10:13

Want to study abroad? Get started with CollegeDunia.com

Hey guys! How have you all been? It has been so long since I wrote out what has been on my mind. So let’s start now!

Have you noticed that every few months the focus of everyone changes? No!? Okay, let me explain. So, right now it is the festive season’s festivities and shopping which is on most people’s minds. A couple months later it will be holidays and resolutions. And similarly, there is the exam season followed by the college admission period.

Now, why am I talking about this? That is because of a personal quest I have been on since a couple of months now, and have finally found a helpful solution for that, thanks to the CollegeDunia.com’s StudyAbroad plans {Check it out for yourself}!

So then, let me tell you how it has helped me with my dilemma. Let’s be honest not all of us are completely clear about what we are looking for when it comes to courses to take for Bachelors or even masters degree. I know I was super confused for my bachelor’s. And that especially elevates when you are looking for a college program at a foreign country, preferably with a scholarship.

Are we on the same page till now guys? So, yeah. Foreign country, need scholarship and need some time to decide what to study at which college and don’t forget some guidance as well. As simple as it might look, it is absolutely daunting to go through all of the points on this checklist of studying abroad.

But before we dive into all of that with the help of college dunia, let us first see why we might want to study abroad. What is your motivation, let me know in the comments.

For me, the first pointer will definitely be my chance to travel to and stay in a new country and explore everything. Second, definitely will be a good chance of getting a job there itself.

Yeah, it might be funny for a lot of people, but the course has to be good and worth everything and that is kind of implicit.

Coming back to the actual topic in hand, how to be clear what to do. One word. Guidance. That is what you and I need to be clear on

- Which course to take?
- Which college will be the best option?
- What are the exams I’ll need to take to qualify for the maximum number of universities and colleges?
- How do I prep for the said exams and the entry after the tests?
- What are the Visa rules in the shortlisted countries?
- Will I need to learn a new language in order to stay and survive?

And these are only just the tip of the iceberg, the huge iceberg being all the questions we’ll have in mind. But like I said, Guidance, especially Guidance from experts in this field is exactly what will help you and I, tackle this.

College Dunia has a complete working setup, of taking you through the whole process of guidance from counsellors, each of them having a substantial amount of experience, in helping students study abroad.

How do you get started on this?

My suggestion will be to use the tools that they have, and start searching for your perfect college, from the expansive detailed information they have of colleges across different countries on CollegeDunia.com.

Steps they will help you with

Next, read through the helpful articles they have which will help you decide your next step, which is making the decision of studying abroad

Once you are clear and are confirm that you would want to go for a course abroad and maybe also the countries which you would like to go for, Go ahead and register.

Yep, you can register by providing just a bit of information, like what type of degree you are looking for. If you have taken any test like IELTS, TOEFL, etc and your personal details. That will be enough to get you started for a 1 on 1 guidance from the counsellors.

All you and I will need to do in this case is to take the first step and the rest of the counselling and decision making will be smooth sailing from there onwards.

So what are you waiting for, I hope you are excited enough now to get started on your journey to study in a foreign country and I can’t wait to hear from you about your experience with CollegeDunia! I sure am looking forward to my experience with them!

Loads of love and all the best people! ,

Priyanjana

22:18

How to explore Pondicherry on a budget || MNSTRAVELS

Hey there! I hope you are hereafter deciding to catch a quick break from your routines and escape to a peaceful place, and what better than Pondicherry for a quick getaway. Especially if you are travelling from anywhere in South India. So here is my guide if you are looking to explore Pondicherry on a Budget.

I personally love Pondicherry for a weekend getaway and I have been there multiple times. The serene streets of white streets, the calmness at the rock beach promenade and the surfers and blue waves at the serenity beach makes it a perfect getaway.

Here is what I do every time I travel from Bangalore to Pondicherry on a budget.

How to get to Pondicherry on a budget?

From Bangalore, I take an overnight bus which usually cost around 800 INR for a sleeper and around 650 INR for Semi sleeper AC buses, Private or State Transport. So getting to Puducherry from Bangalore in a budget is pretty easy. You can also drive down there, but that won't be a budget-friendly trip. But, if you are planning a trip to Pondicherry from Delhi it is not going to be that easy too!

