St Paul’s cathedral

Places to Visit
St Paul’s cathedral, close to BBD, beyond Park Street, Kolkata, was built in 1847, in Gothic Revival style with stained glass windows and two frescoes in Florentine Renaissance style, partly rebuilt after the 1934 Calcutta Earthquake. The building itself stands on the “island of attractions” in Kolkata – beside the Victoria Memorial, Nandan, Rabindra Sadan theatre complex, and the Birla Planetarium. Victoria memorial, BBD, Kolkata, was built in 1921, memorial building dedicated to Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom and Empress of India, which is located in Kolkata, India – the capital of West Bengal and a former capital of British India. It currently serves as a museum and a tourist attraction Minerva Theatre, 6, Utpal Dutta Sarani Kolkata – 700006, was built at the place where stood the Great National Theatre in the yester years. The maiden play held on this stage was ‘Macbeth’. This theatre was inaugurated on 28th January, 1893. Sri Girish Chandra Ghosh gave the last spectacular performance of his life in this theatre. “Minerva” was incinerated in 1922. However, it was thoroughly renovated and in 1925, it regained its old status and play acting was resumed. Town Hall, 4, Esplanade Row (West), Kolkata – 700001, A lottery was arranged and from the huge collection, the ‘Town Hall’ was built in 1814.

However, it was not built for staging of plays but for the proper maintenance of sculptures. Mrs. Litch performed a play ‘The Card Party’ in 1836 for the first time here. The play became extremely popular. Later on, legendary actors viz., Girish Ghosh, Dharmadas Sur and artistes of their ilk, performed there for some time. The Town Hall exists even to this day with all its pristine glory. Princep ghat, Ghats of Hoogly, between Water Gate and St. George’s gate, The Palladian porch in the memory of eminent orientalist James Prinsep, famous for deciphering the inscriptions of Ashoka, was designed by W. Fitzgerald and constructed in 1843 Indian Museum, Chowringhee, Kolkata, is the largest museum in India and has rare collections of antiques, armour and ornaments, fossils, skeletons, mummies, and Mughal paintings. It was built in 1814. Tagore’s House, 246D Rabindra Sarani BBD Bagh Rabindra Bharati University, Rabindranath Tagore’s comfortable 1784 family mansion has become a shrine-like museum to India’s greatest modern poet. Even if his personal effects don’t inspire you, some of the well-chosen quotations might spark an interest in Tagore’s deeply Universalist philosophy. There’s also a decent gallery of paintings by his family and contemporaries. The photo of Tagore with Einstein could win a ‘World’s Wildest Hair’ competition.

Things to do
Shopping Areas
Park Street
New Market
Hogs Market – Oldest Market of Kolkata

Interesting Tours
History – Learn the stories behind Dalhousie Square Park (now BBD Bagh) and the nearby Howrah Bridge with Calcutta Walks’ ‘In the footsteps of the Raj’ tour. Local historian Iftekhar Ehsan leads a walking tour of the area that was once India’s most important precinct, back when it was the seat of governance for the British colonial authorities. Ehsan explains the origins of iconic buildings like the Great Eastern Hotel, which was Asia’s first air-conditioned hotel; the Writers’ Building, which houses the State Secretariat; and St John’s Church—all of which are about to be renovated as part of a project to restore this entire heritage quarter. (www.calcuttawalks.com) From Rs 1,500.

Culinary – Unravel the city’s culinary influences with Compact Calcutta’s The Calcutta Gastronomics tours. Start the day with an English breakfast at Flury’s café, before stopping at Nahoum, known for its Jewish ginger candies. Next, visit Oven Fresh and Kookie Jar, where traditional sweets are given a modern twist. Sample more conventional sweets like rasgullas at Nayapatti Market, before heading to Kasturi for a lunch of local specialities like chingri kochu shak, or shrimps in coconut mustard sauce. (www.compactcalcutta.com) From Rs 5,000, including food tasting

River Cruise – Visit millenium park on ganges ghat for river cruise with good food, about 10 mins from park street, some prominent tour conductors are Silver Jet, Floatel, Vivada etc… Tours offered range from 30 min sunset tours to 3 – 4 hour long dinner tours to 7 hour city tours to 3 – 4
day river tour to the holy city of Varansi.

