Bengaluru: India's Tech Hub and Garden City

Bengaluru, or Bangalore as many still call it, surprised me. I was expecting a modern, tech focused city, and it is that, but it is also a city with a surprising amount of green space and a vibrant food and craft beer scene. I spent my first day at Cubbon Park, a massive green lung in the center of the city. It was a Sunday, so the park was full of families, joggers, and people just relaxing on the grass. It was a nice change of pace from the chaos of other Indian cities. The city is also known for its pubs. I visited a few breweries in the Indiranagar neighborhood, and the craft beer scene is legit. There are also some fantastic restaurants. I had a meal at a place serving modern Indian cuisine that was as good as anything I have had in a fine dining restaurant. For history, the Bangalore Palace is worth a visit. It is a Tudor style palace built in the 19th century, and it feels completely out of place in India, which is part of its charm. Bengaluru is also a great base for exploring the surrounding area, like the ancient temples of Hampi or the hill station of Coorg, which is just a few hours drive away.