From Delhi or Kolkata or Bombay, Take a flight to Chennai and take a bus from Chennai to Pondicherry, which usually takes 2 hours and 200 rupees.

Where to stay in Pondicherry?

Best bet on a budget is to stay at the ashram guest house, but for that, you need to follow quite a few rules and curfews, but It is more than worth because of the people there, the location and price!

If you want to stay at a hotel, I suggest book online, look out for options near the Pondicherry bus stand. There is a couple of reason why I would suggest this. The Promenade is walk-able from the bus stand, around 1.5 km and about 900 meters to the market to rent bikes.

So you save on the around 400 INR coming and going to the bus stand, sometimes per person even {during holiday seasons}

And second, cause you can leave your luggage at the hotel, {which is near the stand} and go around for as long as you want after checking out and freshen up before boarding the bus, at a decent restroom, while you go for picking up the luggage. But, do make sure you don't leave anything expensive there.

But if you want to relax at the lap of luxury, try getting a reservation at the promenade hotel or a few around the Promenade area. Thankfully, there are a lot of hotels in Pondicherry, especially in this area, so you have quite a few options to chose from.

And if you are a gipsy soul, a few beautiful air-bnbs in the same area, filled with lush green plants and an old-world charm might be the best fit for you.

Now the most important thing,

What to do in Pondicherry on a budget?

Relax!! Relax!! Relax!!

I love to do just that sitting on the serenity beach or the promenade. But there is something for everyone there.

- Visit Auroville, see how a society like that can exist, if you have got time try to arrange a stay there. Explore the cheeses made locally, the fresh food as well.

- If you are into surfing, then serenity beach is the spot to stay for you. Stay for a week, plan to get enrolled in surfing schools. You might have to plan this a bit ahead.

- Explore the town, the French Quarter is beautiful, the city itself is dotted with beautiful with churches and temples in the Tamil part of the city. It has a balance of peace and quiet and the everyday Indian hustle-bustle and makes it that more dynamic.

- Don't forget the lip-smacking fresh food, you want gelato, no problem, wood fire pizzas, no worries, you want to try some authentic south Indian food, don't worry about that at all! You will be surprised, how many types of foods you can try at the various artsy cafes and restaurants.

- Lastly, for all the shoppers! Look for minimal designs, cotton clothes, beautiful pieces for your home at boutiques located in the White town and apart from that, look out for cheeses to bring home!

I am super happy to post a travel blog after so long! Let me know what you think of this post and if at all you actually venture out to explore Pondicherry on a budget after reading this, I'd love to know if it helped you!

Loads of love,

Priyanjana

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Wonderful Ideas to travel on a budget!

23:46

A weekend Staycation At The Crowne Plaza, Chennai || MNSTravels

Let me start by saying that I have a bunch of pending travel blogs, but I guess starting from the latest is the best and why shouldn’t I! It was a relaxing staycation after all, at the heart of Chennai, Crowne Plaza Adyar Park. The Crowne Plaza in Chennai is a great place to be, be it for food or to stay at the prime location it is situated in. I stayed at the hotel and dined at all of their restaurants during the weekend I spent there staycation-ing! Let me take you through the whole experience!

Starting with the comfortable rooms. I stayed in a room with no smoking policy and they also have rooms where you can smoke, if you are on a lookout for that. The plush furniture accompanied by the bed is perfect to sit down and have a nice cup of coffee. They also provide some fruits to welcome you! The compact study table and the tables are a live saver along with the dual cupboard space. The best part about the rooms? The light settings, with just a touch of a button, if you are reading, you can change the light setting with just a button, and if you are in a mood to relax, then there is a setting for that as well.

The hotel is also equipped with a 24-hour gym for anyone who doesn’t want to lose out on fitness while relaxing. Or if you want to relax by the pool and take a dip, you can do that as well. I couldn’t because I was too full of all the good food I had! What stood out for me about Crowne plaza is the amalgamation of old south Indian architecture with modern age décor. This stands true for their restaurants as well.

I am starting with the restaurant I absolutely loved, Dakshin. This award-winning restaurant is worthy of every praise it has received. The food – Lip-smacking, ambience and décor – Magnificent and in touch with Indian roots, the live musicians add a layer of beauty to the already magnificent place and the hospitality – unparalleled! I didn’t for once feel that I was dining at a restaurant, but at a close friend’s house and it was not only with me, everyone dining there was giving the same attention. A must visit if you are in Chennai!

