Calcutta , General info:
6/10

New name is KOLKATA - that is closer how it used to be pronounced in the native language - Bengali.

Airport code is still the old code CCU for Calcutta. The airport is on northeast corner of metro - also also called Dum Dum from the local township name.

If going by train, try station names of HOWRAH or SEALDAH - the latter is a friendlier terminus, but less trains go there. Howrah is the traditional rail terminus - on other side of river Ganges.

Calcutta , Cheap stuff:
9/10

Great food - whether Mughlai or sweets, and most reasonable price among metro Indian cities.

'Get Well' Clinic is the best as well as very cheap PHYSIOTHERPY & ACUPRESSURE Centre. You can get really sincer and dedicated treatment here.

Calcutta , Different stuff:
8/10

Tough driving and narrow / slow roads.

Calcutta , Don't miss:
10/10

Victoria Memorial.

Darjeeling - a hill town about 600 km north.

Digha - a seaside resort - about 4 hours drive

Calcutta , Food:
10/10

Great food everywhere in this city

Calcutta , Hotels:
8/10

Quite a few 4 and 5 star hotels

Calcutta , Safety:
7/10

Safer than other towns - but beware of pickpocketing.

Hyderabad-Deccan , General info:
7/10

A 400-year-old city founded by the Qutbishahi kings near the ancient Golconda forts, Hyderabad has been the seat of Nizams. Aftre India's freedom, it has been the capital of Hyderabad state, and since 1960 the capital of Andhra Pradesh. It is emerging as a vibrant knowledge centre, with its strong base of Information technology and biiotechnology sector. The Charminar is its symbol, a domed four-pillared 182-foot structure, that testifies to the triumph of human endeavour over pestilence. It is said to have been built to mark the city's resurrectin from plague.

Hyderabad-Deccan , Cheap stuff:
5/10

Being almost a geographic centre of the Indian sub-continent, it reflects the merger and blending of different linguistic and social sub-cultures of India. One finds a fair mix of various ethnic groups. One can see the ancient and the modern co-existing in this city. The maximum number of films in any language other than Hindi are made in Hyderabad, ie in Telougu. Ramoji Film City, located 30 km from the city, is a landmark. Well, landmarks abound.

Hyderabad-Deccan , Don't miss:
7/10

The Golconda, The Char Minar, Salarjung Museum, Tank Bund, The State Assembly, The Birla Temple, Shilparamam, Ramoji Film City, Osmania University, Banjara Hills.Falaknuma Palace

The Pathargatti, on way to Charminar has jewellery and pearl shops.

Hyderabad-Deccan , Food:
2/10

A variety of food. Vegetarian and non-vegetarian. The Hyderabadi biryani is famous.

Hyderabad-Deccan , Hotels:
2/10

A variety to choose from. Some of them are on par with the best in the world.

Hyderabad-Deccan , Safety:
2/10

Well, if you overlook the bit of rash driving on all roads.