Luxury Holiday Mumbai

This horseshoe-shaped avenue is hugged by a bay-front promenade where most of Mumbai seems to gather at night. The lights along this avenue sparkle like a queen's necklace, thus the nickname. Walk the promenade and see Sikhs in maharajah costumes pedalling rides on their chrome carriages and watch children toss sticks of burning incense over the shimmering water.

The main tourist area of Mumbai, Colaba sprawls along the southern part of the city. The area is presided over by an amalgamation of colonial buildings erected over the past half millennium, reflecting English, Portuguese, and continental European styles. Wander past the art-deco style Regal theatre. Walk under the Gateway of India, a basalt arch overlooking the Arabian Sea, and go next door to explore the splendid Taj Mahal Palace & Tower Hotel.

Mumbai is an eclectic mix of Indian cuisines. While outside of India you may only have tried Indian Mughlai food (think kebabs, naan, and curries), Mumbai's food is influenced by Muslim, Parsi, Goan, Coastal, Gujarati, and South Indian cultures. Sample tasty parsi akuri cometh or ignore your diet entirely and try uber-rich butter chicken, a dish where chunks of chicken are marinated in yoghurt and spices, fried, and served with a butter cream sauce.

This historic railway terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus) is a perfect example of the meeting of two cultures. The architecture blends England's Victorian Gothic Revival architecture with traditional Indian architecture, complete with turrets, high arches, gables, elaborate porches, decorative corbels, and jutting gargoyles. Besides being something stunning to look at, it serves as the headquarters for Mumbai's Central Railways.

Ganesh Chaturthi is a Hindu festival in August or September, celebrating the birth of the beloved elephant-headed God, Ganesha. Local communities put up large idols of Ganesha and the streets are filled with laughter, music and drums.

Diwali, or the Festival of Lights, is celebrated in India during October by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists. A five-day celebration, coinciding with Hindu New Year, the festival celebrates new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. Diwali is a time of vivid colours, huge firework displays, twinkling lights and an excess of incredible food. A wonderful time to be in Mumbai.

Christmas is celebrated with fervour in Mumbai, and different religions have their own ways of celebrating. A lovely time of year to visit, find huge church masses, Christmas-themed parties and elaborate Christmas feasts.

Holi - The Festival of Colours - is one of India’s most popular festivals, celebrated all over the country with much colourful paint, mischief and dancing. The festival takes place in March, marking the coming of spring and good harvest and commemorating good over evil. Rajasthan, Mumbai and Goa are popular Holi destinations for tourists. Come with paint and expect to end the day dressed in colours!

Maha Shivratri is held annually in February, a Hindu festival honouring Lord Shiva and marking his marriage day. Temples are decorated, feasts are held, and the streets see processions of dancing, drums and singing. Wherever you are in India, join the revellers for their celebrations and get lost in the excitement.

Vada Pav is a vegetarian fast-food dish, consisting of a deep-fried potato dumpling, served in a bread bun with spicy garlic and green chutney. It is one of Mumbai’s most well-known dishes, found in street stalls all over the city.

Pav Bhaji is another iconic street dish from Mumbai - a thick, spicy vegetable curry served with a bread roll. To sample the best Pav Bhaji, simply observe where the majority of the locals eat.

A savoury snack, made of puffed rice, vegetables and a tangy tamarind sauce. Bhel Puri is often identified with the beaches of Mumbai, such as Chowpatty or Juhu.