A completely different and on the modern side of the hotel’s charm is On the rocks, a restaurant which caters to a contemporary palate with a flair. They literally mean On the rocks, because you can see your food getting ready for you on the table, in front of yourself!

You can don a chef’s hat and make your meal. They also pair a variety of wines with your choice of meat. I went in with a lamb as my meat of choice and it was paired with a bold red wine. A perfect place for a date night out. The signature drinks are not be missed.

Dakshin at Crowne Plaza Chennai

Happy face after my lunch at Dakshin

I also tried the Sunday Brunch at The Residency, located at the ground level near the lobby.
The regal appearance is sure to amaze you. Moreover, there were sketch artists & balloon animals for children & a wide variety of items to choose from the buffet. There are Appam, Pasta, Grill & Panipuri live counters to name a few. It is an elaborate affair & it’s perfect for Sunday family lunches. I enjoyed sparkling wine with my brunch.

Lastly, as expected the breakfast buffet comes with the room. The breakfast is served at their all-day dining resto-café: Cappuccino. The breakfast buffet is at par with other experiences I’ve had & it has a combination of Juices, baked food, South Indian breakfast items, meats (sausages, bacon) & also stir-fried Chinese items. I absolutely loved their eggs benedict with Salmon.

Dinner Ready at On the rocks, Crowne plaza Chennai

The best Mushroom soup I have ever had! I can visit Chennai only for this!

That more or less wraps up my 2 day staycation & the only thing left to say is that I want more! I had loads of fun and food and would love to do the same, when back in Chennai again!

Do let me know what you guys think of this & if you visit Chennai, do visit (if not for the stay, then definitely for the food). If are in Chennai, for your US Visa, then this might be the best hotel to stay at!

If you have any questions at all about the hotel or my stay drop me a mail at priyanjanamns@gmail.com and I will reply ASAP! Or maybe share your staycation experiences?

Will be posting my staycation vlog on my Youtube channel this week, which includes a tour of my room and the hotel and everything else , stay tuned for that!! Any thoughts on the vintage-y edits of the pictures on this blog ?

Love,

Priyanjana

10:30

How to see the USA differently: a travel guide

If you’re looking for a country full of diversity, excitement and natural wonder, there’s nowhere else in the world that surpasses the USA. But instead of sticking to the norm, why not escape to the city’s lesser-travelled regions? Here are just some of the ways to see the USA differently on your travels.

Road tripping Route 66

It’s a road trip unlike any other – Route 66, also known as the “Mother Road”, is perhaps the most cherished thing in the entirety of the States. The near-4,000km long road runs from Chicago to Santa Monica, passing through seven states on the way.

You’ll be seeing some weird and wonderful sights on your journey, too. From the infamous Lou Mitchell’s diner in Chicago as you begin your trip, to the Santa Monica Pier where Route 66 ends, you’ll find incredible installations and attractions along the way – be sure to stop at the Kan-o-Tex service station in Dallas to see Tow Tater, the inspiration for the Disney/Pixar movie Cars.

Visiting Disneyland in California

You’ll be foolish to miss out on a trip to Disneyland – even just for a day. There’s a reason it’s so popular with tourists from far and wide, and that’s because they’re truly magic regardless of your age. As soon as you see the castle, the centrepiece of the parks, you’ll be helplessly overcome.

People often flock to Florida’s Walt Disney World, what with the Magic Kingdom and the technological wonders of Epcot amongst much more – but California’s Disneyland was the first to open, therefore having that historic edge. Visit here to ride the iconic California Screamin’ coaster before it closes next year – it’s a staple of American culture to this day.

Escape to the beaches

There’s simply no denying the beaches in the USA are to die for. From the luxury of the secluded Florida Keys to the popular Pacific shores in Los Angeles, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to potential beach holidays. For the former, ride the Overseas Highway across the archipelago to discover some beautiful beaches dotted in the turquoise seas.

In Los Angeles, however, the beaches are more populous – understandable, considering just how desirable they are. From Venice Beach to Zuma in Malibu, it won’t be a challenge discovering a beautiful stretch of sand to frolic upon.

