PVR Anupam-4, Saket Community Centre, Saket
Halls : 4, Ticket (Rs) : 150
With its state-of-the art technology and its wonderful mix of the best from Hollywood and Bollywood, the multiplex has revolutionised the movie going habits of the Delhi cinema buffs. Equally irresistible are the tubs of crackling hot popcorn with that extra dollop of butter and the chilled Pepsi to pep up the spirits. Worth waiting in the serpentine queues for tickets. Tel : 26522938, 26865999. Fax : 6524162.

PVR Priya, Basant Lok, Vasant Vihar
Halls : 1, Ticket (Rs) : 45, 75, 90, 125
The best place to be when you need to drive away boredom. Surrounded by all the happening stores and restaurants, the auditorium has an impeccable selection of Hollywood hits to add to its allure. Tel : 26140048, Fax : 6148577.

Chanakya, Yashwant Place, Chanakyapuri
Halls : 1, Ticket (Rs) : 65, 100
Fountains, a restaurant to bide your time, a full fledged parking lot, a lobby with eats, a mixed repertoire of the best from Hollywood and Bollywood and an audi equipped with the latest DTS equipment. Need one ask for more? Yes, the burgers are soggy and need looking into. Tel : 24674009, 24670423.

Delite, Opp. G B Pant Hospital, Asaf Ali Road
Halls : 1, Ticket (Rs) : 45, 80
The theatre went in for modernisation recently. A 70 mm screen, with a perfectly functioning in-house air conditioning plant and a fairly large sized capacity make for pleasant viewing. Also reccomended are the eats at the in-house cafetaria which has ample room to lounge. Tel : 23271067, 23272549, 23272903

Liberty, New Rohtak Road, Karol Bagh, Delhi
Halls : 1, Ticket (Rs) : 50, 70
A haven for quality conscious West Delhi cinema buffs. Wide screen, spacious lobby, well tended surroundings make for pleasant viewing. Tel : 25724836, 25728800

Odeon, D-Block, Connaught Place, Delhi
Halls : 1, Ticket (Rs) : 50, 80
Cool and comfortable, with a dolby sound system, the auditorium has a spacious balcony and is centrally located. A convenient get-away for shoppers who need to relax. Tel : 23322167, 26322604.

Rachna, 2, Rajendra Place, Pusa Road, Karol Bagh, Delhi
Tel : 2571358

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Fabindia
Probably one of the finest shopping complexes in Delhi, Fabindia houses myriad varieties of clothes, both for men and women’s line of clothing. The Greater Kailash outlet is very popular among the teenyboppers as much as the families. Fabindia’s core strength lies in its ethnicity as much as the variety. You can be just sure of the latest style, fabric and the what’s haute variety. If you’re a salwar-kurta freak, this is an ideal place for you to shop. If you are thinking of furnishing your house with dhurries, quilts, jacquards, and appliqués, or planning to buy kurtas in silks and cottons, in mix and match coordinates; skirts and jackets in wool, cotton and silk; Jodpur chappals, clay pottery, jute odds and ends, they are all available under one roof. Another of its outlet is in Vasant Kunj, a smaller version than the Gk shop, here too you can shop to your delight with none fussing or pressurizing you to buy. It’s a fixed price shop, where you can be sure of quality shopping. Fabindia has now come a long way in representing the cultural heritage of our country something akin to Khadi Gramudyog. What makes it more popular is its central location at GK-I and the haute ‘n’ ethnic culture it represents.

Dilli Haat
The traditional handicrafts Bazar set in the lovely locales of Sri Aurobindo Marg reminds the shoppers of the village fares. The food and craft Bazar is a treasure hunt of the Indian culture, tradition and cuisines. A unique shopping place, set in the heart of the city, Dilli Haat transports you to the good old yore of village days when fares were a regular pastime. You can buy the Kantha sarees of West Bengal, bidri work from Karnataka and Andhra, Bamboo and cane work from Assam, Aari embroidery from Kashmir, Wooden icons from Tamil Nadu, and the panels from Bastar, the list is endless. It’s a fun place for those who’re coming for the first time, and for repeat shoppers. Usually, this is a no-bargain place.

Sarojini Nagar
The shopping place of Sarojini Nagar is best suited for those looking for a good value for money. Here, you have an export-market for the teenyboppers, and is a real treat as they cost oodles less than their high-street counterparts in the branded shops. You will find clothes made for GAP, Van Huesen, Joe Boxer, and Levis - perfect imitations being sold for a song. Do not, for sure, miss this wonderful bargain spot where you can find even elitists brushing shoulders with you. Terrific bargains! Usually popular among the college goers, Sarojini Nagar is ideal for the families too. Salwar-kurtas are available in all price ranges, while handbags are dirt-cheap. A perfect destination for sarees, Sarojini Nagar is getting more and more popular. On the other side of the market, you have another segment called Babu market, which has shops selling all kinds of products - salwar-kurtas, sarees, crockery, and grocery, et al. These places offer a good variety of novelties, gifts and handicraft items at bargain prices. The more up-market Santushti Shopping Complex, only a short drive away sells silks and pashminas and also jewellery. Its Basil and Thyme restaurant is a favourite hangout for Delhi’s elite and serves good risotto & pasta.

