Tuesday, August 7, 2012

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What to do in Delhi in 3 days




Delhi, situated in Northern India, is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city. It is a city of extremes - beautiful, yet sometimes heartbreaking; hectic and confounding, with its busy crush of people and traffic, yet fascinating and captivating. It is a melting pot for culture, where the fascinating sights of the old meet the splendour of the new.

While you can get fabulously lost for weeks in this magnetic city and its surroundings, you can definitely see and experience a lot of Delhi’s treasures in just 3 days. If you are lucky enough to find cheap airfares to Delhi, then now is the time to start planning for what will be an experience you’ll never forget.

Day 1: Immerse yourself in Indian culture

The best place to start is by heading right to the heart of Old Delhi, with a visit to the 3000 year old market, Chandni Chowk. Join the crowd at one of the busiest and liveliest shopping areas in Delhi and explore the maze of narrow lanes - shop and bargain with the locals, venture out to the spice markets, soak up the smells, tastes and vibrant colours, and experience and enjoy the ‘real’ Delhi.
From Chandni Chowk, head to Jama Masjid - the largest mosque in India. Climb the small staircase to the top of one of the minarets for a birds-eye view over the mosque and the sprawling walled city of Old Delhi.
After leaving Jama Masjid, walk or take a rickshaw to the Red Fort, a 17th century fort complex originally constructed as a palace for one of the great Mughal emperors, Shah Jahan. Explore the many different buildings, balconies, marble mosques and gardens.

Day 2: Discover the history and explore New Delhi

Compared to Old Delhi, New Delhi is another world, with modern architecture, smooth roads and sky scrapers. New Delhi is also home to several historic sites and museums. Head to the India Gate, which commemorates India's war dead and houses an eternal flame. From here, walk to the parliament buildings, before continuing on to visit the palaces, temples and gardens. Stop regularly to take in and enjoy this modern and bustling city.
Head to Dilli Haat, an open-air food and craft bazaar, and shop for silk scarves, linen, and many other souvenirs. Be sure to try the variety of delicious foods on offer - masala chicken, dals, spicy lamb, and Goan prawn curry.
At night, enjoy a cocktail at one of Delhi’s upmarket cafes or bars, and take time out to see a Bollywood film - marvel in the colours and the costumes of the beautiful actresses.

Day 3: Take a day trip from Delhi

No trip to Delhi is complete without heading to the Taj Mahal at Agra (about 4 hours from Delhi). Renowned for its beauty and impressive architecture, the Taj Mahal is also a symbol of love, built by Shah Jehan in memory of his third wife, Queen Mumtaz Mahal.
Seeing the Taj Mahal for the first time is simply breathtaking. If possible, schedule your trip for sunrise or sunset, or come back to see it under the moonlight - truly spectacular.
Though your 3 day whirlwind trip will quickly fly by, you’ll soon be trying to arrange your next trip back to this mesmerising city.
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About the author: Lea Phillips+ is a photographer and writer - whose passion is travel. Lea has spent the past 6 years travelling extensively and is motivated by her sense of adventure and love of the unknown.

1 comment:

  1. One more thing, indulge yourself into Delhi food. It is awesome.

    ReplyDelete

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