A perfect location in Mumbai to celebrate every life event

The stress of life in Mumbai is such that one hardly gets the time to sit back and unwind after a hard day. Many hours spent in tiring commutes, constant deadlines and impossible targets make working life a miserable one for many Mumbaikars. Then there is the absolute paucity of lush green spaces where one may go and just sit quietly to contemplate one’s life and future.

The only spaces that provide any scope for entertainment for the whole family are shopping malls and cinema theatres. With so little time one gets to relax during the week, weekends are spent in cleaning up the house and meeting only with immediate family members. This busy lifestyle ensures that many Mumbaikars do not get the time to catch up with family members unless there is a public holiday.

So why not plan a get-together?

A get-together is the perfect opportunity for family and friends to meet each other after a long time, exchange views and hugs, bond over food and drinks and generally pick up the threads of their lives. If you have been wanting to hold a small gathering of friends and family, pick a special occasion and book a suitable banquet hall for it.

It is fairly easy to plan a get-together in Mumbai if you have the guest list ready. But be sure to book only the most prime facility if you want to make the occasion extra special. There are many good banquet halls in Mumbai, but only the very best, like The Leela Mumbai, are actually worth booking. The Leela Mumbai puts together one of the most exquisite banquets in Mumbai backed by opulent spaces and the best support staff to make your event a grand success.

Spread over a plush 11,742 square feet of area, the Leela Mumbai offers opulent banquet space in its Grand Ballroom that can seat up to 1,200 guests. Now that’s a large amount of space for the most boisterous celebration you can think of! Or you can book the smaller Ball Rooms if you’re planning a more intimate do, like a silver wedding anniversary or a 50th birthday or even a mehndi ceremony.

The Leela Mumbai offers the best seating options, exquisite international or Indian cuisine of your choice, extremely attentive and helpful staff and the most luxurious banquet spaces that you can ask to be customised for your function. Plus, the hotel is conveniently located at Sahar, in the heart of Mumbai, so it is fairly easy to reach it as well.

All in all, you can have the best banquet in Mumbai at The Leela!

15 smart ways to travel through Europe on a tight budget

A European holiday can be the highlight of your life. There are several beautiful countries in Europe, and the best part is, you can see most of them on a single Schengen visa. But you will quickly find that Europe is as expensive as it is gorgeous. Instead of fretting over the amount of money you will need to spend, you could consider these money-saving hacks for your Europe holiday:

1 Travel off-season. Most people make the mistake of booking tickets in the destination country’s peak holiday season. This will result in more money for flight tickets and accommodation. Always travel to Europe, off season for cheaper deals.

2 Book your tickets in advance. The closer you book your tickets to the date of departure, the more expensive they will be. Frequent travellers know they must book tickets at least three months in advance to avoid last minute charge hikes and delays.

3 Travel to Schengen visa countries only. Not every country in Europe is on the list of Schengen visa countries. Look up the entire list of countries to know which ones you can travel to, on a single Schengen visa. A better way to save more money is to travel to an EU country but one which does not use the Euro, such as Croatia.

4 Look for alternatives to hotels. Your accommodation choice will impact your spends on your Europe sojourn. Instead of booking yourself into a hotel or resort, ask your friends or family members if you can stay at their place. If this is not feasible, stay at a hostel or rent an apartment from a local.

5 Carry cash to spend. It is always better to carry along sufficient cash instead of using your credit cards everywhere or taking money from the ATM to save on international withdrawal fees.

6 Book a multi-city cruise. Instead of booking 10 different cars to travel to multiple destinations, a single cruise will do the job better and cheaper.

7 Use public transportation. Car rentals can be expensive in Europe, especially if your pick-up and drop-off points are different and located far from each other. It is always cheaper to use public transport, which is quite good in Europe.

8 Walk everywhere and join free walking tours. You can learn a lot about a place and remember side streets and prominent landmarks if you walk everywhere. Also look for free walking tours with an English speaking guide to explore a city, but don’t forget to tip the guide.

9 Visit museums and art galleries on free days. Do your research and find free visitor days for art galleries and museums in your destination city. This will save a lot of money on admission fees.

