How To Spend 3 Days In Pune - A City Guide

The second largest city in Maharashtra, Pune is known as its cultural capital. A potent mix of modernity and ethnicity, Pune is home to top-rated educational systems, IT Parks, residential/pensioner havens, ancient wonders, distinguished museums and a vibrant cityscape. Want to explore Pune in a couple of days? Make the perfect itinerary with this short guide.

Where To Stay

Caption: Treebo Park View in Pune

There are many budget stays in the city, particularly on Apte Road, Tilak Road and Karve Road, so it is not difficult to find good hotels in Pune. However, most of the hotels situated here are suitable only for backpackers on a shoestring budget, looking for minimum to basic facilities.

Where you stay while you travel matters for the reasons of safety, amenities, comfort, peace of mind and convenience. The best option to enjoy a truly comfortable and world-class stay in Pune is Treebo hotels, India’s best budget hotel chain. Tariffs start at Rs 999, but you can find a hotel of a higher range too, if you’d like to spend a bit more. The booking process is online and extremely simple.  You’ll be served with the motto of ‘Perfect Stay Or Don’t Pay’. Features include complimentary breakfast and assured amenities.

Pune City Guide: A 3-day itinerary in Pune

 Day 1: History & Architecture

 Visit the hottest historical and architectural tourist destinations in Pune on your first day. Pune is an ancient city famous for its many cultural marvels like museums and historical forts.

 Where To Eat

There are a variety of foods here that you can choose from. While you will always want to explore special Indian delicacies, you can also find good restaurants in Pune that offers different cuisines from Asia and other parts of the world.

The German Bakery Pune: Image Kevin Scott

Caption: German Bakery

 German Bakery

Known for burgers, pizzas and a variety of delicious desserts, German Bakery is one of the best places in Pune to eat.

What to eat: Breakfast spread

Location: Koregaon Park

Timing: 7:45 am to 11:45 pm

Average cost: Rs 1000 for two

 Malaka Spice

Caption: Malaka Spice

 Famous for Malaysian, Thai, Vietnamese and Japanese cuisine, Malaka Spice is an excellent casual dining restaurant with a great bar.

What to eat: Pan-Asian recipes

Location: Koregaon Park

Timing: 11:30 to 12:30

Average cost: Rs 2000 for two including alcohol 

 What to do:

 Caption: Shaniwar Wada 

Visit the Aga Khan Palace where Indian Freedom Fighters including Gandhi were imprisoned, explore the historical fortification ruins of Peshwa-era wonder called Shaniwar Wada, known for its imposing gates, check out the rare collection of over 20,000 artefacts at Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum, which exhibits ancient ornaments, utensils, musical ornaments, clothing, metal and earthenware, visit an 8th century rock-cut cave temple called Pataleshwar Cave Temple, renowned for the wide temple corridors, columns, Nandi Bull Statue and a unique cube shaped sanctum of Lord Shiva.

Day 2 – Urban wonders in Pune

Pune is home to many gardens, parks and spiritually uplifting spots, including NDA and the famous Osho Ashram. Visit them all on day 2.

Where to eat: 

1. Tales and Spirits

Image by Tales & Spirits

Caption: Live music at Tales and Spirits

A veg-only restaurant and bar, Tales and Spirits is one of the highest restaurants in Pune. They have a full bar and live sports screening.

What to eat: Greek Pizza, burgers and salads

Location: Senapati Bapat Road

Timing: 11:30 am to 12 pm

Average cost: Rs 800 for 2 with alcohol 

2. Effingut

Caption: Effingut

Famous spot to enjoy nightlife in Pune with wine, food and music, Effingut is where the elite hang out. The restaurant is famous for its live music performances.

What to eat: Prawns and chicken delicacies

Location: Koregaon Park

Timing: 11:30 am to 12 midnight

Average cost: Rs 1700 for two with alcohol

What to do: 

Caption: NDA passing out parade

See the technological wonder of Darshan Museum, which delivers spiritual messages through holographic demos, realistic art and lifelike silicon-based technology, visit Saras Bagh, a sprawling lake-park which also houses the legendary Talyatla Ganpati Temple, experience the enchanting sights of Pune Okayama Friendship Garden, a Japanese garden with manicured lawns, gazebo structures, straw bridge,  and strategically placed water bodies, take amazing pictures at National Defence Academy atop a picturesque hill, alongside the beautiful Khadakwasla Dam known for its sunset point, also visit Peacock Bay famous for its birds and water sports.

Day 3 Walking tours

There are many places in and around Pune where you can indulge in solitary treks and nature walks, enjoy adventure at its best on your third day in Pune.