Do a city break in Chicago

Whether it's the bright lights of New York City, the dazzling glamour and hedonistic parties of Las Vegas or the famed Hollywood and the surrounding LA boroughs, the USA boasts plenty of cities ready to give you the city break of a lifetime (source: 1Cover). But Chicago is wildly underrated by tourists from overseas despite its sheer abundance of things to do and see.

Food is absolutely one of Chicago’s greatest exports, with the delicious deep-dish pizza being perhaps the city’s most famous meal. The debate rages on as to whether it’s a pizza or a pie, but regardless it’s one of the tastiest things you’ll ever eat.

Elsewhere, the Willis Tower’s Skydeck has a glass floor for you to brave for unparalleled views of the city below, Wrigley Field is the place to go for any sports fans, and the Lincoln Park Zoo is perfect for a cheap day out—you don’t have to pay a dollar to go in.

Ride the California Zephyr

In a similar vein to Route 66, this train travels from San Francisco to Chicago – but you don’t have to worry about driving. The California Zephyr is a train ride unlike any other, taking you through some of the most scenic parts of the country including the snowy regions of Colorado, the desert plains of Utah and the small-town surroundings of Nevada to name just a few.

It isn’t exactly luxury, but that means you’ll be saving a lot of money and seeing a whole lot of the USA while you do it. There’s no denying the Zephyr is a culturally important part of the country, being frequented by locals and tourists alike – don’t miss out on this historic attraction.

11:28

Top 5 Travel Destinations Of 2018, In India!

When you are in a blessed country like India then there is no need for you go visit other countries for tourism purposes. From Spiti valley in the north to the Alleppey in the south, there is no dearth of exotic locations in the country to entice you and offer you a retreat that you deserve. Irrespective of what your desire is, India has unique places reserved for your next trip. From enchanting beaches to eternal desert regions, from soothing rain forests to best architectural temples, from rich historic cities to charming hill stations – you will find them all in this country!

List of 5 exclusive destinations to travel in 2018 in India

We have curated a special list of five destinations for you from India. These are unique in every way and will definitely please the travellers who are hungry for some fun and excitement in life. Don’t worry about the accommodations as you will find lots of them. For instance, there are cosy hotels in Dalhousie, boathouses in Kerala, cottages in Goa, and palaces in Udaipur.

Have a look –

1. Goa

The smallest state of India but the most energetic region of India tops the charts of exclusive travel destinations. Whether you are looking for an adventure trip or a romantic trip or a relaxing trip, Goa fits the bill well. This is one of the most happening beach destinations counted always on top not just in the list of India but also among foreign countries.

Besides strolling on the captivating beaches of Goa, you can explore the Portuguese culture, relish Goan delicacies, enjoy the nightlife, visit ancient churches, and feel the freedom in the air. What more can a tourist ask for?

2. Dalhousie

Remember the good old times of the 80s and 90s? Yes, the decades when everything was simple, no much pollution in the environment, friendly people, hills and valleys, old buses, and the melodious music. Well, you can relive those times when you visit Dalhousie. Even at this day, it is secluded from our stressful life and noisy cities. Undoubtedly, it is one of the best places to relax your senses and experience life without any traumas of the modern world.

You can relish simple kadi-chawal, momos, and kulfis, treat your eyes with the best natural surroundings, detox yourself from gadgets and enjoy trekking, and just admire nature. Sounds soothing? Then plan your travel now and find the best options for your next trip to Dalhousie.

3. Udaipur

If you wish to experience a royal life for some time then there can be no better place than Udaipur. Also known as the city of lakes, this city of Rajasthan is filled with lakes, historical monuments, and magnificent palaces. What’s more? There are ancient temples, lavish residences, and forts too. The colourful shopping markets and delicious cuisine will offer you surprises at every step.

You don’t have to visit Venice as Udaipur is called the Venice of the East. Once you explore Udaipur, you will not like to visit any foreign countries. You will be delighted.

4. Kerala

Kerala did not just get its name God’s own country, there are several reasons for it. You can only understand them when you step into this tropical paradise. It is a serene place where you can come across charismatic beaches, attractive hill stations, appetizing seafood, spellbound tea museums, and lots more. The backwaters of Kerala can mesmerise anyone with its beauty.

Take sufficient time from your busy schedule to explore the beautiful world of southern India by visiting Kerala.

