Vadodara

Vadodara, a town in Gujarat in India, also known as Baroda, is named for the Vad (banyan) trees that flourish in the area. Understand The language spoken by people in Vadodara varies, but almost everyone speaks Gujarati and Hindi. Marathi community is also on a large scale in the city. Most young people speak passable English, and in certain areas you will meet people that are fluent in English. Alkapuri is heavily frequented by NRI's (non-resident Indians) and has western restaurants (Pizza Hut, McDonald's, Subway, CCD, Barista, Barbeque Nation etc.), stores (Adidas, Nike, Metro, etc.), etc. This area is frequented by highly affluent individuals and you can generally find English speaking people on a large scale. Recently the city has been attracting many International IT Companies to invest in the area to set up operational hubs, including L&T, Collabera, and TCS. Many people from IT centers in India like Bangalore prefer working here because of the simple life, but with all resources like schools, water and electricity. More information at the Vadodara's official page by Gujarat Tourism Get in By plane Vadodara's airport, also called Civil Airport Harni currently operates domestic flights only. Airlines like Air India, Jet Airways and Indigo operates direct flights to and from Delhi and Mumbai. The nearest international airport is Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport which is about 100 km away in Ahmedabad and is served by Air India, Emirates Airlines, Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines. By train The Vadodara Junction Railway Station (Indian Railways station code: BRC) is the busiest Railway Station in Gujarat. It is situated on the Mumbai - Delhi Western Railway Main Line. You can get premium trains like Shatabdi and Rajdhani from Vadodara towards Delhi and Mumbai. Humble Mail/Express Trains are also available which connect you to almost the entire country. Passenger Trains are also available which take you to small villages and towns nearby Vadodara and even in Gujarat. This railway station has 7 platforms. Exits from platform no. 1 to 5 and 7 will lead you to Sayajigunj, and exit from platform 6 will lead you to Alkapuri. Train schedules can be found at the Indian Railways website and tickets can be booked online at Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) webpage By car The National Highway no.8 passes through Baroda. It is connected by excellent roads. There is an express highway to Ahmedabad, and highway travel is fairly speedy by road, at least to other places in the western part of the country. Its going to be a 6 Lane road soon. taxiGUIDE.in (Baroda Car Rental), ☎ +91 888 023 4455 (support@taxiguide.in), [1]. Inquiry: 7am to 11pm. Baroda Car Rental services on taxiGUIDE.in - a Chauffeur Driven Car Rental service in 75 Cities in India. Fares start from Rs.1000 for full day local & Rs.8/km for Outstation.  edit By bus The main bus station is the STC bus station that is a stone's throw away from the railway station (Vadodara Junction). Non-airconditioned buses leave from here which connect you to all the parts of Gujarat and the major cities of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Maharashtra. Intercity Buses leave every 15 minutes to Ahmedabad, taking 2 hours on the expressway and costing Rs. 68 per person (Jun 08). These buses are available right opposite to the Vadodara Railway Station after crossing the Road opposite to the Station. Bus timetable and online booking at Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) webpage. By boat Vadodara can be accessed by travelling in river Mahi in a boat from Savli. Get around Local transport consists mainly of City Buses and three-wheelers called auto-rickshaws which are very cheap and easily available. Always insist on meter usage and the rate payable is 10 times the amount shown plus 1. (for example, if it shows 2.80, the fare is 28+1 = 29Rs for a 4-5km journey). The fare is meter reading plus 5. An extra Rs 5 is charged if there are 4 passengers. The VITCOS City Buses take you to all parts of the city and the VITCOS Bus Stand is right opposite to the Railway Station. The buses are very comfortable and cheap. It costs Re. 1/- per 1.2 km. Bus routes can be found here. See Visit the Fatehsingh museum and Laxmi Vilas Palace, to view several Raja Ravi Verma originals- the royal family of Baroda has a notable collection of his works. Apart from these, there are many art works of masters collected and commissioned by Maharaja Sayajirao. If you are art lover, keep aside a day for the palace and museum. The museum itself is in the palace premises. The EME temple in Vadodara is quite serene. It has been built by the Military and one can enjoy a pleasant hour in its premises. Vadodara has an excellent golf course- "The Gaekwad Baroda Golf Club". -- The world famous Maharaja Sayajirao University (MSU) is in Baroda and has one of the largest campuses in Gujarat.