Where to eat:

1. Elephant & Co 

Caption: Happy campers at Elephant & Co

A unique cosmopolitan casual dining restaurant with a bar, Elephant & Co is famous for its brunches, music and amazing outdoor seating.

What to eat: Finger food, continental fares

Location: Kalyani Nagar

Timing: 12  to 12 midnight

Average cost: Rs 1400 for two with alcohol 

2. Hard Rock Cafe 

Caption: Revellers at Hard Rock Cafe

No Hard Rock Cafe ever needed an introduction. Visit the one in Pune for live music, good food and good vibes.

What to eat: American and Mexican

Location: Mundhwa

Timing: 12 to 1 am

Average cost: Rs 2000 for two with alcohol

What to do: 

Caption: Osho Teerth Park 

Trek to the hillock of Parvati Hill, which is known for five famous temples atop. Visit its main temple and catch a panoramic view of Pune, feel inspired at Osho International Meditation Centre known for its contemporary hippie ambience, and enjoy a peaceful stroll at Osho Teerth Park, which has lush greenery, streams, bamboo trees and a utopian vibe, see wildlife at Rajiv Gandhi Zoo and spot animals like tigers, leopards, sloth bears, and a number of reptiles including pythons, king cobra, vipers and crocodiles, take a walk on Koregaon Park to experience the urban culture of Pune, including posh buildings, charming cafes, street markets, glitzy boutiques and the ancient banyan trees lining up the paths.

A trip to Pune will let you experience the essential 21st century Indian city, that is rooted in culture, yet aspirational & upmarket. You’ll leave the city full of fresh energy and vivified spirits.

If you have any questions, use the comment box below.

Best beaches in Tenerife

The Canary Island of Tenerife has some of the beautiful beaches in the world. What you may not realize is these beaches were constructed along the rocky coastline of the island. Local officials of Tenerife made huge investments into creating beaches that were stunningly attractive. That way, tourists from all around the world would have one more incentive to visit this island paradise.

Much of the refined sand that was placed on these beaches had been obtained from the Sahara Desert in Africa. Right next to the beaches are top-rated hotels and resorts which give you the best vantage point of the island’s attractions. The other major attractions include Mount Teide and Loro Parque.

Best beaches in Tenerife

If you’re looking for seclusion and relaxation on the island, then you should visit a beach resort called Los Gigantes. It is positioned in the western area of the island and it provides views of 800-meter cliffs and lots of shiny gold sand. Best of all, you’ll have an aqua blue ocean to simply admire from the shore or you can go out in it for a swim. You won’t find too many people there at one time which makes it the perfect getaway beach. To get to Los Gigantes, you’ll have to take highway TF-1 which loops around the southern end of the end from east to west. Then get off TF-47 and take it north over the coastline until you get to the beach.

Los Gigantes

Playa Jardin is known as the “garden beach” because of its surroundings. Not only is there smooth yellow sand, but the entire beach is surrounded by plant life. You’ll get to see everything from cacti to palm trees there. Of course, these plants did not grow there by chance. They were imported by a man named Cesar Manrique. He had a vision of creating an exotic beach filled with greenery. Also, if you’re a surfer, then you’ll enjoy the huge waves in the waters of this beach.  To get to Playa Jardin, you can take highway TF-5 west from the Tenerife Norte Airport and then go north on TF-312. It will take you right there.

Playa Jardin

Sometimes the most beautiful beaches are the most remote. Bollullo Beach is so remote that you can only get there by foot. Once you make it there, you’ll be blown away by the black volcanic sand of the beach. On top of that, you’ll be surrounded by lots of rocks and cliffs which make this remote location very private and intimate. But despite it being remote with few visitors, there is a small drink and food stand set up there. This spot gives you the best of everything on the island. To get there from Tenerife Norte Airport, take highway TF-5 west and then get off on TF-31 to Puerto de la Cruz. You will have to walk about 30 minutes to get to the beach but it is truly worth it.

Bollullo Beach

If you’re looking for a casual and touristy beach, then Playa de las Americas is where you should go. It is the island’s most popular beach and it is usually full of tourists. You’ll find plenty of umbrellas to sit under and sun beds to get a tan. You can also participate in the beach sports going on there like volleyball. You can get to the beach by taking highway TF-1 along the southern coastline until you get to the western region of the island.

Playa de las Americas

Top 3 reasons to visit India as a student

One thing many students regret not doing is ‘travelling’. Many young people now realise that it is best to travel whilst a student because just a couple of years down the line, they know that they will have to look for jobs, pay bills, settle down and so on. Hence it is best they make the plunge while they can.

Nowadays, more and more students are taking up the challenge and travelling abroad. They know that the world has become smaller and stiff competition in the corporate world demands broad minded individuals. This is why you’ll find that students travel around the globe during or after their studies. While travelling many students find jobs that will help them for their travels such as academic writing jobs, local bar jobs and even part time teaching.

