Vadodara

Buy

thumb|250px|Mangal Market Camel leather and related arts of embedding pure gold and stone colors, on camel leather and hide vessels are well known here.

Eat

There are plenty of eateries in and around the city and getting good food is not a problem. thumbnail|Khandvi is a popular Gurajati snack

Drink

thumb|Tomb of Qutb-ud-Din Muhammad Khan, the tutor of two of Mughal Emperor Akbar Khan's sons Vadodara is a nice place to be but lacks a nightlife altogether because of a blanket ban on alcohol throughout Gujarat. Foreign nationals can procure alcohol after getting a permit, but this procedure is not without its headaches.

You will need your passport plus a photocopy of your passport data page and your visa. You must ask your hotel to stamp this photocopy and write a simple statement to say that "xxx is residing at this hotel, room xxx. The fee for the permit is ₹100. The permit is valid for one month, during which time each person is allowed to buy a limited quantity - 10 units at a time (one unit is 10 large bottles of beer, or 3 bottles of wine or 1 bottle of spirits), no more than twice in six days. This should satisfy all but the heaviest of drinkers. You can use the permit at any location that sells alcohol.

The wine shop at the Hotel Kaviraj (the hotel is being refurbished but the wine shop is open on the side of the building) is open from noon to 10PM and can always issue a permit.

Stay safe

Vadodara is generally a safe city, and is heavily secured by the local cops (who may be in yellow-ochre, black, white or informal dress but in yellow-ochre socks). In the relatively unlikely event that you have any trouble, you can call 108 (emergency number).

Go next

Bharuch - Halfway between Vadodara-Surat, Bharuch is the oldest city in Gujarat. Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park (47 km from Vadovara) - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You'll see the remains of a medieval city whose architecture is special because it was Islamic buildings executed by Hindu and Jain workmen in a very unique style. Pavagadh Kalika mandir is a must see place. You may hire local taxi or auto to reach Manchi which is 5 km from Pavagadh. There is a state bus facility every hour from Pavagadh to Manchi. At Manchi, Get a Ropeway (Udan Khatola in Hindi) ticket (₹98 to and fro) one of the best ropeways in India. After getting down from ropeway, climb 250 steps to Kalika mandir. Dabhoi (33 km from the city center) - an old fortified town, originally known as Darbhavati, renowned for its gates and Jain temples, both impressive for its fine carved details Kevadia ( from Vadodara) – a small town, best known for the majestic Statue of Unity. Sankheda - Travel to Sankheda to see the making of lovely lacquer-coated furniture. Tejgadh - A village noted for its Tribal Academy of Gujarat, which is a social service organization aiming for the development of local tribals. It also operates a museum showcasing tribal crafts.