Be forewarned: A day or two of sightseeing won't give you the feel for Mumbai. Then again, you could spend years here and still be scratching the surface.

Unpack at a conveniently located hotel, such as The Leela Mumbai or The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. Then take a stroll along Chapel Street, decorated with technicolor murals.

A wander through Chor Bazaar will jump-start the senses. It's one of the largest markets in Asia, home to anything and everything. Farther south, the gleaming Haji Ali Dargah shrine is seen reflected in the sea, while the Fort area offers old-world charm.

Mumbai is one of the world's greatest food capitals. Feast on butter garlic crab at Trishna, try pasta and red pepper chicken at the 19th-century Leopold Café, or simply sample dosas and chaat in one of the city's many "snack alleys." For drinks? Dome, on the rooftop of the Intercontinental Hotel, offers wine and beach views.