10 Use free Wi-Fi only. Communicate with friends and family using messenger services on your phone and free Wi-Fi which is available at many cafes and restaurants in Europe. Sending emails, photographs and other communication is much cheaper with free Wi-Fi.

11 Use a rail pass to travel within the EU. We recommend taking a railway pass that allows multiple passage between select EU countries. You pay for it once and travel a certain number of times before you make the next pass.

12 Use a local SIM card. Do not use international roaming on your phone when you travel to Europe. Instead, get a local SIM card (you can get one at most European airports) and discard it when you travel to another country.

13 Shop in cheaper countries. Some European countries such as Switzerland are more expensive than others, such as Portugal. Make a shopping list and wait to reach a more price-friendly country before you start shopping.

14 Research how much to tip. Each country in Europe has different rules about tipping, so find these out before you get there. Some countries pay their wait-staff hourly wages, so there is no need to pay a high tip. At others, a good tip is a norm.

15 Stay within the sights. Instead of staying on the outskirts of the city and then travelling far to see the prominent sights, stay within reach so that you walk to the tourist spots instead of hiring transport.

Is a Schengen visa different from a UK visa?

The best part about travelling anywhere in the European Union (EU) is that one can take a single Schengen visa and move about from country to country. Hence, whether one wants to go to France from Germany and then head to Poland and then move on to Denmark or Belgium, the Schengen visa will allow easy transit from one to the other.

The Schengen visa is valid for countries designated for inclusion in the Schengen territory.

It is a widely held notion that all European Union nations are automatically included in the Schengen territory. This is NOT true – the Schengen area is not the same as the EU area. Hence, countries in the EU may not necessarily be part of the Schengen territory.

This is particularly true of such countries as the UK and Ireland. Both countries are not part of the Schengen territory, and hence a Schengen visa cannot be used in these countries. Conversely, a Schengen visa will not be valid in the UK and Ireland. A UK visa will have to be taken to visit the UK, despite the traveller holding a Schengen visa.

The designated Schengen territory comprises the countries of Belgium, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Poland, Austria, Greece, Czech Republic, Sweden, Finland, Hungary, Iceland, Norway, Malta, Denmark, Latvia, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Lithuania, Portugal, Slovenia, Estonia, Slovakia and Liechtenstein. More countries are expected to be added to this area in 2016, if they are able to meet the requirements to do so.

Terms and conditions

• The Schengen visa is valid for a period of 90 days from date of issuance for travel within all Schengen member countries in a six-month period. In some cases, the visa may be extended to a period of one or two years.

• Though one is allowed to obtain the Schengen visa from one member country and travel to another, the issuing country may note that the visa is not being used for travel and tourism in that country. There is a risk of that country refusing to issue the visa in the future for fear of the visa being misused or not used on their soil.

• Though there is just one Schengen territory comprising 26 countries, each member country may choose to exercise their right to grant, withhold approval or reject a visa application on the basis of their understanding of the applicant’s past travel records, problematic behaviour while on tour, the number of visits made in the past, and so on. One member country’s rules may not apply to another’s.

The Schengen visa fee is taken in Euros only. Be sure to find out the exchange rate in your local currency before buying the visa.

What are the types of UK visas that I can apply for?

The United Kingdom has long been a strong magnet for migrants and travelers alike through the ages. Great Britain has had a strong historical connection, brought on by colonization, with many countries around the world, and these unofficial ties continue to endure to this day. Apart from this, the UK exerts a strong influence in the arena of arts, culture, education, lifestyle and many other areas. These are attractive to many people, and hence, the country figures on the wish list of many a migrant and tourist alike.

However, before you decide to make a trip to the UK, you must first understand the 

UK visa application formalities. There are several types of UK visas – picking the right one depends on the duration of your visit and purpose of stay. Broadly, you can consider the following categories of UK visas:

Work visas:  General (currently closed), Investor, Entrepreneur, Graduate Entrepreneur, Skilled talent, Post Graduate work (currently closed)

Work permit or Certificate of Sponsorship: General, Company transfers (from one location to UK-based one)

Other work categories: Youth mobility scheme, creative participation and sporting visas, Government authorized exchange, charity worker, religious worker, international agreement.

