Mumbai Escape at Ramada Powai Hotel

Mumbai is one of the most interesting cities of the billion+ nation of India. It does not have the imperial history of Delhi, it does not have the princely elegance of Jaipur or Udaipur, it does not have the holly spirit of Varanasi and you cannot find any monument which can rival Taj Mahal of Agra. However, it is  the place where you will feel the colonial English impact which crafted the contemporary India, you can discover the amazing mix of the subcontinent’s cultures and European one, you can enjoy some of the finest gastronomies of East and West and you can feel the vibe of the most vibrant and forward looking metropolis of this country big as an continent – India. And in order to fully savour Mumbai you should stay in one of the city’s luxury retreats like Ramada Powai.

What to see and do in Mumbai ? First of all, you need to go where seemingly everyone goes in the evening (so, I would actually recommend to go in the morning, just to beat the crowds) – to the Gate of India. Built in 1911 in order to welcome the most noble visitors of those times – the King and Queen of England, the gate is now probably the most well-known landmark of the City. Next to it, you can find another iconic place of Mumbai – the fabled hotel of Taj, one of the most luxurious of the world

However, the biggest architectural attraction of Mumbai are not the newly constructed skyscrapers, but the old heritage building from the Taj period – the Gothic looking Prince of Wales Art Museum or the former Victoria Terminus railway station, baptized as Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (If Queen Victoria is a quite well-known historic character for a vast worldwide audience, Chhatrapati Shivaji is the founder of the Marathi Empire – the local Indian hindu empire which fought both the English, but also the Great Mugals of Delhi.

Are you in religious experiences ? Go and check the countless Hindu and Jain temples, or the Muslim mosques (do not miss Haji Ali mosque – built at the end of a long walkway in the middle of the Indian Ocean). For more in depth experiences, check Banganga Tank, a sacred water tank which is next to a small street full with temples and other sacred places, It is not a touristic hotspot, so you will get a glimpse of the real life of the locals in Mumbai. Do you want to have a further glimpse into the day to day life of Mumbai – don’t miss the dhobi ghat, the human powered washing machines of this metropolis, Go next to Mahalaxmi Railway Station and witness how hundreds of dhobis (washers), clean 24 hours a day a lot of Mumbai’s dirty laundry. Looking at the mountains of clothes which go through the hands of these dhobis and you will be shocked to learn that they actually do not lose any garment. Or almost any :).

Don’t miss the colourful markets and bazars of Mumbai and if I am talking about colours, go for the most entertaining ones – the Film City, the India’s version of City of Films where the biggest hits of Bollywood are produced. And by the way, if they need some extras, you might star in some productions. Don’t expect to earn more than a few rupees, but you will get a fantastic experience and lots of laugh.

How to end a day in Mumbai ? Simply, go and enjoy the sunset at Juhu beach and go dance the night away in the most push clubs of Mumbai. Just ask around to see which is the “in place” – it changes quite often.

Sights of Mumbai

Gate of India and Taj Hotel

Victoria Terminus – the main railway station of Mumbai

Dhobi ghat of Mumbai