FOOD:-
Manali is a beautiful and a charming hill station that is a leading holiday destination in the country. The cuisine of the area is reflective of the climate and the surroundings of this hill town. The weather is cold and pleasant and the food has been modified accordingly to suit the regional requirements. The most common food dishes in Manali is typically of North India cuisine where the main staple dishes are rice, lentils, vegetables and bread. Non-vegetarian food is also popular and a lot of spices are used such as cinnamon, cloves, red chilies and cardamom. Manali is a popular holiday destination and people from all over the country visit this beautiful place therefore all kinds of cuisine are easily available at this place. There are a variety of food dishes in Manali and depending on individual preferences one can choose to enjoy what one likes. The food available in Manali is a distinctive mix of cuisines, which allows you to choose from a wide variety of food dishes ranging from Indian, Punjabi and South Indian to Chinese and Continental. Tibetian Food such as Momo's and Thupkas are really famous among the locals and the Travellers.
Since Manali is a hill station therefore the urge or the temptation to enjoy a hot cup of coffee or tea is irresistible and the wide array of cafes and restaurants are ideal to cozy up with a good book or just marvel at the views while you sip on a hot cup of brew. However, Manali also boast of a distinctive local cuisine and one of the most popular dishes is fresh corn flour that is grounded with water and eaten with milk for breakfast. The most popular food items include both non-vegetarian and vegetarian dishes. Some of the most popular vegetarian dishes are kaddu ka khatta, guchhi matter and sepu vadi while famous non-vegetarian dishes include kullu trout, grilled fish and chicken anaardana.
Traditional desserts like mittha, which is a sweet rice preparation and nasasta, a sweetmeat belonging to Kangra region are also popular with tourists from all over the country. Another famous Manali food dish that is made especially during festive season is called dham, which is an elaborate mid day meal and the preparation for it begins the night before. It is served in courses on leaf plates and the menu consists of rice, moong dal and rajma cooked in yoghurt. Later dark lentil or mash dal is served along with khatta or sweet and sour sauce made from tamarind and gur. Manali is home to a large number of restaurants and cafes and the ones situated on the Mall Road do attract lots of travelers who are guaranteed to enjoy great food amid a great ambience and scenic surroundings. The Mall Road is the hub of Manali and to catch the effervescent spirit this is the place to be and to be seen. The different type of food dishes in Manali can be found in the various restaurants in and around Manali and you can choose your pick depending on your choice and preferences.
ACCOMMODATION :-
Manali immediately brings to mind images of picturesque locales of snowcapped mountains, verdant landscapes, blooming apple orchards, rustic houses on hilltops and beautiful temples. The cool climes with refreshing surroundings do make it an idyllic destination far away from the monotonies of city life. Therefore, it isn’t surprising that most people prefer escaping to this beautiful lap of natural splendor during their holidays. Manali is a hill station and popular holiday resorts and catering to the large number of visitors each year are the Manali accommodations. They are of varying kinds catering to all kinds of different budget groups ranging from affordable and cheap Manali accommodation to luxurious five star resorts for those with a discerning taste in traveling and living. Manali witnesses a large influx of travelers each year that include honeymoon couples looking to enjoy a romantic rendezvous, families planning on their family vacation, bunch of friends looking for a adventurous tour or group of outdoor enthusiasts keen on indulging in hiking and trekking. There is a reason on why everyone loves to visit Manali and the accommodations in Manali do ensure they are able to fulfill the requirements of all the tourists visiting these two popular holiday hotspots.
The kind of accommodation that one may choose depends completely on the preferences and the kind of budget one may have. Ideally most people choose to stay in Manali and visit Kullu during the day because Manali does offer a base to explore most of the beautiful surroundings and places. Those looking enjoy a trekking trip will find places further up Manali where base camps are setup while those just looking to enjoy a relaxing holiday prefer staying in Manali and soaking in the beautiful and scenic vistas. The budgeted hotels offer all the basic facilities and it is ideal for those who may be looking for a short stay at a budgeted rate or are planning on a trekking trip and need it as a stop-gap arrangement. The other option is hotels in the mid-range category and there is plenty of accommodation in Manali available within this range that offer you a range of facilities and are ideal for families and honeymoon couples looking for a good place to stay along with dining options. Usually most mid-range hotels have in-house restaurants therefore making it convenient for travelers to dine in-house after a day of sightseeing. The third category of hotels is undoubtedly the luxurious resorts and hotels that come with all the fancy trimmings and do offer you the promise of a beautiful holiday. The rooms are beautifully decorated, the in-house dining options are impeccable and the facilities and services provided are definitely the finest. Irrespective of the choice of accommodation and the type of accommodation, one aspect that remains constant are the unbelievable views and vistas that most accommodations in Manali would provide and that makes it worthwhile to plan a trip to this magnificent wonderland.