A local’s guide to exploring Kochi

The taste of salt in the air, the friendly people and a vibrant, bustling soul combine to form the sprawling city known as Kochi. This coastal city is one of the most developed in South India, but is more laid-back compared to its counterparts. The weather is pleasant all round, so you can visit this city any time of the year.

If you’d like to visit Kochi and explore the city’s culture and hidden gems like a local, read on!

The Quaint Roads of Vypin

A small town located to the north-west of Cochin, Vypin is separated from the mainland by a bay-like extension of the Arabian Sea. You can rent a car in Cochin, and traverse the 25-odd km to this town quickly. The beauty of Vypin lies in its serene and calm way of life. Most of the roads lie parallel to the coast making for a beautiful drive, and the beaches in the area are untouched and secluded. You can even learn the basics of prawn cultivation from the friendly locals, or explore the Azhikotta Fort which was built in 1503.

Cherai Beach

Cherai Beach is at the north western end of Vypin Island, in the Ernakulam district. Cabs in Kochi make frequent runs to this beach, since it is just 30 km from the city. The road to Cherai is dotted with pretty lagoons and prawn farms, making it one of the most scenic places in Kerala. Coconut trees and paddy fields also add to the charm, but you’ll forget all about the road when you reach the destination.

The beach itself is nicknamed ‘The Princess of Arabian Sea’, because it is one of the finest beaches on the West coast. The total length is close to 15 km, making it ideal for long walks and viewing the sunset. The water level is very shallow, so guests can take a swim or walk up far into the water (although you should check with the lifeguard before you get into the water).

The Mattanchery Trail

Mattanchery is one of the oldest parts of Cochin, and is located near Fort Kochi. The area is famous for its spice trade, which has been progressing for well over three centuries. The mix of pleasant and strong smells, combined with the vibrant culture will enable you to explore more of the area without getting tired. The area also houses the Dutch Palace, which is an architectural wonder in itself. It was the residence of the Maharaja of Kochi, gifted to him by the Portuguese. The walls are adorned by scenes from Ramayana and Mahabharata, but the overall beauty of the palace lies in its simplicity.

There are many other quirky destinations within the city, including Jew Town, the Synagogue and more. If you want to explore these places at your own convenience, then just book taxi in Cochin to take you around. One thing is certain; if you’re looking for a unique travel experience, you’ll find what you’re looking for in the wonderful city of Cochin.

Travel begins with Savaari

Savaari Car Rentals is an online cab booking aggregator that aims to provide reliable and affordable taxi services to its travellers. With travel operations across more than 60 cities in India including Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai, Pune & Delhi, Savaari is uniquely placed as the largest car rental company in India in terms of geographical reach. Savaari provides both intercity (outstation) taxi booking services as well as intracity (local) cab services.

July 7, 2017July 7, 2017

Offbeat getaways in India: Gokarna

Gokarna is a town situated along the west coast of India in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka. It is a renowned Hindu pilgrimage centre, but over the past few years has quickly grown as a tourist destination, especially for those seeking calm and serenity. If, you are searching for some personal space with just the sun, sea and sand, then Gokarna is the perfect destination for you.

Gokarna is a vastly different experience from other famous beach towns such as Goa or Karwar. Interestingly, the Mahabaleshwar Temple which is home to Lord Shiva put this place on the tourist map. The idol here is over 1500 years old, and visiting it will give you a deep serene feeling. Needless to say, Shivaratri is celebrated here with great enthusiasm.

Gokarna is a mix of temples and beaches with legendary stories attached to them. Even though it is a small town, there are several sight-seeing options to keep you busy. The most famous beach is the Om beach, named so because it is shaped like the Hindu symbol of Om. You can engage yourself in some water sports that are available at the beach and later indulge in delicious food available at the many shacks and restaurants present at Om beach. Namaste Café is the one that should not be missed. Other top beaches include Gokarna beach, Kudle beach, Half Moon beach, and Paradise beach. If you love trekking, you can also trek to all five beaches one after the other.

Apart from temples and beaches, Gokarna additionally offers a few other activities that are worth your time. You can indulge yourself in some relaxing massage provided by several resorts, hotels, and even some inns. With a wide variety of options available from foot to a full-body massage, this soothing experience is a must try activity. Gokarna is a centre for yoga too, and you will discover many classes around the town. Don’t be surprised, if you see a foreigner doing yoga on the beach. Shopping at the little shops in Gokarna is something that you can include while in Gokarna. You can discover jewellery, gems, garments, and more.

Barely 75 km from Gokarna is Murudeshwar. One can witness the second largest Shiva statue in the country at Murudeshwar. The large statue in the backdrop of Arabian Sea is a sight to behold. You can also visit Kumta, a small town on the road to Murudeshwar. Kumta is famous for its banana, coconut, fisheries, betelnut and cashew plantations. The long Kumta shoreline is a great sight, and in addition to that, several seabirds add to its beauty.

