Hyderabad - a different but exciting holiday experience! (Hyderabad)

Member Name: BOUNTY_HUNTER

Product:	Hyderabad
Date:	25/10/00 (207 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: traditional yet modern, historical, exciting, great cuisine

Disadvantages: none really, dusty?, traffic?

Hyderabad or Hyderabad Deccan as it is sometimes known is found in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India.

If you want a ‘different’ place to visit in India other than Bombay, Shimla,hill stations in Northern India etc, then Hyderabad is definitely different. It is situated more or less in central southern part of India. It is not a hill station of picturesque beauty but a modern thriving city full of charms and surprises. This is where BIRYANI originates from and believe me you will not taste such authentic 'Hyderabadi biryani' anywhere outside Hyderabad, made with pure saffron and basmati rice!! (apart from home cooked biryani in peoples houses).

It is a mixture of modern influences with memories of the past whereby the Nizams ruled that part of India. It has a wealth of old palaces and beautiful architecture, though sadly many of the palaces are in ruins.

More recently, it has become known as the hi-tech city of India due to its fast developing software and web developers. Bill Gates & Microsoft have recently opened its first office in India there, investing $50 million .

Hyderabad is booming with an interesting array of modern buildings, alongside the old, yet beautiful ‘moghul’ architecture. There are still remains of some British architecture when they ruled there too. Places of interest include the many old beautiful Palaces, such as Chiran Palace, QUTUB SHAHI Tombs, GOLCONDA FORT, Charminar (this is in old part of city).

Hyderabad is famous for pearls and there are many pearl shops and other jewellery shops. Ladies, when visiting parts of old city it is sensible to dress modestly even if it is scorching hot.

If you get a chance to drive out to suburbs of city you have to eat out in a DHABA (this is a place whereby usually long distance lorry drivers make their stop on long journeys, like the services in UK), however the food is excellent and freshly prepared. It is coo
ked open air, on open fire, its delicious. These have become popular with families too as the food is delicious and the surrounding spacious and cool.

Other places to visit:If you happen to visit Hyderabad in the month of January, you must visit the HYDERABAD EXHIBITION, this is an outdoor exhibition which takes place once a year throughout the month of January. Here, merchants and vendors from all over India come to sell their exhibits, from Indian Silks, Handicrafts from Mysore, ornaments, Kashmiri Carpets, Jewellery from Rajesthan etc etc.

Anything else you may wanna know.... Well, I warn you the traffic is bizarre!! I don’t think nowhere in the same city would you expect to find the latest Mercedes Benz, alongside cycle rickshaws, auto rickshaws, buses, cycles, buffalos (yes, buffalos march calmly down the busy streets, completely undeterred by the busy traffic!!) bullock carts, and the odd march of cows through rush hour… It is an interesting array of modern influences and historical and traditional charms. Not your usual touristy place.

Getting there? 8 hour flight to Bombay, then a short (1hr) internal flight to Hyderabad, there are direct flights with Air India, but my personal experience is not too good with that airline!!

There a range of hotels to stay in from budget to many 3* and the city boosts of two 5 star hotels, and in India 5 Star hotels are just excellent and don’t cost anywhere near European rates and are very reasonable in price. Of course, there are loads of other accommodation options, if you know people out there… they are only too pleased to let you stay.

Well worth a visit!!

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