বহু দিন ধ’রে, বহু ক্রোশ দুরে; বহু ব্যয় করি বহু দেশ ঘুরে

দেখিতে গিয়েছি পর্বতমালা, দেখিতে গিয়েছি সিন্ধু।

দেখা হয় নাই চক্ষু মেলিয়া, ঘর হতে শুধু দুই পা ফেলিয়া;

একটি ধানের শিষের উপর একটি শিশিরবিন্দু।।

Rabindranath Tagore

The traveller that is in me always wanted something fascinating, something extraordinary, something that I experienced never before. And that is why I keep travelling around the world. As Famous Bengali poet Rabindranath said in above poem – “I have been travelling to all distant places, by spending huge money to see mountain ranges or oceans. However, near my home just at a distance of two steps we have beautiful nature that I have not seen.”

Challenges to anyone while selecting a destination are many. This increases when there is a family involved.

My family consists of my aged retired parents, my wife and child. All of different age groups and different tastes. I remember what Francis Bacon said about travel –

Travel in the younger sort, is a part of education; in the elder, a part of experience.

Obviously the choices differ. My four-year old son loves parks, zoo etc. My parents want to go to temples. Me and my wife both love museums, historical monuments etc. Also my child and old parents can’t walk for too long and hence I need to keep everyone’s health in consideration while making any travel plans. Rabindranath is always an inspiration for us and he showed the right path to me. What about visiting the places of interests in Hyderabad? and I got all places of interest in one single city.

Plan

Since I live in Hyderabad, I will have to make the entire plan on road and hire a cab for the same. My family and parents will arrive at Shamsabad airport by flight and will take rest on the first day. Next for another five days we will have our grand celebration at Hyderabad. The plan will be something like this –

This trip would include park, water body, laser show, light and sound show, temples, zoo and a lot of food and entertainment. Something for everyone.

Day 1

Salar Jung Museum

After early morning breakfast we will start from our house at 9 am by cab.

This museum has a fascinating 1856 clock that charms every visitor

if not the Rebecca statue or other equally amazing artefacts.

Lunch
We will have our lunch in a restaurant to Mozamzahi market and eat ice-cream from Famous Ice Cream Shop. Their special assorted ice cream is a delicacy for anyone traveling that side. We will also not forget to buy designer ‘Hukkas’ from Mozhamzahi Market –
 

After lunch, we will proceed to see Purani Haveli, Chowmahala Palace, and Charminar. The heart of Hyderabad.

Not to forget the marketing bangles from the ‘Lad Bazar’, chappal from the ‘Omani Footwear’ and pearls from the local pearl shops. Night dinner will be Bamboo Rice and Pakistani Mutton from Sadab near Charminar.

Day 2

This day will be completely spent in Ramoji Film City. I am sure our child will enjoy various rides and those special shows. Lunch and snacks will be inside. The day will end with the stunt show there –

Day 3

On Day 3 we will go to Hyderabad zoo. The zoo is something that is liked by all, including older people. In the afternoon we will visit the Golconda Fort. We will also see the ‘Light and Sound’ Show there. My wife especially likes Big B’s voice.

Day 4

This will be a long day for us as this day will start early in the morning and will stretch till 9 pm in the evening. My parents will like the visit to Birla temple, while we will enthusiastically wait for rides and fun games at NTR park. The entire evening will be spent in the Lumbini park with adventure games, visit the Buddha statue or the ‘Laser Show’ in the evening. The tiring day will end at 8:45 pm after the English show ends.

Day 5

The last day of our travel will be deliberately kept simple and hassle-free. My parents would like the Chilkur Balaji Temple visit as they want to pray for their grandson’s well being. They will have to take 108 rounds there. We will spend almost the whole morning there and will take our lunch outside the temple. Mrugavani National Park is a small park that is on the way to Gachibowli. We will have a spectacular view of deer and other animals in the wild. Evening time will be spent in Shilparamam and buy artifacts from there. It has got market from all over India and it is a special tourist delight for everyone. In the evening we will enjoy the cultural program by the local artists and will come home after our dinner from the Hi-Tech city 4-Seasons  restaurant. We love the special Tangri Kabab they prepare there.

These are the reasons why I will take my family to a trip to Hyderabad from Kolkata-

1.  My parents do not know English. I need to take them to a place where they can at least manage with Hindi and Hyderabad is the place for them.

1. The place we visit should not be too hot or too cold so that my family members fall ill. So Hyderabad during Aug – Sep is the best place.

2. Hyderabad weather is most pleasant specially during Aug / Sep. I will take them to these places so that they can enjoy a hassle-free travel in the most pleasant weather.

3. Hyderabad has the widest variety of food available. Not only the shahi kinda food but also Mexican. Italian, Chinese or even Bengali foods are available in many places in Hyderabad.

4. My parents are old people and may fall sick any time during their travel. Hyderabad has best and most economic medical centres to treat patients.

5. The kind of variety Hyderabad offers for all age group people is awesome, and there can not be a second choice to this place.

6. Our (my wife’s and mine) favourite shopping destination is Hyderabad. Here artifacts are available from all over India in Shilparamam. Bangles from Lad Bazar, Chappals from Omani Footwear, Ice cream or Faluda or Badam Shake from the old city, Intricate art forms Bidri ware or minakari or Zari work is best available here. Women’s favourite saris Pochampalli, Zardousi, Gadwal and other types of silks are available in best forms in the shops of Ameerpet or Abids. For my parents I have the most awakened GOD, the Chilkur Balaji in Hyderabad. For my kid I have the zoo and the Ramoji Film City or the Snow World in the city. For young couples we have innumerable places to shop, party and have fun. And last but not the least, all these we can get at a very economical price.

So, if I would like to take my family anywhere on the globe, it would be my present hometown, that welcomes everyone so easily that they feel at home in no time.

Welcome to my hometown! Hyderabad is calling, Hyderabad is rocking.