September to April is the best time to visit Gokarna. Regular buses from Bangalore and Mangalore are easily available apart from a few trains. The nearest airport is the Dabolim airport in Goa which is around 140kms from Gokarna. The roads from Bangalore to Gokarna are relatively good, so if you are in a mood for a long drive, take a cab from Bangalore to Gokarna. To travel within Gokarna, bikes and cars are available for rent. However, if you prefer walking, you can easily cover the entire town on foot. Perhaps, that is the best way to explore the place.

Travel begins with Savaari

June 23, 2017

Goa: A guide to beaches for some alone time

Tourism in Goa has blown out of proportion in recent years, mainly due to all the hype it has generated as a hippie destination. All the erstwhile pristine beaches have become overcrowded, with beaches in Calangute, Anjuna, Baga and even Palolem not recommended for those seeking solitude. Fortunately, this coastal state is teeming with other, lesser known beaches which are still relatively untouched. They are easily accessible too, as isn’t too difficult to book cabs in Goa.

Let us take a look at some of the best beaches in Goa that haven’t been drowned in the tourism wave.

Butterfly Beach

One of the best beaches in the state, Butterfly Beach is definitely deserving of its pretty name. It has relatively long, unexplored stretches of sand, mostly because of its remote location. Butterfly beach is around 35 km from Margao, to the north of Palolem Beach. One can’t get there if they just book taxi in Goa, since the beach itself is not accessible by road and you can only reach it after a two hour trek through the forest. However, if you’re looking for total privacy, Butterfly is the place to go to.

Galgibaga Beach

Galgibaga is famous not for its party vibes, but for another, much more beautiful reason. It is the seasonal nesting and hatching site of the Olive Ridley Turtles. It is generally regarded as the cleanest beach in Goa, and is located 18 km south of Cancona. Food options might be limited though; the beach is lined by very few shacks and a number of coconut trees. Galgibaga beach is well worth a visit if you’re looking for private experience in crystal clear water and glistening sand.

Cola Beach

Another secluded beach in South Goa, Cola is the ideal place for an escape from the hustle and bustle of mainstream beaches. Situated 15 km north of Palolem, signboards lead the way to this lesser known paradise by the sea. This beach also has an exotic lagoon- lined by coconut trees, beach huts and Rajasthani style tents.

Sinquerim Beach

Situated adjacent to the well-known Fort Aguada and just 13 km from Panaji, Sinquerim is another stretch of unspoiled, virgin sands. The beach is the perfect place to relax and enjoy one of the best sunset views that Goa has to offer. It also has a few adventure activities, including scuba diving, water skiing, fishing and wind-surfing. The quaint little eateries close to the beach serve delicious drinks and fresh snacks.

Lovers Beach

As the name suggests, this is one of the most romantic beaches in the state of Goa. It is located north of the more mainstream Betalbatim beach, and is technically an extension of the same. Despite its proximity to Margao (6 km), the beach always wears a deserted look except for the odd couple. There are no shacks or hotels near this beach and the only way to get here is via private transport. The convenience of Goa car rental has made travelling here that much more simple.

The party scene in Goa is great, but sometimes one needs solitude by the beach to contemplate and revitalise. These are not the only untouched beaches in the state, with Arambol, Betalbatim Cabo De Rama beaches being some of the other options. They are sure to appeal to all those seeking an alternative to the loud and overcrowded mainstream beaches, so make sure to check them out!

June 8, 2017July 6, 2017

The Savaari in a Minute Contest! Here’s Everything You Need To Know.

The Contest!

Record a video of you telling us the list of all 65 cities where Savaari operates from. But you only have a minute to name all 65 cities. Please cap your video entries at exactly 60 seconds.

The Grand Prize

Win a Savaari sponsored vacation worth Rs. 10,000!

The vacation covers two parts –

A Savaari gift voucher worth Rs 5,000 for you to travel to the destination of your choice in a chauffeur driven car.
A gift voucher worth Rs 5,000 from Life is outside where you can choose and book your accommodation. A car will be allotted to you only after you produce the hotel booking purchased against the gift voucher.

You can choose to travel between the following routes:

Bangalore-Coorg

Mumbai-Lonavala

Kolkata-Sunderbans

Hyderabad-Shameerpet

Ahmedabad-Gir National Park

Chennai-Yelagiri

Delhi-Nainital

Pune-Mahabaleshwar

Chandigarh-Shimla

Coimbatore-Kodaikanal

Mangalore-Chikmagalur

Cochin-Munnar

Jaipur-Pushkar

The Rules!

