7 must-try coffee houses in New Delhi

If New Delhi is a city that never sleeps, then coffee is its fuel. The city features numerous cafés offering the very best beans, from cosy work spaces to bustling spots perfect for meeting up with friends. Here are the best places to head to in New Delhi for your caffeine fix.

The United Coffee House

The United Coffee House plays a crucial role in influencing the capital’s love for coffee. This place has come a long way, literally seventy five years and holds a special place in every coffee lover’s heart. Coffee has been the soul of this place and sipping their signature Cona Coffee or a good old filter coffee along with some savouries is an experience on its own.

Café Turtle

This is probably where most of us city-dwellers first heard the word “cappucino.” Supporting the notion that a good book is ideally accompanied by a great cup of coffee, the first Café Turtle was set up as part of Full Circle Bookstore. Now all three locations have their balance of coffee beans and reading material just right.

Indian Coffee House

Almost 53 years old, Indian Coffee House has withstood the test of times. For some it is a “home away from home”, for some it is of great “sociocultural significance” and for others it is just another place where they can sit and unwind without spending much. The place might have lost its old charm and the coffee might have become watery yet, it is still a favourite for many for reasons close to heart.

Kaffa Cerrado

Located in Okhla Phase 1, Kaffa Cerrado houses coffee sourced from around the globe. Their single-origin specialty coffee can make any coffee lover go weak in the knees. If you want to side your blues but do not want to travel to the other corner of the city for your cuppa coffee.

DePauls Cold Coffee

In the same location since the 1960s, this café serves a classic specialty that is also stayed unchanged. Cold coffee is perhaps a uniquely Indian thing; iced café lattes do not even come close. One sip is all you will need to be in a better mood.

AMA Cafe

AMA Cafe, located in Delhi’s Mini Tibet is a jewel for those coffee lovers who wish to escape the urban hustle-bustle of the capital. You can perch here for hours and devour their famous Mud Cake along with a warm cup of Cafe Mocha or a Caramel Latte. Their prices are really pocket-friendly so, you do not even have to worry about the number of cuppa you want to have.

Chez Nini

For a fancier cup, head to this elegant Parisian-style café that nevertheless keeps things proudly local. The coffee served here is made from Blue Tokai beans, grown in the cool climes of the Nilgiri mountains of South India. An Americano served in a cutting chai glass is the best of both worlds.

Read more: Top snorkeling places in India

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Top adventurous activities in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is the perfect destination for thrill-seeking travelers. Find out the best things to do on an adventure trip to this tear-drop shaped island in South Asia.

Climb to the Top of Sigiriya

Probably the country’s most iconic and recognizable landmark, Sigiriya (translating to “Lion’s Rock” in Sinhalese), is a 5th-century fort and palace. Along the 1,217 steps to the top of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, you’ll learn about the previous inhabitants of the rock, walk between a pair of giant, carved lion’s paws (great spot for a photo opp), pass by monks’ ancient paintings on the rock, and ultimately, reach the top where you’ll be rewarded with sprawling views of the valley below. Plan to make a visit to Sigiriya your first stop in the morning, as close to the park’s opening time as possible (7 a.m.)—not only will you beat the heat, but you’ll also beat the crowds. Even by 9 a.m., the park is pretty packed, and the single-file staircase to the top becomes a clogged funnel of people shuffling to the summit. Early risers will get gorgeous sunrise views and people-free photos.

Go on Safari

Going on safari is a given if you’re looking for adventure in Sri Lanka, but the tough part is deciding when and what type of safari to choose. One of the most popular spots is Yala National Park in the southern part of the country. Here, you’ll spot crocodiles, several species of birds, elephants, and—if you’re lucky—one of the evasive leopards. (Be sure to look up in the tree branches as well for these guys.) For a different experience, book a boat safari in Gal Oya National Park. Just as it sounds, this safari takes you on the water to cruise around in small boats that hold about 10 people. You’ll spot various bird species and also elephants on the rocks and islands around you. If you’re short on time, or just want to make sure you secure your elephant sighting before your return flight, head to Minneriya National Park. Up until 1997 when it was converted to a national park, this was an elephant sanctuary, and it’s considered one of the best places in Sri Lanka (and in the world) to spot large herds of elephants. It’s possible to spot groups of 20 or more at once, so get your cameras ready!

Go Whale Watching

Blue whales are endangered, so they’re typically pretty rare to spot; however, Sri Lanka is one of the best places in the Southern Hemisphere (and the world) to spot them. The most popular place to go whale watching to search for the elusive blue whale (or one of the many other whale species in the area) is in Mirissa, a town on the southern coast of Sri Lanka. There, November to April are prime whale watching season before monsoon season occurs in May through September and the waters become too rough. If spotting a blue whale is on your Sri Lanka bucket list, be sure to book a tour with a responsible tour company (one option is Raja and the Whales) that follows regulations for approaching whales and limiting the impact made on their environment.

