Category Archives: Cityseeker Guides

Top Must-See Places in Meghalaya, India

Meghalaya’s wondrous rain drenched landscape. (Source: Rajesh Dutta @ Flickr)

By Advaita Raut

Fondly termed as ‘the abode of the clouds’, this magical northeastern state lives up to its name and how. From wind-sculpted cliffs and a vibrant culture, to cascading rice terraces and gossamer waterfalls, Meghalaya is nature’s gift that keeps giving.

They say, to truly experience the magic of Meghalaya, you must visit it twice. Once, during the monsoons, when rains spectacularly lash this rustic land, deepening its verdure with every shower; a time when waterfalls gush with a renewed fervor, and the land awakens to the call of the skies. The other time is during the winters, when the place holds you in a rapture unlike any other. Warmed beautifully by the mellow winter sun, vast, gold fields yawn lazily under a bright blue halo of skies. All around the year however, the East Khasi and West Jaintia hills roll endlessly and languidly, beckoning you to explore hidden corners.

Here is a list of places you must add to your itinerary on your visit to Meghalaya.

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Vineyards of the Deccan Plateau – A Cityseeker Guide

(Source: Public Domain)

By Mili Doshi

The fact that the Deccan Plateau is known as a veritable “El Dorado” of vineyards, wineries and wine resorts is rather unsurprising. However, one only has to look beyond the much exalted terrains of Nashik, Pune and Sangli to unearth the seemingly unsung vineyards of Karnataka, which over the years, have begun to cause quite a stir in the Indian winemaking industry. What we have today is a tapestry of superlative wines birthed on the undulating, soil-rich landscapes of Nandi Valley, Krishna Valley and Kaveri Valley. Once the ground of monumental South Indian empires and legends, the state of Karnataka has transformed into what now stands as one of the country’s pioneering wine-growing regions, foreshadowing flourishing times ahead which could put Indian wines on the international radar. Without further ado, we take you through the many vineyards of the state.

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FIFA World Cup 2018 – A Cityseeker Guide

By Nitin Chandran

Gear Up For The Greatest Spectacle on Earth!

The moment that football (and soccer) fans from all over the globe have been waiting for will kick off on the 14th of June in the heart of Russian Federation. The FIFA World Cup is the world’s most-watched sporting event and has been capturing the imagination of billions since its inception in 1930.

Russia will be hosting the world’s top 32 teams who will be giving it their all in a bid to get a glimpse of gold. Just like the Olympics, the world cup is organized every four years and is assigned its host by the autonomous body known as the FIFA Executive Committee. Russia came through as the most-deserving candidate to host the latest installment of this revered tournament, fending off stiff competition from its rivals in Portugal, Spain, Netherlands, and Belgium.

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Dubai – A History Unveiled

By Arwa Nakara

A world-class tourist destination known for its innovative architecture, spectacular amusements and luxury resorts, Dubai’s rich, native culture is often overshadowed by the glitz of its contemporary facade. Yet, it is the humble beginnings of this prosperous Emirate that lends Dubai its unique flavor.

It was with the discovery of oil in 1966, along with the visionary leadership of Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, that Dubai’s meteoric rise began. Nevertheless, the emirate has carefully preserved markers of its past, most commonly seen along both banks of the Dubai Creek. To the north, Deira and its bustling markets beckon to the curious traveler. An invaluable resource, the Creek is where Dubai originally took root as a pearling, fishing and trade port; it’s wind-swept teal waters still plied by colorful boats.

Here’s a list of must-visit historic sites along the Creek that unveil a very different side of Dubai.

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The Cultural Gems of New Orleans: A Cityseeker Guide

(Original Image Source: marchinileo0)

By Mili Doshi

The sheer charm and eclecticism of New Orleans is nearly impossible to gauge from a bird’s eye view. Boasting a booming arts scene and a seamless merger of African and Franco-American influences, there is more to the ‘Crescent City’ than meets the eye. From multicolored Creole townhouses and speakeasy cafés that line its winding thoroughfare to centuries-old mansions like the LaLaurie that validate its antiquity, New Orleans is a city waiting to be devoured, a vibrant little world which is a brilliant union of culture, history and ‘The Big Easy’ way of life. Alongside, a long-standing Jazz heritage dominates its soundscape and vivacious festivals like Mardi Gras and the Jazz & Heritage Festival attest to its carnivalesque tenor.

A striking testimony to the city’s vivid canvas of cultures, colors, cuisine and heartwarming architecture, are its pockets–the quaint and seemingly obscure neighborhoods that embody the splendor of New Orleans, breathing life and a new-found charisma into its very fabric. With each dramatically distinct from the other, we have marshaled a list of the city’s neighborhoods to saunter through.

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