You will need to upload the video on your social media pages (Facebook, Twitter or Instagram), use #SavaariInAMinute and tag us (@Savaari on Facebook, @savaaricars on Twitter and @savaaricarrentals on Instagram) on a public post.
You can also send your entries to travelnews@savaari.com or send us a private message on our social media (@Savaari on Facebook, @savaaricars on Twitter and @savaaricarrentals on Instagram).
When you’ve published your video, come back to this blog post and leave us a comment with links to the video.
You can make multiple versions of the video you wish to submit.
Savaari can use the videos created to be featured on our social media channels and on other marketing collaterals. By entering this contest, you are granting Savaari the permission to do so.
Savaari holds the full authority in deciding the winner. Savaari’s decision of picking the winner will be final and cannot be contested. The winner will be decided using one or more of the following criteria:
– The participant who names the maximum number of cities fastest in the stipulated time
– The participant who has the most shares, likes and retweets on their contest entry posts
– The participant who has participated on multiple platforms
– If there is a tie wherein two participants name all 65 cities in the same amount of time, we will have an additional tie breaker round.
– The contest ends on 16^th July at 11:59:00 PM
– Early birds get extra brownie points!
On winning, you will be requested to produce proof of identity.
We will arrange for the car from Bangalore, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Delhi, Pune, Chandigarh, Coimbatore, Mangalore, Cochin and Jaipur only.
If you live outside the listed cities, please make arrangements to arrive at these cities before your trip begins. Savaari will not be responsible for the expenses incurred to arrive at the above cities.
After your trip, we will be in touch with you and ask you to write about you experience and feature your story on our blog.

June 7, 2017June 7, 2017

We love travel as much as you do! Stay tuned for our travel contest.

Dear traveller,

When we think of leisurely vacations with family and friends, we think about taking a road trip to hill stations, beaches, glorious monuments, small hamlets hidden away from the public and even our home towns. Travelling is a lot more fun when you can listen to your favourite tracks on loop, carry your own snacks and stop anywhere you feel like on the highway. There’s something warm and romantic about hitting the road with your best friends or cousins, parents or colleagues all squeezed into one car.

What we love about travelling by cab is that you’re free to stop to breathe in clean air, learn about cultures, taste local food and soak in the views. You can quickly stop to admire a small stream or find out how to make jaggery from dates, or even pick up some homemade pickle at a local grocery store. We love that these wholesome experiences on our journey make travelling better and enrich our lives. We live for the surprises we find on road trips.

To us, a road trip is one of the most exhilarating ways to travel the length and breadth of India. There’s always something to look at, always something to explore and always something to experience. Because we love travelling by road so much, we’ve been striving to make sure you get to experience it too. We, at Savaari, started off with intercity cab services in 27 cities – but that wasn’t enough for us. We wanted more of you to go on a road trip, and more of you to experience the same joys of travel that we do.

We are now in 65 cities in India – 65 cities where we help more and more of our fellow travellers to take the weekend off and explore what’s around them. No city is too big or too small. We know travellers and wanderers like us are everywhere. You live near Khajuraho, you live near Alleppey, you live near Alibag and near Tranquebar. We want you to visit them all. Pack your bags every weekend and explore everything there is to see around you.

We’re partners in your journey, you and us. Trust us to make your next road trip memorable. To celebrate our journey and to share our love for travel with you, we’re giving you the chance to win a vacation! Over the next few days, we’ll tell you how you can win a quick getaway. And this time, your vacation is on us! Stay tuned and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

June 5, 2017June 5, 2017

Go on a walkabout to Bangalore’s best book stores

Bibliophiles often go to great lengths to scour the globe for a copy of the literature they’ve been craving for. If you’re in Bangalore though, you are in for a big treat! Although the city is primarily known for its party scene, a closer look will reveal some absolute gems of bookstores.

Let us take a look through some of the best bookstores in the Garden City.

Goobe’s Book Republic

This quaint little bookstore on Church Street is easy to miss, if you’re not actively searching for it. Passers-by are alerted to its presence only via a small chalkboard sign on the street, pointing towards a flight of stairs.

Descend those stairs and you’ll encounter a quaint, beautifully arranged space crammed with all kinds of books. The shop sells a combination of new and second-hand books from all genres. Goobe’s Book Republic gives out a feeling of intimacy, not just because it’s small, but because of the relationship between the seller and the customer.

The employees of the store give you recommendations based on your reading history, and also make sure to get your input on what they should be stocking next. The prices start as low as Rs. 25, so what are you waiting for? Book a cab in Bangalore and get to Church Street!

Blossom Book House

Another gem situated in Church Street, Blossom is one of the city’s more famous bookshops. It is an odd, yet innovative combination of a bookstore and a library, and the result is a complex setup teeming with promise. And there’s good news for bibliophiles! They’ve recently opened another branch on Church Street – this means even more books!