Noida
Noida’s hustle bustle is best seen in its popular Atta Market, which comprises all kinds of products. This is primarily useful for those who need not come all the way to Delhi’s shopping centres. This is a boon for the Noida residents. With innumerable showrooms of popular brands like Levi’s, Allen Solly, and Benetton, Atta Market is getting into the league of an up-market shopping complex. Don’t forget to visit the classy Meena Bazar that stocks trinkets and ethnic fabrics, and many footwear shops. Sector-18 Market is a Mecca for the food lovers. This hip ‘n’ happening market has a slew of restaurants of all shapes and sizes and some stunning showrooms like Gutz - a shoe showroom, Ebony - a departmental store, Giants - a lovely shopping mall, Nans - the ever popular mall, Li’l Tomatoes for kids. Though this shopping complex isn’t as crowded as the Atta market, you’re bound to brush shoulders with Noida’s elite crowd. Noida’s markets are not just shopping complexes; they’re an extension of people’s wants and desires culminating into popular showrooms. For those who are looking for trivials, a visit to the Atta’s Meena Bazar is a sure must. You’re sure to be reminded of Janpath and Dilli Haat. You will find a rare mix of both high profile showrooms and small time shops, both competing side by side to woo the customers.

Chandni Chowk
Chandni Chowk is another place for shopping lovers, especially for those who buy in bulk and know the place. Antiques, gold and silver jewellery, exquisite paintings, silk, cotton and leather materials, dress materials, sarees, salwar-kurta, wedding dresses are available aplenty. You can visit the China bazaar, which is a house to thousands of smuggled goods sold at mind-boggling prices. Not just these, you have separate lanes for salwar-kurtas, sarees - the variety is amazing. Chandni Chowk is a big market for silver, and for others too. Do not miss Dariba Kalan, where you can find many jewellery shops like Ratan Chand Jwala Nath Jewellers, Basheshar Nath & Sons, Bhagwan Dass Khanna Jewellers, Frontier Jewellers, Bhagwati Jewellers, Deepak Jewellers, to name just a few. If you go down to Chawri Bazar and Nai Sarak, you’ll witness Delhi’s big stationery and books market. One of the oldest Saree shops, Ram Chandra Krishna Chandra has a wide range in colours, patterns, weaves and fabric. Don’t miss the Paranthewaali Gali, wherein you’ll get to eat the most delicious parathas you’ve eaten in your life. And no visit to this area is complete without sampling a jalebi (a sweetmeat made of flour, fried and dipped in sugar syrup) at the jalebiwallah at the mouth of the lane to Dariba Kalaan. Also, the Ghantewala sweets shop is known to have existed since the Mughal time, and is one of the most popular sweets shops in Chandni Chowk.

Khan Market
For those who are looking for sophisticated and classy products, don’t miss the age-old Khan market. Over the last 50 years since this market’s inception, it has seen a lot of changes and has grown to suit the urban demands. It is still a favourite place for many books, handicrafts and music lovers. With numerous bookshops, eateries, music shops and furnishing stores and from exotic fruits, vegetables, flowers and books to hi-tech gadgets and CDs, Khan market has it all. A favoured destination among the embassy crowd and the elitists, and tourists, this market is a rage among those who live in south Delhi. You have hip and happening stores that give this place an up-market feel. Stores like the famous Full Circle and Bahri Sons Booksellers - a bookstore cum café, Snowhite office superstore, The Home Store - a furnishing outlet, Bizarre - Contemporary western wear, Anokhi - a boutique, Archies Gallery, The Music Shop - a complete musical experience, MEC Art Gallery - Paintings, acrylics, water colours, The Pet Shop - especially for pet lovers, and the famous Shenaz Hussain café cum beauty parlour, cum store are a must visit. Khan Market is not just a shopping area; it’s more of a phenomenon combining shopping with variety, quality with habit and loyalty with genuineness. Generations have shopped here as regulars, and this place continues to fancy them despite other bigger and newer shopping complexes in Delhi. If you want to buy anything from dawn to dusk, from pin to plane, you need not look further - reach Khan Market and shop to your heart’s content.

Connaught Place
Connaught Place is one of the most happening shopping places in Delhi. This sprawling area is a house to many Government run emporiums including Central Cottage Industries Emporium (332 0439), a rambling six-storey government shop where you can buy anything from a 12ft ornamental elephant god to a packet of Darjeeling tea to jewellery, the Jammu and Kashmir Emporium that has good carpets and shawls, Khadi Gramudyog Bhavan which offers kurta-pyjamas, jackets, and many more. In all the emporiums, the prices are clearly displayed and are fixed. You can pick up a pure pashmina shawl for £150, while a pashmina/silk mix costs £50. There is a jewellery section as well as a floor full of children’s toys. The United Coffee Shop five minutes’ walk away is a pleasant air-conditioned refuge: it serves espresso, as well as Indian and continental food. Besides these, CP has the local shopping markets including the very popular Janpath market that offers myriad varieties of western dresses for women - tops, skirts, trousers, long dresses, T-shirts, wrap-around, et al - at extremely affordable prices. Bargaining is a must here (upto 50%). Adjacent to Janpath is Palika Bazar, an underground shopping complex. A must-see for those coming to Delhi for the first time, Palika offers the usual shopping curios. Don’t, for sure, miss the inner circle, a circle comprising showrooms and restaurants. Connaught Place has many popular restaurants such as Wimpy’s, Nirula’s, Berco’s, Keventers, Café 100, San Marzano, Pizza Hut, L-twelve, Croissants, et al.