Students realise the value of international travel, being able to connect to various cultures and learning useful skills such as new languages, networking, learning to deal with scarce resources.  Students take such challenge with vigour, passion and excitement about what they may find and what cultures they might run into. But out of all the places to visit in the world which places are the best for student travel? Which places that really take students fancy when it comes to a travelling destination?

There are a whole load of places that are available with the sort of things that students are looking for. Australia is a popular one as students see it as a relaxing sunshine destination and the familiar English language. Thailand also draws a lot of people as it is cheap and exciting to explore. Europe also draws people in as they are able to see a lot of places in one trip. They can travel through mainland Europe and visit France, Germany, Spain and many more in one go. What is the other country that draws a lot of attention from students around the world? India! India is a big, big attraction for students. It’s not hard to see why. It is a country that’s steeped in history, the interesting facets of various religions, and exciting culture and cuisine as well. Let’s take a look at why students prefer to visit India.

1. The Taj Mahal

Built in the 1600’s and with a name that literally translates to ‘Crown of the Palace’. This landmark is a reason to visit India, completely on its own. It was originally built as a resting place for the Mughal Emperor’s favourite wife, but it also includes a large mosque, a gateway called the “Darwaza”, guest house and two red sandstone buildings that mirror each other. Its architecture is largely inspired by early Persian and Mughal architecture. It’s grandiose design and beautiful white marble materials attract tourists and students alike. This landmark is particularly interesting for students as the Taj Mahal has been named one of the worlds ‘universally admired masterpieces of the world’s heritage’.

2. Indian Spirituality

Everyone is spiritual in some way or the other. Many are discovering their spirituality and this is one of the major reasons you see so many flocking to India when they have the money and time. The country is a spiritual centre with many places to visit some of which include; Bodhgaya, Rishikesh, Kedarnath, Haridwar and Auroville.  These are all fantastic spiritual spaces that will expand your understanding of yourself and the world around you. India is a country that amalgamates all the major world religions in one place so no wonder India is a place where one finds spirituality.

3. Varanasi Boat Rides

Great thing about travelling in India is that you can not only experience India but at the same time do various types of freelancing jobs on the go. Varanasi is one of those places where vast numbers of tourists have made their home while working using computers. Imagine a place where you can go for beautiful boat rides along the River Ganges in the early morning and then doing your work in the evenings. This is one of the most amazing spiritual and invigorating experiences you can have in India, and especially if you are a student!

You’ve been working hard all year, struggling to get the grades you need to excel and progress in your course. What better way to celebrate it then travelling down the beautiful River Ganges on a boat with your friends, your significant other or even on your own.

India really does have it all when it comes to giving students an experience they will never forget. The people are welcoming and eager to make tourists and explorers feel at home. Picturesque landmarks, positive spirituality, beautiful boat rides and safaris. You think of it, it has everything one needs from a holiday. It has everything you need to cool down from the hard work that you’ve been struggling throughout the year. Save up some money or even make money while you travel and get out there as soon as possible. India is waiting for you!

What do Indians eat for breakfast?

Whenever you are in India, you should try eating Indian breakfast rather than the usual cornflakes, hash browns, sausages, croissants and baked beans. You never know you might like it! Once you have tried one of these Indian breakfasts, you will not want anything else.

Let’s take a look at what Indians eat for breakfast

Puri Sabji – These are deep fried bread with a vegetable curry. Here you can puris and chickpeas curry. You can get puri subji as street food or you can order them in a restaurant.

This is how you impress your in-laws….. . . . . . . . . . . #foodie #purisabji #desifoodie #foodlover #foodpornshare #foodpresentation #bronzevessel #indianutensils #utensils #inlaws

A post shared by Shivani Verma (@shivaniverma606) on Apr 16, 2018 at 9:52pm PDT

Poha – These are flat rice friend with pees and potato and green vegetables. You should be able to get poha as part of your breakfast in your hotel. They are very popular in most parts of India. It makes a great light breakfast.

Thaali – A thali would include rotis (chapattis), chaana (beans), yogurt, a vegetable curry and some salad. Just make sure you ask for a breakfast thali. A breakfast thali would be lighter than your lunch thali.

#desibreakfast #breakfastthali #cafejade #sundayvibes

A post shared by Omer Waheed (@omer.aviator) on Oct 15, 2017 at 12:15am PDT

Cholle Bhature – Typically reserved for lunches but it makes an excellent breakfast as well particularly as street food on the go. They are ideal for lunches but I have seen many people have cholle bhature for breakfast.

