India is a country of rich contrast; from the sacred temples and opulent palaces to the crowded streets of Mumbai and the commercial Kolkata. With each new day, you can expect to experience something different from the day before.
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| Flavours of India |
Because of this, India can be a bit of an enigma. But if you want to sample different parts of India on your next trip, vary your travels with these must-sees stops along the way.
Top 10 must-see sights
1. The Taj Mahal, Agra
The world’s ultimate symbol of love. Built by a Mughal Emperor in memory of his great love.2. The waterways of Kerala
One of the “ten paradises of the world” and one of the great trips for the modern traveler. Cruise an unbelievably lush and beautiful network of rivers, lakes and canals in five-star luxury in traditional vessels.3. Imperial Delhi
One of the greatest ever expressions of empire, the vision of British colonial architect Sir Edward Lutyens includes grand processional avenues, palaces, public buildings and monuments.4. A desert safari in Rajasthan
Travel by camel or jeep through the Thar Desert, visiting historic ruins, tribal villages and sleeping in a tent under the stars.5. Gateway of India, Mumbai
Start your exploration here in the footprints of history in one of the most vibrant and exciting cities on earth.6. Temples of Southern India
Intricately carved and aesthetically designed, South Indian Temples are amongst the most beautiful architectural expressions of religion, and an integral part of the rich heritage of South India.7. Tea in Darjeeling
Once a summer retreat for the British Raj, this UNESCO World Heritage site sits above 2,000 metres, reached by a vintage steam railway. It’s surrounded by views of the Himalayas and tea plantations.8. Pink Palace, Blue Palace, you choose
Often called the "Venice of the East", Udaipur is famed for its collection of ancient palaces, some of which cover entire islands in the region’s beautiful lakes. Many are now luxury hotels.9. Goa
Like the beach life? This well visited region on India’s west coast, formerly a Portuguese enclave, still offers pristine coastlines, deserted beaches and traditional fishing communities.10. Kolkata
It’s busy, crowded, but an important centre for the arts, sciences and intellectual life. Kolkata’s Bengali cuisine is also world-famous.Awesome things you didn’t know about India
- Chess, the world-famous board game, was invented in India.
- The value of ‘pi’ used in mathematics was first calculated by the Indian mathematician Budhayana in the sixth century.
- India is one of the largest exporters of computer software products.
- The national game of India is hockey, but cricket is practically a ‘religion’.
- The Indian movie industry, known as Bollywood, makes the largest number of movies in the world.
- India's GDP per capita is expected to multiply by four times from now to 2020.
Five reasons to visit India
- The food. Indian cuisine offers an infinity of tastes, styles and flavours, from village to town to region.
- The fabrics. "Pink is the navy blue of India," declared the great fashion editor, Diana Vreeland. From Rajasthan in the west to Chennai (home of Madras cotton) in the east, stand on any street corner and watch the cerise and orange and green of the silk and cotton saris worn by women glide by.
- The history. India is one of the world’s oldest cultures on earth, with an artistic heritage to match.
- The philosophy. India is home to several of the world’s oldest religious and cultural traditions, including Hinduism, Jainism, Islam, and more.
- The friendliness. Indian people are renowned for their warmth and open hospitality.