5. Leh/Ladakh

If you want to experience heaven on earth then Leh Ladakh should be your final destination. It is the favourite place among the adventure junkies. Every place of this region can hypnotise the travellers with its wonder. Whether it is the Pangong Tso lake, Rohtang Pass, Tso Moriri, or Nubra Valley, you will love every bit of your life when you are here.

However, it is not the place for soft-hearted as it takes a lot of courage to travel through the deadline roads to reach Leh Ladakh. Nevertheless, it can be once in a lifetime experience if you do so.

What are you thinking? Reserve bookings, pack your bags and get set go.

11:00

MNSTravels || Delhi Darshan with a tight schedule

Hey everyone! I hope you have been doing well! This post is my last leg of the Himachal Pradesh trip! Now this one is all about my short and sweet Delhi Darshan! Yep, Delhi Darshan!

So, we started our trip from Delhi and ended up there too! After the places we visited in Himachal Pradesh, we drove down to Delhi. It is quite a journey but it was the most hectic within the city limits cause of the traffic! I would look for hotels in Gurgaon the next time I am there, because at least according to the maps, that would be better! If you are from Delhi, I would love to know your views!

Now, we had half a day before our flight and were super tired of all the travelling, so cut that half a day to very few hours. I honestly wanted to go to Sarojini Nagar to shop, but couldn’t get the time. So, we decided to only visit a couple iconic places and stay nearby the airport.

The places that fit the bill were only a few. I couldn’t even go to Chandni chowk to gobble up some delicious food!

So, first we headed to Red Fort. I wanted to visit Qutub Minar, Jantar Mantar and Agrasen Ki Baoli, but because of time constraints had to skip those altogether.

Red fort was nothing I ever expected, honestly! The thing is I didn’t have an audio guide/guide or any knowledge about the history. So, I just went around the beautiful place, simply gawking at the magnificence. Tried clicking some pictures, but I always had this clock inside my brain ticking, telling me to hurry up.

Made a note to self – not to go around a place, being all touristy, if I have to catch a flight later.

We had someone from Delhi to take us around, but he wasn’t very sure where to go in the limited time. So he took us to Raj Ghat *face palm*. We wandered around the place for a while, and then headed towards India Gate.

This was the place I finally loved! Though it was crowded, which was expected, I loved just being there. The iconic monument of the country in India awe-worthy! Had some street food from around there and, in my mind tried to make up for not visiting all the awesome food places in Delhi. After staying here for some time, we drove by the Rashtrapati Bhavan and the parliament. It was nice to see these places in real life, I had been looking at them on TV since time immemorial!

Was hardly able to keep my eyes open in the sun! Good night lovers! 😘😘 . . . Going to take up a new theme from the next post on Instagram! Hope you all like it! . #Delhi #RedFort #LahoriGate #travelblogger #sunny #ootd #wiwt #mnstravels #traveldiaries

A post shared by Priyanjana (@priyanjana) on Mar 7, 2017 at 7:37am PST

Next time I will make it a point to stay in Delhi for a couple of days or a week to experience the city’s charm! Because honestly, No one can understand what a city is all about, by just looking at a few buildings!

I might just stay for a long time at the Country Club, and get pampered and eat a lot, meet a lot of interesting people and have a great time! Because, from this you can understand, that I didn’t really have a great time. So, I am looking forward to my next proper visit!

Hope you liked reading this! If you are from Delhi, let me know where to stay, what to do, where to eat! So that, I can keep my “to-do” list ready for the next time!

Loads of love,

Priyanjana

11:00

Want to study abroad? Get started with CollegeDunia.com

How to explore Pondicherry on a budget || MNSTRAVELS

How to get to Pondicherry on a budget?

Where to stay in Pondicherry?

What to do in Pondicherry on a budget?

PIN THIS!

A weekend Staycation At The Crowne Plaza, Chennai || MNSTravels

How to see the USA differently: a travel guide

Top 5 Travel Destinations Of 2018, In India!

MNSTravels || Delhi Darshan with a tight schedule

The Kodaikanal Getaway || MNS Travels

MNSTravels || Himachal Pradesh Part 3 || McLeodganj & Naddi

MNSTravels || Himachal Pradesh Part 2 || Manali

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