Delhi
Delhi is a city where time travel is feasible. Step aboard your time machine (the sleek and efficient metro) and you can go from Old Delhi, where labourers haul sacks of spices and jewellers weigh gold on dusty scales, to modern New Delhi, with its colonial-era parliament buildings and penchant for high tea. Then on to the future: Gurgaon, a satellite city of skyscraping offices and glitzy malls. This pulsating metropolis has a bigger population than Australia, and is one of the world's most polluted cities. But woven into its rich fabric are moments of pure beauty: an elderly man threading temple marigolds; Sufi devotional songs; a boy flying a kite from a rooftop. So don’t be put off. Delhi is a city that has been repeatedly ravaged and reborn, with vestiges of lost empires in almost every neighbourhood. There's so much to experience here, it's like a country in itself.
Agra
This is an area of Uttar Pradesh that roughly 1,400,000 people reside in. This destination lies 110 miles southeast of the national capital of New Delhi. It's also approximately 30 miles east of Bharatpur. Taj Mahal is a world-famous attraction. Patna Bird Sanctuary and Sur Sarovar Bird Sanctuary are fun-filled and engaging attractions, offering hours worth of entertainment for the entire family. Take five from the stress of traveling at one of the alluring parks and gardens. Flip through a magazine or just watch the birds bicker in the trees at the Ram Bagh and the Mehtab Bagh. Motilal Nehru Park is also enjoyed by the locals. Skim some stones along the calm water, discover the local birdlife and have a bite to eat at Keetham Lake. Haveli Nadine Prince is a popular place where the curious go to challenge themselves. Take in the quiet atmosphere, ask the staff about guided tours and pick up a souvenir at the gift shop on your way out. Fascinating displays and objects await art aficionados at the Agra Art Gallery. The Fatehpur Sikri and the Tomb of Mariam Zamani are certainly worth looking into, even if you're not a passionate history buff. More stories from a bygone era await at the Jahangir Mahal and Shah Burj. Those interested in military history should enjoy touring Agra Fort and Panch Mahal - Agra, two examples of the region's fortifications and defenses. You can also examine the unique design of Musamman Burj and Moti Masjid. The spiritual side of the area is on display at the Jama Masjid and the Soami Bagh Temple. You may also like to go for a stroll around the Mankameshwar Temple and the Mosque and the Jawab. Immerse yourself in the colorful sights and sounds of Anguri Bagh, a bustling public square. One of the most photographed local landmarks, Chhatri of Raja Jaswant Singh is an essential stop. To learn more about the history of this community, allow some time to visit some of its quiet monuments and memorial plaques, such as Sikandra and Chini ka Rauza. If you'd like to continue your journey down memory lane, you should also have a look at Tomb of Akbar the Great and Itmad-ud-Daulah's Tomb. Sadar Bazar and Kinari Bazar are the places to go to stock up on essentials or indulge in some luxury purchases.
Udaipur
Often referred to as the 'Venice of the East', the city of lakes Udaipur is located around azure water lakes and is hemmed in by lush green hills of Aravallis. The famous Lake Palace, located in the middle of Lake Pichola is one of the most beautiful sights of Udaipur. It is also home to Jaisamand Lake, claimed to be the second largest man-made sweet water lake in Asia. The beautiful City Palace and Sajjangarh (Monsoon Palace) add to the architectural beauty and grandeur of the city. The city is also known for its profusion of zinc and marble. Solar observatory in Lake Fateh Sagar is the only observatory in India located on an island and has been made on the pattern of Big Bear Lake in Southern California. The ten-day Shilpgram Festival which starts from 21 Dec to 30 Dec pulls in a large number of people interested in arts and crafts. Udaipur was founded in 1553 by Maharana Udai Singh II as the new capital of Mewar Kingdom. It is located in the fertile, circular Girwa Valley to the southwest of Nagda, which was the first capital of Mewar.
