Mumbai Juhu Beach

Our journey begins in Mumbai, which will then take us to Bangalore in the south. As the financial and cultural capital of the country, Mumbai offers a fascinating mix of tradition and modernity. An outstanding highlight for us and our children is the famous Juhu Beach, near the airport.

Juhu Beach, a sprawling sandy beach on the shores of the Arabian Sea, is one of the city’s most popular recreational spots. It attracts both locals and tourists who want to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere, fresh sea breeze and vibrant sunsets. The beach is especially lively in the evening, when families and friends gather to visit the numerous street vendors offering a variety of culinary delights, including pav bhaji and bhel puri, traditional snacks that have made Mumbai famous.

Since our first visit here to Juhu Beach, it has been a “must have” on any visit to Mumbai.

Juhu Beach provides a perfect introduction to our trip.

Gadagh

Our first stop is Gadagh, where we are staying in a beautiful club-like hotel. Once again, we took the night train. In the morning, we arrived in Gadagh rested with our children and were able to enjoy the day.

Gadag, a city in the Indian state of Karnataka, is known for its historical and cultural heritage. However, we didn’t really have time and leisure for temples and culture. Our focus was more on the children’s playground in the hotel resort.

Kolhapur

Kolhapur also offers delicious regional cuisine, including the famous Kolhapuri masala, a popular spice mix. For us, Kolhapur was more of a transit city. But we had a very good hotel here.

Malleshwaram und Bangalore

Malleshwaram, a historic district of Bangalore in Karnataka, is known for its cultural diversity. Named after the Kadu Malleshwara temple dedicated to the god Shiva, Malleshwaram combines traditional flair with modern vibrancy. The area is famous for its markets, including the lively Malleshwaram 8th Cross Market, where fresh produce, flowers and local delicacies are sold.

We often shopped here with our dear friend. There is also a good vendor for our beloved papad right next to the market.

Mumbai

We then took a domestic flight back to Mumbai, where we stayed at the YMCA Branch Colaba for a few days. I can particularly recommend this place to families with small children, as it has nothing of a traditional hotel. But if you’re lucky, there are other children and a group of table tennis players. And the YMCA is centrally located very close to the Gateway of India.

The airline then involuntarily gave us a layover in Kuwait on our return journey, as we couldn’t catch our connecting flight. So we had an extra day in a hotel at Kuwait Airport.