In India it’s not so much a case of
‘What to See’ as ‘What Not to See?’ A vast and inexhaustible cocktail of the new
and the familiar, the extraordinary and the everyday 21st century energy and
timeless tradition, India is a travel experience to
relive again and again . . .
WHAT
TO SEE
The North
Delhi
It’s impossible to miss - so big are they - Old Delhi’s two grandest
sights – the 17th century Mughal Red Fort and Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque. Wander the
frenetic alleyways of the Old
City and bazaars of Chandni Chowk for
an authentic slice of traditional India. Enjoy the contrasting space of
Rajpath and the buildings on Raisina Hill forming the centrepiece of New Delhi (whose grand
buildings were built by the British in the days of the ‘Raj’). Visit the huge
Humayun’s Tomb – another epic Mughal monument – and the 12th century
Qutab Minar complex.
Agra
See the Taj Mahal at sunset - and marvel at Shah Jahan’s
17th century poem in white marble, perhaps the greatest expression
ever of the love of an emperor for his queen. The great Agra Fort, built by the
Emperor Akbar in 1565 is another Agra architectural masterpiece. Some 20 miles
away is Akbar’s Fatehpur Sikri, a phantom abandoned city still wonderfully
preserved.
Ranthambore
National
Park
Rajasthan’s (and possibly India’s) best-known wildlife reserve, a
land of abandoned forts, forests and lakes, is famed for its sizeable tiger
population, some occasionally to be seen during daylight hours. Jackal,
mongooses, sloth bears and leopard are other inhabitants. November-to-May is the
time to come.
Jaipur
The capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur – the ‘Pink City’ - is ringed by rugged hills, crowned
with forts and enclosed by ancient walls. A ‘must’ is the superb Amber Fort with
its huge ramparts and towers, reached by elephant ride! Be sure to see the
monumental City
Palace and the Hawa Mahal,
a delightful palace with a wealth of windows and stone screens. Jai Garh, built
on a peak, overlooks the palace and city of Amber below, while Jal Mahal is Jaipur's lake
palace. Strangest of all is the Jantar Mantar - the astronomical observatory of
an 18th century Rajasthani king.
Udaipur
The ancient ivory-coloured stone facades of its lakeside City
Palace and Museum are one of
fascinating Udaipur’s most famous landmarks - by far the
largest palace complex in Rajasthan. Across Pichola Lake
is the renowned white-marble Lake Palace, while two other impressive grand
palaces to visit are Shiv Niwas and Fateh Prakash. Nearby Eklingji, is an
extraordinary marble complex of 108 temples, some nearly 1,300 years old.
Jodhpur
Rajasthan’s third great city is dominated by the Mehrangarh Fort,
whose towering walls and sheer cliffs conceal a labyrinth of lavishly decorated
palaces. The Art Deco style Umaid Bhawan Palace, built during the 1920s and 30s,
boasts 347 rooms and is both a hotel and one of the largest private residences
in the world.
Shimla
Nestling in the Middle Himalayas, hillside Shimla was the summer
capital of the British ‘Raj’ in India. Its pedigree still shows in a
host of bizarre architectural contrasts. There’s heaps to explore in and around
the town - including The Mall (the main shopping area), the Victorian Christ
Church, the mock-Tudor Library, the Town Hall, the timber-lined General Post
Office, the old Gaiety Theatre, the gracious Cecil Hotel (rebuilt to its 1877
grandeur) and the most impressive colonial edifice of all, the former Viceregal
Lodge.
The South
Goa
It’s those shimmering Arabian Sea beaches and an array of resort
hotels that bring most visitors to Goa today.
But its unique history makes Goa unlike any other part of the country – a blend
of both Indian and European cultures, with - in Old Goa - Portuguese-style
central squares and Indian bazaars, huge baroque churches (don’t miss the great
Se Cathedral and the Basilica of Bom Jesus where St Francis Xavier is buried)
and Hindu temples, Konkani folk songs and echoes of Portuguese dance and music.
The older streets of Panaji, the state capital on the Mandovi River, also preserve much of that same
Portuguese heritage.
Kerala
To appreciate the true magic of Kerala take a private houseboat
cruise along the famous ‘Backwaters’ - amid palm trees, rice fields, birds,
forests and rural villages. Before or after your cruise stay in colourful
Kochi (Cochin), where Arab, Chinese, Dutch and
British and Portuguese seafarers and traders have left their mark. The Chinese
fishing nets swaying in the breeze over Backwaters, the Jewish Synagogue,
Dutch Palace, Portuguese architecture and the Boghatty Palace all confirm the city’s rich
heritage. High in the ranges of the Western Ghats is Periyar National
Park, its focal point the picturesque Periyar Lake and its main appeal the many elephant
families that roam here. Kovalam is on an attractive beach
near Trivandrum
where rocky hills merge with the seashore – and is noted for its Ayurvedic
massage centres. Varkala beach is another beautiful spot, where cliffs drop
sharply into the sea, a strip of sandy beach at their base.
Tamil Nadu
Extend your tour of Kerala to visit its neighbouring state to the
west, Tamil Nadu, which comes packed with temples, teeming wildlife sanctuaries,
age-old monuments and miles of beaches. Visit historic Chennai (Madras), the ‘City of a Thousand Temples’, Madurai and its celebrated Meenakshi Temple and the cool heights of the former
British hill station of ‘Ooty’, snuggled in the Nilgiri Hills and still
preserving a unique charm.
WHAT TO DO
The North
In Delhi shopping is a definite ‘must do’. There
are some terrific bargains to be had – and if you’re not inclined to haggle in
markets and bazaars then fixed-price government emporia will do the business.
You’ll find a number of ‘in’ places to eat out and for evening entertainment
(from classical dance to discos), both in hotels and the city. Do take in the
Sound-and-Light Show at the Red Fort. In Agra visit the Taj Mahal at different times
(dusk and dawn are best. Night visits (possible on the nights around a full
moon) are unforgettable. Agra has many shops selling various stone inlay
products and is noted for its leather goods. In the cities of Rajasthan shopping
is high on most visitor agendas. You’ll find it very easy to spend on items like
dhurries, carpets, handicrafts, antiques, semi-precious stone jewellery,
miniature paintings, textiles and stoneware.
The South
In Goa it’s essentially the pool and
beach that drive the visitor’s lifestyle. Windsurfing is popular at many resorts
- and lake-like Dona Paula
Bay is ideal for beginners.
Sailing and waterskiing are other options. River cruises and speedboat coastal
trips require less energy. Scuba-diving is a local favourite, with most
activities taking place around Grande Island. Shopping is another serious
time-thief in Goa – in everything from
government emporia to cosmopolitan department stores, designer boutiques to
makeshift beach and roadside stalls. Anjuna Beach is the setting of the amazing
Wednesday flea market – unlike any other market you’ve ever seen and where a
thousand stalls sell everything you could ever possibly want. Goa’s nightlife can also be as quiet or as hectic as you
want to make it. There’s live entertainment at many resorts and dancing till
late at the lively nightclubs in Calangute and, increasingly, in Candolim and
Arpora.