work which I had done for this trip. We left our hotel then sat on the beaches for the last time, we had a beer and was feeling the last day. I was a bit emotional and I started crying as well. I never thought that I could go abroad, coming from a middle-class family it was hard to see these dreams. But it was my trip to Thailand in 2012 for my karate championship where I represented India, which motivated me to travel abroad.

Living in the worst conditions for 5 months to save the maximum amount of money. I remember not eating food, sometimes walking to the office, not visiting any restaurant or anything to save money in those 5 months. I used to stand outside and watch people eating, but didn’t want to indulge as I had to save money. All these sacrifices definitely paid off. And having to now leave this beautiful paradise of Malaysia and Thailand definitely made me emotional. Anyway,  we went to the bus stand, took a bus and reached Don Mueang airport. Our flight was at around 12 am. We reached Kolkata at 2 am.

Tips For People Wanting To Visit Malaysia & Thailand On A Budget

• People who want to have a budget trip, I would suggest them to book flight almost 3 months earlier to save your budget big time. This is what we did.
• Exchange your currency after seeing the rates regularly, for the best rate.
• Divide your expense into different parts such as food for every day, hotels for each day and daily expense such as sightseeing bus, cab fare etc.
• About saving money you need to sacrifice something to achieve something. It’s not easy to survive like this but if you actually think of doing that you will end up having a beautiful and an awesome trip abroad.
• You can find hotels at affordable prices. The only thing is, to keep checking the hotel prices regularly in different sites which I did for months and finally got a good deal at MMT. If you book a bit early that will be a plus point, it actually depends on the season.
•  If you are travelling alone hostels will be the best option

Things I Learned from This Trip

Travelling was not a passion for me earlier but when u think you can achieve something..you have to go for it. This trip gave a lot of lessons like saving more money in less time..taught me how to live and move ahead in the worst conditions to achieve your goal. 5 months of saving money were very hard, especially saving 90% of your salary and living in 10% of salary was the hardest challenge.

But, yes! It was worth it. The best part was I could travel to 2 countries with limited money but with a great experience. These two countries are best at their places..there are a lot of places to see and activities to do in less budget. So if people do not have enough money but they wanna travel abroad then these 2 countries are the best. Its affordable and people can get an awesome experience if you want to actually make it.

The everyday hustle and bustle of the city can definitely get to you. And if you’re yearning for a luxury staycation away from it all, then look no further. Head to Empresa Mumbai, where you pamper yourself with a comfortable stay at a gorgeous room equipped with modern facilities, exercise at the gym, relax at the rooftop pool, rejuvenate at the in house spa La Soin and gorge on delicious food at the Loca Loca Bistro. If this isn’t luxury and pampering at its best, then we don’t know what is!

A survey conducted by Lonely Planet lists Dubai as one of the top ten cities to visit in 2020. Dubai grabbed the ninth spot in the list complied by its team of editors and travel experts. The emirate is the only city from the Middle East to feature in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel for 2020. The website lists the best of cities for the next year, most of which are overlooked by travelers.

What’s It?

Boasting a diverse audience, Dubai has a little something to offer for every kind of traveler and its no surprise that it made to this list. Lonely Planet describes Dubai as a “stirring alchemy of profound traditions and ambitious futuristic vision wrapped into starkly evocative desert splendor”.

Issam Kazim, CEO, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM) said: “Being recognised as a ‘must visit’ travel destination by Lonely Planet is testament to the dynamic evolution of Dubai’s tourism proposition. The acknowledgement of Dubai’s attractiveness as a tourist hotspot by one of the world’s leading travel publishers raises the emirate’s profile globally.

Besides, with Expo 2020 preparations in full swing, the next year will go down in a big way in the history of Dubai. Here’s a list of all the other cities that made it to the list:

1. Salzburg, Austria
2. Washington DC, USA
3. Cairo, Egypt
4. Galway, Ireland
5. Bonn, Germany
6. La Paz, Bolivia
7. Kochi, India
8. Vancouver, Canada
9. Dubai, UAE
10. Denver, USA

What Else?

Dubai is preparing in full swing for the grand Expo 2020. Expo 2020 is a grand fair which attracts people worldwide, allowing them to share ideas and views, encourage innovation, and enable collaborative creations. The world’s first Expo- The Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations was held in London in 1851. The Expo exhibited about 100,00 innovations.Scheduled to be held on 20 October 2020, the Expo will witness 192 countries coming together to ideate, innovate and collaborate. Here’s all that you need to know about Expo 2020.