Lajpat Nagar
The Shoppers’ Mecca for ages, Lajpat Nagar market has it all - fresh vegetables, dyed dupattas, fabrics of all types and sizes, men and women’s line of clothing, kids wear, footwear, wedding dresses and decorations, curios and trinkets, et al. You name it and you have it. A good place for bargaining, Central Market is one of the best bets in Delhi. A predominant place for salwar-kurta, Central Market offers an amazing variety. Don’t forget to check out Aanchal and Shehnai The Boutique for salwar-kurta, The studios for classic Western wear, Dayal Opticals for stylish sunglasses, Home Saaz for stunning interiors, Jewel Palace for jewellery, Time zone for watches, Ritu Wears for a complete shopping experience, et al. However, you would be lucky to find a good parking place. This place is packed with eating joints, every 50 metres. You can just grab a drink, if you’re feeling thirsty. It’s a delight for the people in the know, as they know exactly where to go and get the best shopping bets.
Do not forget to bargain, as the shopkeepers may try to fleece you. Bargaining range: 10 - 25%.

I don’t like going away on tours and I certainly don’t like going to places which are anywhere above the sea level relative to where I am sitting right now at my home. But I went against that usual policy yesterday when I decided on the spur of the moment to tag along with some friends on a trip to Shimla. They were planning to go on their bike which actually scared me a bit. Hero Honda bikes especially Splendor and Passion are not known for their performances so I doubted their ability to drive comfortably on the hilly region that comes on the way to Shimla from Panchkula. So, we adjusted our plan a bit, decided to take a chauffer driven car. This decision later proved to be very good indeed.

I am afraid of heights. Let me repeat that I am DEAD afraid of heights. So, our first stop at Timber Trail Parwanoo was a pretty scary one. I don’t know how high the other cable cars in the country are, but this one was high. Apparently, now that I think about it, the beer I had on the way to Parwanoo helped a lot because I did actually got into the cable car and actually survived to journey to the destination hill and back in one piece. It was a really scary scene from the trolley but was a damn good experience indeed. If you even traveled to this place, I do recommend taking out an hour or so and taking this awesome journey on ropes!

Next in line were small towns like Dharampur, Kalka, and Solan where we stopped for little while and took pictures. We also had our lunches at some dhaba on the way. We did not stopped for long at any of these places for the lack of time as we had planned only a 24 hour journey with one night stay. We were also thinking of going to Kufri if time allowed.

We almost made it to Shimla in good time for us to plan the quick trip to Kufri when it started raining cats and dogs on us as we just entered the city. It was raining like someone decided to submerge the city into waters. It was not only raining, even small snow balls were dropping. Even the car wipers running at the full speed were not able to get the visibility good enough for us to carry on. Apparently, scenarios like these are pretty common in Shimla considering the city was moving as nothing extraordinary had happened. But we were stuck. Going ahead in that kind of weather in unknown territory (Kufri) was not a good idea considering we were driving a smallish Zen on the slippery roads that were as wide as roads inside small markets in old Delhi.

We tried 4 hotels on the main road but none had any rooms. Considering it was almost the peak season days, we almost were terrified of the situation if we could not have found a room. Luckily it stopped raining (which we found out later that it was what normally happens. The weather is pretty volatile!) And we got some time to travel around Mall Road in Shimla. Nothing much amusing to me but it was fun none the less. The summer fiesta was going on and their was a big festival like atmosphere on the church ground on the Mall Road. We got to see Silk Route perform (well, we almost did except for the unreasonable delays that drove us nuts) and we got to see the initial rounds of Miss Shimla 2004 contest (Don’t ask!).

Then it was back to room hunt and we ended up in a pretty discreet lounge called Hill Bloom which gave us a smallish room at an hefty 600 bucks for the night. At least we had a place to sleep in! Later on it was pretty normal. We shot all kind of snaps on the Mall Road, had our dinner and later on went to sleep. And avoiding any more unexpected delays, we left back for home today morning and reached back at around 12. We had another round of showers with snow balls on our way back but this time we were less scared! Although it was not a proper holiday or a vacation, it was still a thrilling experience that would make me prepare for my next trip more carefully. Photos we clicked on the trip depends upon how good they came from the digital camera we used and I shall be able to post a few of them as and when I get access to them (ah for the lack of proper equipment on my PC).