Study visas: Student visas, student visitor (limited duration in terms of days or weeks), Doctoral extension scheme

Family visas: Visas obtained by way of ties with spouse, fiancé, dependent citizen, unmarried partners and ancestry.

UK Tourist visa: Standard (not similar to business, academic, family and general visa), permitted paid engagement (for those invited to UK for lectures and speaking assignments, for example), short term study.

Getting your UK tourist visa is easy if you follow the procedures and file your paperwork diligently. You must have a valid passport and bank statements to prove that you can finance your trip to the UK comfortably. At least one page in your passport must be blank (last page is not considered) on both sides while applying for the UK visa.

The UK visa application formalities also include furnishing information on your travel dates and itinerary, your place of stay in UK, your overall travel expenses, permanent residential address, details of parents’ address and contact numbers, your annual income, details of persons accompanying you on the trip, details of trip sponsor (if any) and details of relatives or friends based in the UK. 

Water way to live!

The water is azure, the sun blazing down on your skin. You have nowhere to be, nowhere to go right this minute. You gaze out into the distance, your eyes traversing sleepily over the clear sands, over to the gulls flying past in a flock, over the horizon where the Earth meets the sky. You slather sunscreen lotion on your arms and legs, sit back in your chair, and pull your hat over your eyes. You’ve finished your drink and it’s a good hour before lunch. You put your book aside and close your eyes.

Now if only you could do this every single day of your life…

A holiday in Goa is the stuff of dreams. Every kind of tranquil peace awaits you in the land of sushegad and seafood, revelry and riotous fun. If you want to detach from your hectic city life and find yourself once again, Goa should be your destination of choice. Of course, it helps that Goa has some of the best tourist spots in the country, apart from some of the warmest, most fun loving people. Every minute spent in this sunshine state will leave you refreshed and energized to take on the rigours of your life once again.

But wait, you’re still on holiday and you have the time to let loose and enjoy Goa in all its glory – you can worry about your job and family responsibilities when you’re back home! You can start by booking good flight tickets for your preferred travel time. Don’t forget to book weekday tickets for cheaper deals, and avoiding the holiday rush is best. Then go on to booking yourself in one of the best hotels – the most excellent holiday often starts with the right accommodation. Look up one of the 5 star hotels in Goa – you can find the most recommended ones online – and book the accommodation that suits you. Many 5 star hotels in Goa offer complimentary airport drop and pick-up facilities as well, so you can start your trip on a hassle-free note.

Once there, draw up your itinerary and head out to explore Goa’s markets (you can pick up cheap alcohol, cashews, straw hats and other odds and ends for good prices), its many temples and churches, its places of interest (we recommend a walk around the late architect Charles Correa’s Kala Akademi, the Basilica of Bom Jesus or a day trip to the scenic Dudhsagar Falls) and its beaches astride a hired bike. There is much culture and history to appreciate as well, or if you’d rather put your feet up and rest, you can take a short walk on the beach and return to your room for a snooze.

The most refreshing trip to Goa entails lazing by the beach with a cold beer and a good book. Just being in close touch with the water will set your jaded mind at rest. Besides, you can eat a meal or sit back with a cocktail as you watch the sun set. Some sightseeing, a lot of rest and partying, and you’ll be all set to embrace your hectic routine once again.

As holidays go, this one’s going to be the one to remember every time your soul yearns for some peace and quiet. 

The documents you need for a US visa

Are you dying to go to the USA? We don’t blame you! It is truly the land of opportunity, making every person’s dream come true. People from all over the world try their best to migrate to the USA, dreaming of a better life and a prosperous future for themselves and their families.