Punekars! If you ever have to name your favourite cuisine right after Indian, more often than not it would definitely be Chinese. The hot manchowi sauce, slurpy noodles, garlic fried rice, chop suey is a celebration of flavours. Agreed, Indians have definitely given Chinese food an Indo spin, but is there anything like too much Chinese? So here is a list of the best Chinese restaurants in Pune so you can satisfy your cravings for Chinese food.

1. Delicious Chinese Food At Two Sticks, Balewadi

This quaint Chinese restaurant in Balewadi is a charming place to plan a date with your bae. The soft yellow lighting and tastefully decorated ambience will surely impress you.  When you’re here do try the Wonton Soup, HongKong style Chicken and Oriental Noodles. The food is cooked to perfection and well presented too.

Picture Credits: thehavratjodi

Deets
Address: Shop 1, Ground Floor, Avenue Daffodils, New D.P. Road, Sai Chowk, Balewadi, Pune
Timings:  12 pm to 3:30 pm and 7 pm to 11:30 pm
Cost: ₹800 for two
Contact: +91 8408801110, +91 9423495848

2. Authentic Chinese Food At Kimling, Multiple Outlets

Kimling is a popular Chinese restaurant which is run by a Chinese family. So now you know how authentic the food really is! With multiple outlets around the city, you can surely find one near your place to savour delicious Chinese food. Do try the Mapo tofu, Pork Sweet and Sour and the peanut infused Kung pao chicken, which will surely leave you asking for more. This is one of the best Chinese restaurants in Pune that must be on your go-to list.

Deets
Address: Multiple Outlets
Timings: 12 pm to 11 pm
Cost: ₹1,000 for two

3. Flavoursome Chinese Food At Malaka Spice, Multiple Outlets

Head out for a lovely Sunday Brunch to Malaka Spice. Decorated with red lanterns, scarlet walls and an exquisite decor which screams Chinese, this place serves you some of the best Asian food in town. Start your meal here with a bowl of Roast pumpkin Bamboo soup. Order the Chinese Greens, Honey Garlic Chilli Chicken and Saigon noodles which exuberates distinct flavours.

Deets
Address: Multiple Outlets
Timings: 11:30 am to 12:30 am
Cost: ₹1,800 for two

4. Indo Chinese Food At Uncle’s Chinese, Koregaon Park

When it comes to Chinese food, admit it or not our tastebuds are quite comfortable with Indo-Chinese flavours. And if you’re agreeing with us now then do visit Uncle’s Chinese in Koregaon Park which is definitely one of the best Chinese restaurants in Pune. Do try their Chicken Manchurian, Schezwan fried rice and Paneer Chili Dry. The food is reasonably priced and served in generous amounts.

Deets
Address: Shop 3 & 5, A/10, Lane 7, Meera Garden Society, Off North Main Road, Koregaon Park, Pune
Timings: 11:30 am to 12 am
Cost: ₹750 for two
Contact: +91 9763793513

Also Read: 12 Best Tandoori Chicken Places In Pune For 2019

5. Exquisite Chinese Food At Baan Tao- Hyatt Pune, Kalyani Nagar

Take yur tastebuds on a culinary journey of Asian flavours at Hyatt Pune’s Baan Tao. The minute you walk in here you will be spellbound by the 18 feet fountain, bright chandeliers and sophisticated seating here. Click pictures for your Insta feed and ofcourse gorge on the exquisite Chinese food here. The crab meat, Xi-Hu soup are some of the amazing dishes that you must try here.

Deets
Address: Hyatt Pune, Near Aga Khan Palace, Nagar Road, Kalyani Nagar, Pune
Timings: 12:30 pm to 3 pm and 7 pm to 11:30 pm
Cost: ₹3,000 for two
Contact: 080 46972172

6. Spicy Chinese Food At Five Fat Monks, Baner

A cosy restaurant tucked away in the heart of Balewadi, Five Fat Monks is the place to be when it comes to savouring spicy Chinese food in Pune. Five Fat Monks has both an airy outdoor seating and a spacious indoor one. When your here do try their Baos, which are soft and have a wonderful filling of Bombay Chicken and Szechuan Chicken. The food is spicy and has a tangy soy sauce taste, its’ nevertheless delicious. If you’re a Mumbaikar, check out The 36 Best Chinese Restaurants Of Mumbai Of 2019

Picture Credits: khaane_pe_charcha

Deets
Address: Shop 1, Building D, Grandeur, Balewadi Road, Opposite Balewadi High Street Park, Baner, Pune
Timings: 12 pm to 11 pm
Cost: ₹1,000 for two
Contact: +91 9112260200, +91 9112260300

Everyone knows that students of Ruia College and Poddar College share a lot of things. Besides having a common wall and a very healthy rivalry, if there’s one thing that both colleges agree on, it’s that Subhash Sandwichwala makes the best sandwich in all of Mumbai. Having been an alumnus of Ruia, I can vouch for just how delicious his sandwiches are. Super affordable and perfect to snack on, his sandwiches have a legendary status in Matunga. But what sets him apart from other sandwich makers that feed the masses in the city is something quite out of the box.

