Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Do try the excellent Parsi fare, including the signature
dhansak
, or the cinnamon grilled
chicken sticks with harissa. A wrought-iron table set-up at the entrance tastefully lends a
Mediterranean air. And the bar boasts cold beer and a smart wine list (which you can pur-
chase by the glass or bottle).
Cafe Coffee Day
(Masjid Rd; 9am-6pm)
Here at Cafe Coffee Day, you may have to tell the staff to turn on the
generator first, but a decent espresso is your reward for patience.
CAFE
Information
9am-9pm)
Slow internet access if working at all.
Joshi's Newspaper Agency
(Main Rd; per hr ?50;
260318; Bombay Point Rd)
At the MTDC Resort south of town.
MTDC Tourist Office
(
260251; Main Rd)
Local tours, ticketing, taxi hire and bus services.
RB Travels
(
11am-5pm Mon-Fri, 11am-1pm Sat)
Handles foreign currency. ATM
State Bank of India
(Main Rd;
on Masjid Rd.
Getting There & Away
From the bus stand, state buses leave regularly for Pune (semideluxe ?150, 3½ hours) via
Panchgani (?25, 30 minutes). There's one ordinary bus to Goa (?370, eight hours, 8.30am)
via Kolhapur (?150, five hours), while seven buses ramble off to Mumbai Central Station
(ordinary/semideluxe ?210/275, seven hours).
Private agents in the bazaar book luxury Mercedes and Volvo buses to destinations
within Maharashtra, and Goa (seat/sleeper ?1000/1300, 12 hours, with a changeover at
Surur). Remember to ask where they intend to drop you. Buses to Mumbai (?550, 6½
hours) generally don't go beyond Borivali, while those bound for Pune (?350) will bid
you adieu at Swargate.
Getting Around
Taxis and Maruti vans near the bus stand will take you to the main viewpoints or to
Panchgani.
Cycling is also an option, but be careful of speeding traffic, especially on the outskirts.
Bikes can be hired from
Vasant Cycle Mart
(Main Rd; per day ?50;
8am-8pm)
.
