Where to go in India

Jaipur, the first city of Rajasthan, is a fascinating juxtaposition of forts and palaces. Visit the Amer Fort, where you can lose yourself for half a day. Imagine the opulence of a life gone by as you explore the City Palace with rare photographs. Jaipur is a shopper’s paradise and a walking tour through the streets of the old city.

Start and end this trip in Delhi, India’s capital. Old Delhi has one of the largest mosques in Asia, chaotic streets, and an excellent spice market; and New Delhi, the much less crowded former British capital designed by Lutyens.

Kerala’s central city, Cochin, is famous for its Chinese fishing nets and the Old Fort, where you can lose yourself in cafes, art galleries, and antique shops. Take a houseboat trip on the unique backwaters; we recommend a more leisurely two-night cruise stopping off at little villages along the way and meeting people with the warmest smiles you’ll find in all of India.

In the hills, you’ll find old British hill stations and tea plantations. A trip to Periyar is to venture into a world of sultry spices and wildlife, elephants, otters, and perhaps even a tiger. A fantastic way to end a trip to Kerala is to relax on one of its beaches, Marari or Neeleswaram, where waves lap against the shore, accompanied by beautiful sunrises and sunsets and the occasional dolphin playing in the waves.

Each city within India has its own distinct style, character, food, and culture. Varanasi is the oldest living city in the world; stroll along the ghats, take a boat ride on the Ganges and witness people lost in prayer and ancient puja ceremonies that haven’t changed through millennia. Lucknow is a city of fine culture, fine craft, and the finest cuisine, a food tour here is a must, the chikan kari embroidery work is beautiful, and the Bara Imambara is the only structure of its kind in the world. The Residency, the site of the first Indian Uprising in 1857, still has cannon shot dents in its walls.

Khajuraho is famous for its erotic temples but look beyond that to the exquisite craftsmanship and incredible architecture, both extraordinary feats for their time. Close by is Panna National Park making this a great place to combine culture with a safari. The Gwalior Fort and the Scindia Palace Museum showcase the extraordinary wealth and quirks of the former royal family. In the early 1890s, the Maharaja not only built a private railway in the palace grounds but also had a solid silver train built specifically to take the condiments around his dining table!

Bengal, considered India’s cultural center, has produced countless authors, poets, artists, and filmmakers. It is easy to be captivated by Calcutta, the former capital of British India, with its crumbling colonial architecture, fascinating history, hand-pulled rickshaws, centuries-old markets, and leisurely sunset boat rides on the Hooghly River.

The champagne of Darjeeling, also known as tea, made this hill station famous, and its lower slopes are blanketed with emerald-green bushes. In colonial times it was the favored summer retreat of the East India Company, and this faded colonial elegance, and spectacular mountain views, particularly in winter.

India’s far northeast states are known as the seven sisters, the most famous of which is Assam. It has a culture made up of countless tribes, Tibetan as well as British influences, a rich heritage of art and craft, and unique wildlife with heart-warming conservation stories.

As a former Portuguese colony, the tiny state of Goa retains a different character from the rest of India. Beaches are interspersed with attractive villages and charming small towns. The old capital Fontainhas has brightly colored houses, whitewashed churches, and palm-lined plazas. Goa is also a hot spot for the Indian party set, with a dizzying choice of bars and restaurants. However, Goa is also developing as a soft adventure and birding destination.

North and south Goa have totally different atmospheres. The northern resorts offer a taste of the bohemian lifestyle, complete with weekly flea markets, while the southern shores provide peace and privacy in larger, resort-style hotels. Mumbai has a frenetic energy, but the city’s heart contains incredible colonial-era and art deco architecture. Explore more and uncover unique bazaars, hidden temples, hipster enclaves, and India’s premier restaurants and nightlife.