The Garden City was always a hip destination. And now with the hotel rates falling, travellers have all the more reason to plan a trip to Bangalore. The latest to launch a deal is The Park, Bangalore, which is offering a stay for a couple in a deluxe room for Rs 8,888 plus taxes per night. A terrace suite however comes at Rs 13,999 per taxes and a deluxe suite at Rs 16,999 plus taxes per night. The rates include complimentary breakfast and dinner at Monsoon — the hotel’s multicuisine restaurant, a welcome drink on arrival along with a fruit platter. They also throw in two-way airport transfer which is a big blessing given how far the new airport is. You get 20 per cent discount on all food, beverages and laundry as well as free entry to the happening I-Bar. And if being a lounge lizard is not really your style, you can go for a relaxing head and shoulder massage. You also get to take in the sights in style, being driven in the hotel’s limo for a half-day sightseeing to places like Bangalore Palace, Cubbon park, Lalbagh, Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace and more. The offer is valid from October 1 to 12 and from October 24 to November 2, 2008. For details call 080 2559 4666.

My favourite holiday

Saurabh Shukla,
actor

I generally enjoy myself everywhere, but my most memorable holiday was my honeymoon in Nepal 10 years ago. It was long overdue as I got married in February and could not go until December. It was freezing then. We went on a tour, first to Kathmandu and then to Pokhra. Pokhra is a beautiful place and a dream for me. I loved the mountains and the food there as well. From Pokhra we went to Chitwan which is a forest reserve. It was the first time that I had ever been to a forest reserve and I rode an elephant there for the first time too. I also met several foreigners there and when they got to know that I work in the Hindi film industry, they got very excited and thought I was Shah Rukh Khan! I had to remind them then that I am Saurabh Shukla.