But since not everyone wishes to migrate to the US, the rest of us can contend with a trip to the US to take in the sights and culture. It is one of the largest countries in the world, and it will take one several lifetimes to see it entirely and understand its ethos. Before you make your first trip to the US – or the first of several – let us guide you through the US visa process:

·         Choose the type of American visa on the basis of your purpose of visit and the duration of stay. There are many types of US visas available, so choose the correct category. Tourists wishing to visit the US on a short trip for tourism purposes should opt for the Non Immigrant Visa (NIV). The NIV is valid for tourists and holidayers, students, those visiting the US for office work assignments for a period less than 90 days, and athletes or representatives of Government-registered NGOs going to the US for sports, cultural, educational meets, etc.

·         Tourists can apply for a B-2 US visa. It is meant specifically for tourism only, and cannot be used for work or business purposes.

·         You must apply for a B-1 US visa if you are travelling to the US for work or business purposes.

·         You can choose to apply for the NIV online as well. But you must be careful about the application, because it cannot be retracted if you make a mistake in filling it out. Follow these guidelines when filling this form. If your visa is denied to you for furnishing wrong information, you must fill a new form.

·         On filling the application form, you will be assigned a number by the visa centre. You must keep this number carefully because you will need it to book your visa interview appointment.

·         Pay your visa fees on the basis of the American visa you have applied for. Once you pay the fees, you will be given a receipt number. This number is to be quoted for the US visa interview appointment as well.

·         Use the two numbers – fee receipt number and form application number – and use them to fix an interview date. You will be explained the process from now on in detail: it begins with a time and date for your visa interviews. You have two interviews to pass; one at the Consulate and the other at the visa application centre.

·         The Consulate interview takes place first, followed by the interview at the visa application centre. At both interviews, you must provide your passport details and the two numbers allotted previously. Your photograph may be clicked at the visa centre in the specified format, or you will be told the format for the picture. A second interview at the Consulate will take place, wherein you must submit the confirmation letter stamped at the visa application centre, current passport, and all documents required to support the visa application.

·         Your US visa status can be confirmed only after the second Consulate interview. 

4 things you need to know about living in the UK

It is said that if you want fun and warmth, you can go anywhere in the world but if you’re looking for whimsy, just go to the UK. The country is a curious dichotomy of tradition and modernity, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find the level of discipline and reverence for history that the average British person exhibits, anywhere else in the world. This is one of the few countries where the rural economy thrives as well as its urban counterpart, and where wholesome outdoor exercise and a simple country life sit cheek by jowl with a pulsing, exciting city life.

But don’t take our word for it – just get a UK visa and take a trip around UK to experience this wonderful country yourself. We leave you with just four of the many interesting facets about life in the UK, so that you know what to expect on your travels.

1. The food is great and wholesome. Though the Brits do not favour the use of spices in their food all that much, the fare is still tasty and fulfilling. In fact, the pubs and restaurants in England offer some of the most excellent food that you will find anywhere in the world, and they also stock the best wines and spirits. Many single people in the UK routinely meet at pubs with friends and proceed to have dinner there before turning in for the night. There are also many nightclubs and discos, and the nightlife is quite exciting.
   
   
2. You could lose your job but still pay rent. The Government of the UK follows a welfare system that takes care of all nationals in every possible way. Chief among these is that the Government pays the rent on your home if you are faced with a salary cut or if you are laid off by your workplace. Even those living in tony UK neighbourhoods can avail of aid for rent. However, this aid does not take care of mortgage payments and home loans.
   
   
3. The country is known for its arts. The UK is home to some of the modern world’s best known writers, musicians and actors, and the country is replete with the highest quality of theatre, cinema and television shows. You can regularly go to the opera, indulge your love of classical music and great literature, and take a trip across scenic moors in the country to find the homes and birthplaces of some of the country’s best playwrights and actors.
   
   
4. The UK has the smartest cabbies in the world. On your tourist trails in the UK, you may have noticed how intelligently the cabbies navigate busy junctions and get you to your destination in the least possible time. Their mental acuity comes from an exhaustive six-month testing and preparatory process for taxi drivers, which covers everything from etiquette to road directions and memorising all the routes they ply on. Only about a fourth of applicants get through the exams and receive their license. Cabbies in the UK are under oath to never swindle customers and to take the shortest routes to the end destination.

Plus, your UK visa application should be processed without interminable delays – the visa application offices are known to be prompt with paperwork.