Via Milano

Via Milano [#607, Asha Plaza, 3rd Floor, 80ft Peripheral Road, Koramangala] serves some authentic Italian food in a very elegant and minimalistically decorated restaurant.

Cauvery Emporium

Cauvery Karnataka State Arts & Crafts Emporium [#49, M.G. Road] sells sandalwood and rosewood carvings, carpets and silks. www.cauverycrafts.com

Bangalore Palace

Bangalore Palace [Sankey Road, Vasanth Nagar] (influenced by the architecture of Windsor Palace) is a decrepid building that the owner (Wodayar Raja of Mysore) is in the process of renovating. To pay for these renovations, he charges an exhorbitant Rs. 200 for a tour which consists largely of family photos displayed in rundown rooms and corridors. Don't even think of trying to take a photo, either inside or outside the palace as you will be charged Rs. 500 (about $13) for the privilege. If you want my advise -- skip this place.

Grand Safari

White tiger

Grand Safari combines herbivore, bear, lion, and tiger safaris into an hour long tour of Bannerghatta Biological Park.

Bannerghatta Biological Park

Elephants in the zoo

Bannerghatta Biological Park (also known as Bannerghatta National Park) is located 25km south of Bangalore. The park houses a zoo, an aquarium, and a museum.

Kashmir Government Arts Emporium

Kashmir Government Arts Emporium [#49, Commercial Street] sells beautiful pashmina/woollen shawls, silk/woollen carpets, wood carving items, and chain stitch rugs.

Kashmir Arts & Crafts

Kashmir Arts & Crafts [#175, Commercial Street] offers pashmina shawls, silk scarves, handicrafts, hand-made wall hangings, and table covers at good prices.

100ft

100ft Boutique Restaurant [#777/I, 100ft Road, HAL 2nd Stage, Indira Nagar] is a boutique, a bar, and a restaurant that offers Mediterranean cuisine in a quiet lounge setting. The boutique sells various items ranging from cushions and curtains to coffee mugs and pottery.

St. Mary's Basilica

St. Mary's Basilica

St. Mary's Basilica, built in Gothic-style, is the oldest church in Bangalore and the only church in Karnataka state that has the status of a basilica.

Gomateshvara statue

Statue of Lord Bahubali

Most people come to Shravana Belagola to see the 1000-year-old giant statue of Lord Bahubali on top of Indragiri Hill. 18-metre high, this is the world's tallest monolithic statue.

Shravana Belagola

View from Indragiri Hill

Shravana Belagola is a small town situated between Indragiri and Chandragiri Hills. It is named after the tank (pond) lying in the middle of the town. In Kannada, bel means white and kola means pond. This important Jain pilgrimmage centre is located 145km west of Bangalore.

Lost in translation

At the entrance of HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) airport there is a sign that reads "Beware of your belongings".