Bengaluru

Bengaluru is vast, but the two central areas of particular interest to travellers are Gandhi Nagar (the old part of town) and Mahatma Gandhi (MG) Rd (the heart of British-era Bangalore). The Central bus stand and the City train station are on the edge of Gandhi Nagar. The crowded streets in this lively, gritty area - known locally as Majestic - teem with shops, cinemas and budget hotels. The Krishnarajendra (City) Market is here and a few remaining historical relics are to the south, including Lalbagh Botanical Gardens.

Some 4km (2.5mi) east, the area bounded by MG, Brigade, St Mark's and Residency (FM Cariappa) Rds is Bengaluru's retail and entertainment hub. Here are parks, tree-lined streets, churches, grand houses and the army compounds that are integral to this military town. Between the two areas you'll find the golf club and racecourse, close to which are several top-end hotels. Some Bengaluru streets are known better by the roads they intersect; 3rd Cross, Residency Rd, for example, refers to the third cross street on Residency Rd.