Hike in the Knuckles Mountains

This mountain range (also known as the Dumbara mountain range) in central Sri Lanka gets its name from its appearance that looks like a clenched fist, and it’s home to several great hiking trails, especially due to its beautiful flora and fauna. You can hike to gorgeous caves and waterfalls, as well as spectacular viewpoints like Mini World’s End, but you’ll need a guide to assist you along the trails—lack of marked or mapped trails and unpredictable weather can make a solo visit dangerous. Since Kandy is a close and common starting point for many hikers, you can find local guides there, and many hotels can assist with that.

Bike Through the Country’s Best Sights

Sri Lanka’s varied terrain offers a variety of bicycling options—you can pedal alongside rice fields and local villages, you can test your endurance biking through the rolling hills of tea country, or you can ride a route that takes you through some of the country’s top historical and cultural highlights. For the latter, consider cycling the route of the Cultural Triangle, which winds through Buddhist temples, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, ancient cities, and more. The three corners are Kandy (a large city surrounded by tea plantations and home of the sacred Temple of the Tooth); Anuradhapura (the first ancient capital, dating back to 380 B.C. known for its well-preserved ruins); and Polonnaruwa (the second capital city after Anuradhapura that’s known for amazing archeological structures and for being the location of Disney’s Monkey Kingdom). Sigiriya is also on this route. Cycling around the Cultural Triangle to add some adventure to the sights you should visit on a trip.

Go Surfing

Sri Lanka has several great surfing spots, most of which span the country from the southwest to the southeast, and choosing the best area mostly depends on when you’re visiting due to the country’s distinct wet (monsoon) and dry seasons. On the east coast, head to Arugam Bay from May to October during the region’s dry season. The southern and southwestern coasts are experiencing dry season from November to March, so during those times, you can visit the popular surf areas of Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna, or Midigama. Head further up the western side of the island for one of the most popular kite-surfing destinations, the Kalpitiya peninsula, where you can kite-surf in the calmer lagoon or cross to the other side of the peninsula to test your skills in the waves of the Indian Ocean.

See more: Explore the amazing destinations in Sri Lanka

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Admire the best museums and galleries in Muscat, Oman

With thousands of artefacts and other valuables of historic importance housed under one roof, it is worth visiting a museum, like these five museums right here in Muscat.

Al Madina Art Gallery

Based in the Muscat suburb of Madinat Qaboos, the Al Madina Art Gallery first opened its doors in 2004. Since then it has excelled in exhibiting Omani and expatriate amateur artists, as well as more established painters and photographers. The gallery includes workshops and field trips for all ages; reconnecting Oman’s growing and diversifying population with its vibrant and historic culture.
The gallery also has an impressive gift shop full of intricate Omani artefacts, many of which are made in the gallery’s workshop. Al Madina holds exhibitions for local and international visual artists in the region like French-born Juliette Thomson’s, whose work resonates with her surroundings in Oman.

The National Museum Oman

A newcomer to the cultural scene, The National Museum Oman was established in 2013 to display Oman’s cultural heritage, from prehistoric times to the present. The institution aims to spread appreciation and recognition of Oman within the Sultanate, but also to educate the international community about Oman’s role in history.

With an exhibition space and over 10 galleries, the museum hosts a permanent collection and also has a gallery for temporary exhibitions. On display are some rare gold coins and utensils found in a recently excavated 16th-century shipwreck, thought to be part of Vasco Da Gama’s fleet, among other surprising things.

Sultan’s Armed Forces Museum

Inaugurated in 1988 by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, the Armed Forces Museum is a treasured monument that houses a variety of clothes, weapons, and other defence systems from the Omani armed forces, as well as walk you through the stages of its development throughout history.

Stal Gallery

Whilst the previous Omani galleries mentioned are increasingly international in their outlook, Stal Gallery focuses on Muscat’s residents and local artists. Set up by the non-for-profit Alserkal group in September 2013, the gallery serves as a shining beacon for the artistic community of Oman. The space serves as a hub for visual art lovers and artists; with exhibitions of refreshing mixed media; from photography to lithography.

One artist currently exhibiting at Stal, Alia Alfarsi, has gained recognition from her series of striking portraits of women. The artworks are created using a collage of textures, from real fabrics to create the woman’s clothing from torn pieces of writing as if to capture the woman’s conversation.

Muscat Gate Museum

As guests ascend the stairs to the Muscat Gate Museum, they can take in a spectacular view of the city. Inside, the museum showcases Oman’s history and unique architecture, with an emphasis on the capital. There is also information about the ancient Aflaj irrigation systems, which Oman is famous for, and date back to 500 AD.

See more: Top places to visit Oman

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