Panchgani Alternate Travel Guide: The series TravelForMore is all about seeking more than just the sightseeing spots. And this last episode is a proof that even in a popular and commercial destination like Panchgani, you can go beyond the famous tourist attractions and experience it on a whole new dimension. I always wanted to visit Mahabaleshwar Panchgani during the monsoons because while it is beautiful all year long, monsoon enhances its charm to a sublime degree. No matter how popular a destination is, there is always a side to it that is still comparatively preserved and that locals keep to themselves. And Kunal and Laura helped me experience this unexplored side of the western ghats of Maharashtra. I was hosted by them at their lovely Airbnb called The OddGumnut. They are A couple of IndianAustralianAmerican hybrids who, after travelling the world, decided to build a self sustaining lifestyle.
Director:
Abhishek Vaid
Actors:
E1 Pune Food Walk
17 February 2021
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14 min
Exploring Pune Food Culture With A Pune Based Food Blogger A good meal is more than just how it tastes and a great story can influence the taste more than you think. Join me as I explore the some of the best places to eat in Pune on a foodwalk with a techie who likes his food much more than technology 😊 . . From Garden Vada Pav to the legendary parsi restaurant run by the 4th generation descendant to a Director of Analytics at Coca Cola starting a petfriendly cafe This Pune Food Trail has got it all. . . A very special thanks to Dushyant Bhatia from Eating Cultures for joining me on this awesome tour.
E2 Banyan Bliss
17 February 2021
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11 min
After savoring the food scene in Pune Ep 1, it was time to hit the road. The beauty of Pune is that you don’t have to drive far to get out of the city and be amidst the nature. Every road branching off from the highway has something interesting to offer. And my idea of a weekend getaway from Pune involves: Drive: 2 hours from both Pune Mumbai Story A middle aged couple from Mumbai who decided to leave the busy world of advertising and settle permanently amidst Mother Nature Food: Chicken cooked with red hot stones Exploration: A secret waterfall with no name lots more ..... And thus came along Banyan Bliss a rustic homestay around 100 kms from both Pune and Mumbai, but feels like another world. Sitting on top of a hill The place looks straight out of a storybook a huge banyan tree, a tiny lotus pond, cozy rustic cottages and an amazing view of the valley Plus it comes with a bonus No mobile network. Trust me its a blessing :
E3 Dehene Hidden Village
18 February 2021
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7 min
An idyllic village at the foothills of the Sahayadris, Dehene is located a mere 160kms from Pune and around 200 Kms from Mumbai. Lying deep inside a forest in Maharshtra, this is one of the places that is still not on the commercial tourism map and can truly be called an offbeat destination of Maharashtra. Because instead of sightseeing tours and star hotels, it offers an experience of living with the villagers and tracing the journey of your food. Staying with a local family not only provides insights into the village life and the concept of rural tourism in India but also a peek into their lifestyle, traditions and struggles. Rural experiences like these, have been made possible by an award winning social enterprise and a responsible travel company called Grassroutes. In a way they adopt these villages, train them in hospitality and enable an alternate livelihood opportunity for them. The days spent here were a remarkable example of experiential learning. While our contribution helps the villagers to supplement their agricultural income, they showcased how to smile and keep the show running amidst all the struggles. May be this what we call the pursuit of happiness :
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