Mumbai Shopping Tips by Tijavi

Nalanda Book and Music Shop: Getting intimate...with books

The shop is located at the ground floor of historic Taj Mahal Hotel. Although the shop could use some more space given the good selection of books, I really don't mind the lack of ample space for lounging and more relaxed browsing (think Borders) - I always love the intimacy found in cramped spaces, specially when your company's as stimulating...as books (what were you thinking?).

They're open from 8 AM until midnight, so busy business travelers do have ample time to visit the shop after meetings and appointments.

What to buy: Great place to buy Indian books - from coffee table books, to fiction, to business, to dictionaries. Bought a pile of artistically illustrated pocket Kamasutras - great giveaways to friends.

Also found my 'dream' dictionaries for my Spanish and Arabic classes.

And don't forget to grab a copy of showbiz magazines (Stardust, etc.) as unique mementos from the city that is home to the world's most prolific movie industry - Bollywood.

What to pay: Hard cash or plastic

Address: Taj Mahal Hotel, Mumbai

Directions: Taj Mahal Hotel is along Apollo Bunder Road fronting Mumbai's iconic symbol, the Gateway of India

Phone: (+9122) 22022514

Theme: Books

No shop in particular: Colaba is where you shop for clothes

The Colaba area in south Mumbai is perhaps the best place to shop for clothes. The serious shopper will be spoiled for choice from the very casual to formal suits. Quality-wise there Indian made clothes are comparable to their Italian counterparts, but at a fraction of the latter's price.

Directions: Colaba area in south Mumbai, behind the Taj Mahal Hotel near the Gateway of India

Theme: Men's Clothes