Delhi – A City with Character
You are likely to land here if you are visiting North India. And if so, you will probably be told that Delhi’s growing crime rate is real, but there is more to Delhi than that! It is a modern city with a very rich historical heritage: its architecture is varied and especially its monuments, tombs, temples, and ruins of old Delhi are very interesting.
Shopping in the district of Sarojini Nagar and Janpath, varied food in all the streets of the city, the medieval village of Hauz Khas, hippie district of Paharganj… These are things that everyone appreciates in Delhi, however, travelers who love luxury or good diners will also find their happiness with all the upscale shopping centers and luxury stores in town.
The city is very large and each area is like a different world. (You can get lost while walking the alleys of Chandni Chowk). Highways connect these different worlds. In Delhi there is everything, and all this makes for a fascinating metropolis where you can spend months without getting bored and discover all these fabulous corners.
Agra – Much More Than Taj Mahal
Agra, in Uttar Pradesh in North India. Yes, we all know that the unmistakably beautiful Taj Mahal (especially with the light changes at dawn and dusk) is a big part of Agra’s reputation, but there are many other places to see here.
The Agra Fort, the Baby Taj (a small unfinished version of the Taj Mahal in black), the tomb of Akbar and the fortress city of Fatehpur (Fatehpur Sikri) are all famous monuments, each with its unique historical significance and its genius architectural.
This is what you would expect from a city that was the capital of India under the Mughals. The city of Agra itself can be an experience.
Many bazaars are gathered and most of the monuments border the Yamuna River along the east side of the city.
Taj Ganj is the area around the Taj Mahal where you will find inexpensive accommodation and many small artisans who make replicas of the Taj Mahal in Marble Inlay as well as other fine works of art.
Sadar Bazaar is another area where you will find more chic accommodation, handcrafted emporiums, and many restaurants. Further north of Agra Fort is the Kinari commercial bazaar which surrounds Jama Masjid, the Friday mosque.
Agra provides an excellent overview of the Mughals’ extravagance and artistic impulses and of life under their reign.
Jaipur – The Pink City
Jaipur is one of the largest and busiest cities in the state of Rajasthan in northern India. Browse the bazaars of the old town (which are arranged in a courtyard around the city palace) for handicrafts and souvenirs, ethnic clothes, textiles and accessories of great beauty, culinary dishes typical of the region (the “kachori” of “Kanji” deserves to be tested: it is the traditional “dal bati” that can only be found in Jaipur).
Fort Amber is, of course, a must-see monument with a very enriching sound and light show. The brightness of the Sheesh Mahal (palace of mirrors) by day, the temple of Galtaji (or the temple of the monkey), the fort of Nahargarh and the lesser-known royal cenotaphs are the main attractions of the periphery While Hawa Mahal – the Palace of Winds is a visual delight of the city.
Photography enthusiasts will no longer know where to head for Jaipur with its incredible Rajasthani architecture.
If you feel like going green after all these tours, head to the Ram Niwas Gardens and visit the Central Museum in the southern part of the city.
