India’s capital, New Delhi, lies on the Indo-Gangetic Plain, within the National Capital Territory of Delhi. Made up of the ancient walled city of Old Delhi and the more modern sector, New Delhi, the city encompasses a staggering array of beautiful buildings, including three UNESCO World Heritage Sites – the grand, sandstone Red Fort, striking Qutab Minar, and fascinating Humayun's Tomb. Architecture enthusiasts will delight in the iconic Lotus Temple. Hear ‘qawwalis’ (devotional music) at the dargah (tomb) of the Sufi saint Nizam-ud-din Auliya; or wander through the 17th century Chandni Chowk marketplace – still one of the city’s most popular retail centres today, famous for its traditional jewellery and saris. The gorgeous Sunder Nursery and Lodi Garden provide calm, flower-filled oases for picnicking.
Set on the banks of the Yamuna River in Uttar Pradesh, Agra is a beautiful city famous for its incredible Taj Mahal building, one of the seven wonders of the world. Commissioned by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in the 15th century as a memorial to his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, this is an architectural masterpiece of exquisite craftsmanship and perfect proportions. The city boasts numerous other superb attractions, including the red-hued sandstone Agra Fort, built in the 16th century; the Shahi Jama Masjid mosque, a 17th-century congregational mosque located in the historic core of Agra, and Itmad-ud-Daulah’s tomb, with its white marble facade embellished with intricate inlaid designs, also called the' Baby Taj'.
The province of North Holland is located in the northwestern region of the Netherlands. Home to the activity-filled capital city of Amsterdam, as well as a number of other top-rated sights and attractions, this is understandably the most-visited area of the country. Begin in the UNESCO-listed Canal District in Amsterdam, and be sure to plan visits to the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank’s House, and Vondelpark. From there, culture enthusiasts will enjoy historic Alkmaar (with its Cheese Market), Haarlem (with its medieval city centre), and Enkhuizen (home to the Zuiderzee Museum). Outdoor enthusiasts will relish the North Holland Peninsula, where Bergen offers quiet shores and the resort of Den Helder provides ferry connections to Texel, the largest of the West Frisian Islands and a hive of activity in summer.
Fringed by the rugged Aravali Hills, Jaipur, nicknamed the ‘Pink City’ for its salmon-hued terracotta buildings, is the capital and largest city in the Rajasthan State. This metropolis combines tradition and modernity with its vibrant bazaars, lavish palaces, and ancient temples. Don’t miss the fairy-tale splendour of the Amber Fort, set against the backdrop of the arid landscape and hosting enthralling sound and light shows; the UNESCO-listed Jantar Mantar, a collection of 300-year-old astronomical tools which look like contemporary art; and the opulent City Palace, with its palatial structures, sprawling gardens, and atmospheric courtyards. Jaipur falls within the Golden Triangle, a popular tourist circuit, which includes Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra, and it also serves as a gateway to the neighbouring desert cities of Jaisalmer and Jodhpur.
Resting in a spectacular semi-arid desert landscape in the northwestern part of the Jhunjhunu district in Rajasthan, India, Alsisar is small village known for its beautiful traditional havelis adorned with extraordinarily detailed hand-painted frescoes. The village is also renowned for its exceptionally well-preserved 17th-century palace, the Alsisar Mahal, boasting some expansive courtyards, jaw-dropping frescoes, and numerous grand arcades. This impressive palace serves as the venue for the popular Magnetic Fields Music Festival, which celebrates the best of the international underground music scene and hosts an array of DJs and musicians from around the world. Other popular attractions in the area include the Satya Narayan ji ka temple, the Shri Rani Sati ji ka temple, and the Cenotaph of Thakur Chhotu Singh.
As previously described
Shimla, lying deep in the foothills of the Himalayas, is the capital city of Himachal Pradesh and the gateway into the more remote northern regions of Kashmir. It is also the stop-off for travellers venturing into the Kullu and Spiti Valleys. Resting at an altitude of 2159 metres, the city has a cool climate and beautiful views of river valleys, pine forests, apple orchards and steep mountains covered with maize terraces. The Mall, a long, winding pedestrian-only walkway, is the commercial and social hub of Shimla, while those looking for natural beauty should head uphill through the forest to Jakhu Temple or follow one of the many forest trails in the eastern part of Shimla. To the south of the city, the bazaars bustle with local flavour.
As previously described