The store consists of high shelves stacked close to each other and stocked with titles from every genre imaginable. The store has over 50,000 books available, most of them with heavy discounts. The first floor of the store is stacked ceiling to floor with fiction and graphic novels from around the world. On the second floor, you’ll find a large collection of non-fiction spanning art, history, psychology, math and even health.

Atta Galatta

This bookstore in Bangalore is special, and not just because of the five oaks that stand guard outside the building. Atta Galatta promotes Indian authors actively, and the only books by foreign authors in the store are in the children’s section.

It has an amazing collection of Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam and English books written by Indian authors. The store regularly organizes book reading sessions and interactive events with Indian writers.

The store also has an in-house bakery so you can munch on your favourite baked goodies while you browse. Located in 5th Block, Koramangala, you can just book a taxi in Bangalore and get here.

The Bookworm

The Bookworm is known for its unique credit system, whereby users can borrow a book for half the book’s price and swap it for another after reading it. The store boasts of eminent clientele like Ramchandra Guha and Anita Nair, but the owner Krishna wears it lightly on his sleeve.

He started this store back in 2002, and promotes Indian authors and books by giving large discounts. Known among the bookworms of Bangalore as the perfect place to find the ultimate steal. And just like Blossom, Bookworm has also opened up a new branch on Church Street!

Gangaram’s Book Bureau

More than half a century old, Gangaram’s is one of the most loved bookstores in the city. The store moved to its current location in Church Street around five years ago, and its sprawling interiors are stacked with all kinds of books- both academic and fiction.

The store has been associated with International publishers Penguin for the best part of four decades, and has a separate rack for the renowned publishing company.

These are only some of the more famous joints for books in the Bangalore; the city is teeming with many other treasure troves for book lovers. All it takes is the ever curious mind of the bookworm to discover them all and, now that cab booking in Bangalore has become so convenient, they are even easier to access!

Travel begins with Savaari

Savaari Car Rentals is an online cab booking aggregator that aims to provide reliable and affordable taxi services to its travellers.

June 2, 2017

#60DaysOfSummer – Week 9 Digest

Elephant Safari in Kaziranga

How about a tour of Kaziranga National Park on elephant back? If you find jeep safaris too run-of-the-mill while you’re out exploring the wilderness, try the elephant safari here. The national park is in north Assam by the river Brahmaputra and is home to the endangered Great One-Horned Rhinoceros. Read more…

Staycation in Masinagudi

If you’re looking for a quick getaway from the city, spend the weekend hidden away in some of Masinagudi’s resorts and tree houses. Masinagudi is the perfect getaway for anyone who wants to sit back and relax on their vacation. Read more…

Spice Farm in Dudhsagar

There’s more to Goa than the beaches and tourist spots. If you travel into the heart of Goa, you’ll find serene wilderness, gorgeous waterfalls and lots of spice farms. If you want to experience Goa without having to go to the beach or encounter tourists, we suggest you plan a trip to see a spice plantation. Read more…

River Rafting in Dandeli

Rafting in the river Kali is one of the most exhilarating and sought after adventure experiences for those seeking an adrenaline rush. The river at Dandeli has some strong rapids, making it the perfect place to put on a life jacket and get into the waters. Read more…

Day Trip to Adlabs Imagica

Head to Adlabs Imagica just before the summer ends for a day out at their theme, water and snow parks. The amusement park is a great place to spend a day with the family if you’re looking for a quick break from the city but don’t want to spend more than a few hours travelling. Read more…

Coffee Plantations in Araku Valley

If you haven’t had the chance to taste the exquisite Araku coffee, you should probably pack your bags and head to Araku Valley right away. The coffee here is grown by a group of farmers who engage in organic practices and are part of a cooperative. But that’s not the only reason you should be visiting the valley – its scenic beauty is famous in the region. Read more…

Travel begins with Savaari

June 1, 2017

#60DaysOfSummer – Coffee Plantation in Araku Valley

When you’re not walking through the coffee plantations, you’ll find a number of places in Araku where you can sit back and relax.

HOW TO GET THERE

Book a cab from Visakhapatnam to Araku.

Travel begins with Savaari

May 31, 2017

#60DaysOfSummer – Day Trip to Adlabs Imagica

And if you’re looking to make this a longer vacation, you can always extend your trip to include Lonavala in your itinerary.

HOW TO GET THERE

Book a cab from Mumbai to Adlabs Imagica.

Travel begins with Savaari

May 30, 2017

#60DaysOfSummer – River Rafting at Dandeli

While you’re at Dandeli, you might want to also head to Karwar, Gokarna and even Goa for an extended vacation.

HOW TO GET THERE

If you’re starting from Goa, book a cab from Goa to Dandeli. You can also take a flight to Goa and then go to Dandeli by road if it’s your only destination.