-- Travel to Sankheda near Baroda to see the making of lovely lacquer coated furniture. Travel to Pavagadh-Champaner to be at a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and see the remains of medieval mosques and a medieval city whose architecture is special because it was islamic buildings executed by Hindu and Jain workmen...a very unique style. Pavagadh Kalika mandir is a must see place. You may hire local taxi or auto to reach Manchi which is 5 km from Pavagadh. There is State bus facility every hour from Pavagadh to Manchi. At Manchi-Get a Ropeway (Udan Khatola in hindi) ticket (Rs.98/- to and fro)one of the best ropeways in India. After getting down from ropeway, climb 250 step to kalika mandir. Check out the Tribal Academy at Tejgarh. Do There are quite a few sights worth taking a look at such as the Lakshmi Vilas Palace and the old zoo. If you're headed here plan a trip that lasts not more than three days because then you'll run out of things to do. And because of the fact that it is cosmopolitan, infrastructurally decent and well connected by rail, road and air, this is a good place to have as your 'hub' and make day trips to other places. S-Cube Water Park, Opp. Ajwa Lake, Near Vrundavan Garden, ☎ +91 999 899 0933, [2]. 11:00 am - 7:00 pm. Water Park with many slides, family pool, wave pool and six cuisine restaurant.  edit Learn If you want to learn anything related to the arts, Baroda is a good place to be - you can learn classical dance, pottery, whatever ... fairly inexpensively and from good teachers. Work Vadodara has companies like L&T,Xylem water solutions,IOCL,ABB, GSFC, ONGC, IPCL (now Reliance), Bombardier, General Motors,Kemrock, Alembic and Jyoti. Many other petrochemical companies like GACL and pharma cos like Sun Pharma, Alembic and Sarabhai of the city are also well known. It is also considered as good location for IT companies with coming SEZ. Also, a new biotech park is coming up in the city. Quickstart Global has set-up its operations in City as well and have provided employment to more than 800 people. Buy Camel leather and related arts of embedding pure gold and stone colors, on camel leather and hide vessels are well known here. Visit Nava Bajar area for cloth and handicraft shopping. Eat There are plenty of eateries in and around the city and getting good food is not a problem. Eggetarian delights @ Raju Omlet, in Karelibaug and newely opened in VIP Rd. Chaat at Mirch Masala. Most popular Biryani at Millenium Restaurant (Fatheganj & Alkapuri) Frankies recommended at Frigtemp (Fatheganj, Karelibaug & Old Padra Road) Vishal Sandwich, near Baroda High School in Alkapuri. Try their Samosa Sandwich. Goodies in Sayajiganj, Makarpura, Fatehganj and Natubhai Circle are favorite hangouts for youngsters apart for their bakery delights & junk food! BARISTA LAVAZZA COFFEE BAR- Have italian cofee Kalyan Restaurant, near the Railway station and the Central Bus Station. Here you can get a variety of food choices from Chinese to continental along with Chats, South Indian foods etc. Its a self service restaurant with good quality food. The best thing is the sizzler at the very low price of 130 Rs and good in taste! Dairy Den, Sayajigunj area(Near the railway station). This is Baroda's first ice cream parlor that serves soft cones. You can enjoy a variety of flavors over here. City South Corner, in Karelibaug. Good variety of South Indian's vegetarian food. Mahakali Sev Usal Delicious Sev Usal near Kirti Stambh, Old City,Vadodara Vanity - At Sayajigunj near railway station; tasty non-vegetarian food Jay Gurudev Restaurant Delicious Gujrati Thali at 7 Golden Trade Center, near ST Bus Stand,Railway station,Vadodara Pooran Singh's kababs and parathas near the Barista Lavazza coffee bar by the Chakli Circle at Race Course Road. He's an ex-Welcomgroup chef who runs his own place now Nayab at Akota recommended for non-veg fare Fabia. Nayaab, delicious non-veg foods, from Chinese to great tandoori.  edit Baba Food Centre, Opp Bhavan `s School (Makarpura Road), ☎ 9879660881. 8-2;6-10. Punjabi,Chinese food. Gujarati thali at lunch very reasonable.  edit Fiorella Italian Restaurant, 18/19 ALKAPURI SOCIETY, VADODARA 390007, GUJARAT, INDIA., ☎ 912653099000, [3]. 