Chocolate Sandwich At Subhash, Matunga

Famously known for his chocolate sandwiches, Subhash has been making sandwiches at the Ruia Katta for close to 30 years now. Oh, yes, you heard that right. Chocolate sandwiches, that’s what he is famous for. But, he puts his own twist to the dessert sandwich. Instead of just adding a humongous amount of chocolate chunks, shavings and chocolate to the sandwich, he goes ahead and adds a dollop of chocolate ice cream on top of it!

How’s The Sandwich Made?

When we first saw the sandwich, we were just in awe of it. The piece of art is every chocolate lover’s dream. The sandwich is a gift of generosity because I honestly can’t imagine someone using that much chocolate without being a bit of a miser. Made using 3 slices of bread, they are first buttered before Subhash Ji adds a liberal amount of chocolate shavings to it. And that is followed by a dose of chocolate sauce (and it is all A-grade material). Once the sandwich is all chocolaty, it is grilled but it doesn’t end there. It is topped off with even more chocolate, a dollop of chocolate ice cream and more chocolate sauce and chunks. Phew! And that’s how this masterpiece is created.

Also Read: Get Immersed In Chocolate With These Sandwiches!

It is no wonder that this scrumptious creation sells like hotcakes at the stall. Run by Subhash Ji and his son, Rohan, the stall first started off selling sandwiches for ₹2 and now has sandwiches that sell for more than ₹100 too. Generations of college students have grown up eating these sandwiches which are made by Subhash Ji and always served with a smile.

The stall sells approximately 10 packets of bread worth of sandwiches on a daily basis! Originally selling classic sandwiches, the stall has now branched out and sells pretty whacky sandwiches too. One of them is the chocolate and cheese sandwich. This new age sandwich combines the goodness of melted chocolate along with a giant helping of grated cheese on top. Even though the sandwich sounds like a lot, it actually tastes insanely good. The cheese and the chocolate go together like a dream and we can assure you that it is nothing like you have ever tasted.

This sandwich definitely makes it into our list of the best desserts in the city. Once you have had it, I am sure you will agree too.

How do you like your coffee? Sweet, with no sugar, with your face printed on it, or how about favourite cartoon character? While you might be a little confused, you must also be a bit excited. Right? Ditas, located in Delhi’s Mehrauli area will serve you just that!

What’s More?

Venturing into the areas of Chhatarpur or Mehrauli for a meal, or coffee is not very common for Delhiites as well. But when we heard about this cute cafe, tucked in one of the most unexpected corners of the city, we decided cab it.

This gorgeous restaurant, comes as an unexpected surprise which its beautiful interiors and insta-worthy outdoors that make it the perfect spot for some amazing clicks. Wall flowers, ferry lights and cozy outdoor seating makes it a perfect date-night spot. Add to that a view of the iconic Qutub Minar: perfect!

Also read: Indian Coffee House In Delhi Still Serves The Tastiest Coffee For ₹36

What’s In Your Heart, Is On Your Coffee

If you are someone who likes to have your favourite character on every thing, then Ditas lets you have it on the foam of your coffee too. Yes! Not just Mickey or Goofy, even if you want your photo to be printed on your coffee, these guys will make it possible. Priced from ₹225 onwards, these delicious and pretty looking coffees are served with cookies on the side, and the pair make it for an ideal evening.

And if coffee is not your thing, then you can simply head to Ditas and indulge in soups, salads, smoothie bowls, delicious nibbles and great food.

Also read: Have You Tried These Unique Coffees In Delhi NCR Yet?

But the most interesting thing on their menu is The Best Coffee. Yes, we are back onto that. If you don’t like it, you’ll get your money back. Don’t believe us, it says so on the menu as well. Good enough reason to check it out right?

Deets:

Where: Ward 1, H-5, Kalka Das Marg, Mehrauli, New Delhi

Cost for two: ₹2500

Timings: 12PM – 12AM