Eat…
Kewpies Kitchen, 2 Elgen Lane, Lala Lajpat Rai Sarani, Kolkata, A British era house, converted by a Times columnist into an authentic Bengali cuisine experience. If you are in Kolkata only for a day, this is the place you must go. Girish Ch Dey & Nakur Ch Nandy, 56 Ramdulal Sarkar Street, Kolkata, is famous for their wide variety of traditional sondesh. 6 Ballygunge Place, 6, Ballygunge Terrace, Kolkata 700019, Another restaurant famous for authentic Bengali cuisine Peter Cat, 18, Park Street, Kolkata, is famous for its sizzlers and fish kebabs, a very old restaurant in the city known for its signature dishes like chelo kebab, Harem’s joy. Mocambo, Mirza Ghalib street, Park Circus area, Kolkata 700000, has a huge menu and is famous among locales for its Chinese and continental offerings. Bohemian, 32/4, Old Ballygunge 1st Lane, Ballygunge, Kolkata, is a casual dining style restaurant serves contemporary fusion cuisine. It is advisable to get the table reserved in advance. The Bridge, The Floatel Hotel, 9/10 Kolkata Jetty, Strand Road, Bara Bazar, Kolkata, The restaurant at The Floatel, the floating hotel on the banks of river hugli. Bar available.

And of course, drink.
Clubs
Tantra, The Park, Park Street, Kolkata, The luxury bar and night club in Kolkata- Tantra, has two bars, a pulsating dance floor, a hangout area and ample of space to move and groove. Innovative novel theme nights, with celebrities, fashion shows and special Sunday jam sessions make it the city’s busiest address at night. Venom, 6 Camac Street, Fort Knox, Circus Avenue , Kolkata, With some great in-house music including In-House, Trance, Hip-Hop and Bollywood, it is fast becoming a popular place amongst the party animals of Kolkata Roxy, The Park, Park Street , Kolkata, Epitomizing the glamour and style of the 60s, Roxy combines aesthetic experimentation and sophisticated wit. With 56 varieties of wines from the world over, and an extensive cocktails list including daiquiris, margaritas, martinis and champagne cocktails, it’s no surprise that Roxy brings nightlife back on Park Street with new vigour. Pubs & Lounges

Caught & Bowled, City Centre, Block B, Salt Lake , Kolkata, An excellent place for pubbing, they have a well-equipped bar with a wide variety of drinks. They also have a good menu of Chinese cuisine. Someplace Else, Lower Ground Level, the Park, Park Street, Kolkata, The ever-evolving British Pub has been a favourite of the city and serves a variety of international liquor and is popular for tequila shots, margaritas and draught beer Plush, 15, The Astor, Shakespeare Sarani , Kolkata, A cut above the rest, it is lounging with a different meaning. A quick getaway from the daily discord or a reason to celebrate, this lounge comes replete with the most sophisticated ambience to add zing to any evening The Ivory Kitchen, West Side Mall, 22, 5th Floor, Block-D, Camac Street , Kolkata, Lounge with a 40-seater hookah bar.

Hotels
Hotel Palace – 13 Chowringhee Lane Area, Park Street, Kolkata 700016 – Lonely Planet reviewed – INR 960 and above Live in Service Apartments – 23B Lake Temple road beside shivmandir, Southern Avenue Kolkata 700029 – Slightly inside the city but value for money with good breakfast – INR 1200 and above Rossa Guest House – DI 225, 1st Floor, Salt Lake, Kolkata – 91 – Recommended B&B by Tripadvisor – INR 1500 and above The Best Inn – 1B Sushil Sen Road Kolkata 700025 – INR 2100 and Above Bawa Walson – 5A Sudder Street, Kolkata 700016, India (Formerly Shilton Hotel) – Trip Advisor Good value hotel – INR 2991 and above Floatel – 9/10 Kolkata Jetty, Kolkata 700001 – floating hotel – INR 3710 and above