11:00 till 15:00 ; 19:00 till 23:00. Fiorella is a lounge style Ristorante and Pizzeria serving traditional Italian cuisine, along with elegant ambience & trendy lounge music.  edit Bayleaf restaurant, 18/19 Alkapuri Society, ☎ 2653099000, [4]. . 11:00 till 15:00 ; 19:00 till 23:00.. Bayleaf welcomes with an aroma of the traditional Indian and Chinese spices!  edit In the Mid-range Hotel Sayaji - Offers buffet at Rs. 250 on weekdays and at Rs. 275 on Sundays. You get non-vegetarian delicacies also. For people who prefer something other than buffet, there is a rooftop restaurant. Ginger Hotel - Offers breakfast & buffet at Rs.175 & Rs.280 respectively. Havmor in Sayajigunj (Near railway station) & now also at Old Padra Road - Offers excellent variety in non-vegetarian delicacies. Plus they have there own Havmor ice-cream joint outside. Try Cookie Crunch or Coffee flavoured one - they are the ones to fall for. Zaika - Good taste. Recommended for non-vegetarian food. At Old Padra Road Periyaar - The only award winning restaurant of the city and the only place where you get non vegetarian food from South India. Don't forget to try the famous 'Gujarati Thali'... The Gujarati (veg) Thali, at the Express Hotel (First floor). At 225 Rs, is delicious and exceptional value in delightful surroundings. Opens at 19.30 for dinner. Recommended by locals. Also try the thali at Kismat dhaba(On the Expressway) in typically rural ambience. Meal for 2 at 100 bucks. Must visit ! Splurge Barbeque Nation, at Alkapuri(Shreem Shalini Mall) very good non-veg fare at the buffet Peshawari, at the Welcomgroup. STIR, at Taj Residency, Vadodara. Drink It is a nice place to be but lacks a nightlife altogether because of a blanket ban on alcohol that coats Gujarat. Foreign nationals can procure alcohol after getting a permit, but this procedure is not without its headaches. You will need your passport plus a photocopy of your passport data page and your visa. You must ask your hotel to stamp this photocopy and write a simple statement to say that "xxx is residing at this hotel room xxx. The fee for the permit is 100 Rs. The permit is valid for one month during which time each person is allowed to buy a limited quantity - 10 units at a time (one unit is 10 large bottles of beer, or 3 bottles of wine or 1 bottle of spirits), no more than twice in six days. This should satisfy all but the heaviest of drinkers. You can use the permit at any location that sells alcohol. The wine shop at the Hotel Kaviraj (the hotel is currently being refurbished but the wine shop is open on the side of the building) is open from 12.00 to 20.00 hrs and can always issue a permit. Sleep Accommodation can be a problem for foreigners in Vadodara, with the majority of hotels and lodges refusing customers who are clearly non-Indian or lack Indian proof of identity. This concerns a requirement for the lodges to obtain and submit various forms to the local police, and appears to be strictly enforced. The cheapest rooms available to non Indians (in the popular region near the railway station) are typically around 1200, with a handful at around 950. Budget Choose any of the hotels available besides the railway station. This option is not available to foreigners as of Jan 2013, see above. Mid-range Surya Palace PM Regency Hotel Surya Hotel Aditi Hotel Apex International Comfort Residency Hotel Revival Splurge ITC Welcomgroup Hotel The Gateway Express Hotel. Hotel Hampton Inn by Hilton. Contact Relevant tourism information can be obtained by contacting Gujarat Tourism's local office at the following address: Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited Narmada Bhavan, C- block, Indira Avenue, Vadodara - 390001, Gujarat, India. Phone: +91 265 2427489,2431297 Email: tibbaroda@gujarattourism.com Instant information like nearest restaurant, closest medical store etc. can be found at JustDial Vadodara and by calling their 24x7 helpline at +91 8888888888. Stay safe Vadodara is generally a safe city. Typical rules and regulations apply here just like traveling to any other city. Cope Vadodara is heavily secure by the local cops( may be in yellow-ocker, black, white or in formal dress but in yellow-ocker socks). If you have any trouble you can cal on 108 (emergency number). but almost the people of vadodara may not cause any damage to traveler. and you can enjoy the city with out any problem. Tourists and especially non-resident Indians can expect to pay significantly more than locals (i.e. be "scammed"). This is to be expected when travelling, but can be worse than in other parts of India. Get out This article is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. 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