#ifoundawesome Binge on the yummiest Cholla Bhatura 😍 🌟 Courtesy : ☔🌧️ Tag your friends and get planning #lunchscene 📸 by @hungrydilliwaali

A post shared by LBB Delhi NCR (@lbbdelhincr) on Jul 2, 2017 at 12:39am PDT

Masala Dosa – One of my favourites.  You just got to have a masala dosa; very popular South Indian dish made of rice flour served with sambar (lentil based vegetable stew) and coconut chutney.

Perfect breakfast, crispy masala dosa, plain samber & coconut chutney. This is my second favorite breakfast. Recently I'm making pretty good crispy masala dosas. Credit goes to live dosa counters 😂😂😂 . . . #southindianfood #southindianbreakfast #masaladosa #coconutchutney #indianbreakfast #hyderabadfoodblogger

A post shared by PeekNCook (@peekncook) on May 28, 2018 at 9:37pm PDT

Aloo paratha – Flat pancakes shaped bread stuffed with potatoes. Try aloo paratha with a dash of pure desi ghee. You will love it.

Monday Morning Breakfast. Aloo Parantha served with tomato Ketchup and Namkeen. #foodgram #parathalover #alooparatha #engineerwhocooks #indianrecipes #indianbreakfast #indianbreads #tomatoketchup #lovecooking #loveforparathas #homemadefood #alookeparathe #breads #mondaybreakfast #breakfast #potatoes #greenchilli #kissanketchup

A post shared by Nikhil Saxena (@foodaholic_nikhil) on May 28, 2018 at 7:23am PDT

Idli and vada – Rice based idli is ideal for the mornings. Vada are deep fried cutlets eaten with sambar. They are very popular in South India. I can have this any time of the day. Great for mornings too!

Evoking the South Indian gene in me. Feeling stuffed and chuffed already! . #instapic #idlivada #masaladosa #instafood #onmyplate

A post shared by Priyanka Naik (@drpriyankanaik) on May 22, 2018 at 7:41am PDT

So next time you are in India or wish to try these Indian breakfast find yourself an Indian restaurant. Let me know how you got along. Don’t forget to have a cup of Indian chai with your breakfast.

A Weekend Retreat at Lavasa

Lavasa is a beautifully planned and self sustaining luxury city situated on the Western Ghats of Pune. Its location adds value and caters to the requirements, needs and even luxuries of the visitors it receives. The young at heart and those who thrive on adventure sports are drawn to this magnetic place. Getting to Lavasa though is fairly easy if you rent a cab in Pune.

Lavasa has a dam which makes it unique for a range of water-sport activities that are on offer. Lots of tourists come to this place for trekking, mountaineering and camping. Many love the place for its water-sports activities it has to offer in the Warasgaon Lake. Since this is situated on the banks of the lake there are plenty of exciting things to so such as Personal Water Crafts (Jetski), pedal boating, luxury cruise experiences and Kayaking in Lavasa.

Lavasa also has many Ayurvedic spas famous for the relaxation and rejuvenation they generate. Being located amid the Western Ghats gives Lavasa an enviable climate and nature does its best by pffering in with some of the most stunning views. It is no wonder that Lavasa makes an ideal spot for a weekend getaways.

Just 40 km away is Temghar Dam on Pune’s River Mutha. This spot has mesmerizing views and is a spot you would be unlucky to miss. The Xthrill Adventure Academy in Lavasa is one-of-its-kind to visit with loved ones, friends, and family offering extreme sports with high safety standards. Activities like team building games, treasure hunt, raft building and paint ball make it a hub for corporate training programmes. Backpacking, camping, rappelling, rock climbing, valley crossing, waterfall rappelling and rock climbing are some of the many activities on offer. They help in decision making, team-skills and a lot more. The Cave Waterfall Trek, Cycling, Archery, Rifle Shooting, ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) and hiking are also very popular among the young and old alike.

Many youngsters, men, women and the gutsy ageing learn to play golf at the Indoor Golf Recreational and Learning Centre with its golf and putting courses. Bamboosa, a local initiative in Lavasa employs local craftsmen to make bamboo products that are a rage in home decoration.

Such is the beauty of the place and with so many sports to indulge in – perhaps a weekend getaway is insufficient. Even the activity is so stream-lined with large service providers like savaari.com pitching in, that all it takes is a phone call or online booking. Pune to Lavasa cabs will pick you at your door-step and offer you a choice of vehicles to travel in at very competitive prices. Discounts and offers are very rewarding when coupled with the fact that you can safely relax in an AC environment and watch the stunning scenery knowing that the billing is transparent and you get to customize, compare and then pay the best price always!

Why wait? The weather is always good at Lavasa and the range of exciting and thrilling activities so fulfilling that you may probably not want to return at all!