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What to see in Sri Lanka

The only capital city in the Maldives despite the number of islands that the country comprises. This is a small town, with all the charming houses contained in a very small space. The most striking building is the Friday Mosque, however the most enjoyable has to be a trip to the market, an essential trip to stock up on local produce and soak up the atmosphere.

Malé

Known for over 2000 years, the Portuguese baptised the capital of Sri Lanka with this name. Today it is a vibrant Asian city with a mixture of modern and historic buildings and even important ancient ruins. Don't miss a trip to Cargills &amp; Millers, a Victorian department store which has now been declared a historical monument, or the Jami Ul Afar Mosque, with its minaret facing the port.

A historic town full of characterful buildings, including the Dalada Maligawa &ldquo;temple of the tooth&rdquo;, which is home to Buddha's tooth. The sacred relic is paraded on an elephants back once a year during the Essala Perahera festival. It is a pleasure to stroll by the artificial lake in the city centre, explore the Victoria gardens or to browse the market headed up by a miniature of Big Ben.

Negombo is a small beach town located very near to Colombo, the capital, and the town's main attractions are focused on the coastal beaches and historic centre. It was conquered by the Portuguese, Germans and English, and these countries have left a rich cultural legacy in its streets. Don&rsquo;t miss the fish market, the Dutch canal that cuts through the city, its fort or main church.

Located in the most central and mountainous part of the island, you can find a truly British style town. The exclusive Hill Club and the post office are examples of the British architecture. The famous Ceylon tea is cultivated in this area.

The fortress of a despot king who feared his enemies so much, that he built this palace on the top of an enormous rock which was said to be impenetrable. On the ascent you can see the frescos of the Ladies of Sirigiya, painted with finery in the 5th century. The gateway is built in the form of an enormous lion.

Pearls of the Indian Ocean

Visit the golden temple, a complex of 80 caves, which have been transformed into temples; many of them contain paintings and statues. There are a total of 153 statues of Buddha, 3 of Sri Lankan kings and 4 of Hindu Gods and Goddesses.

Temples, Treasures & Spiritual Retreats

On the banks of the Yamuna River lies Agra, adored by all who visit and occupying a place in the hearts of all romantics. Of course, the Taj Mahal is what draws most travelers to make a trip to Agra, but there are a plethora of notable sights to explore in the city aside from the iconic mausoleum. Situated in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, Agra is a wonderland of Mughal-era architecture, combined with the typical colorful chaos of such a sizeable Indian city. Between 1526 and 1658, Agra was the capital of the Mughal Empire and many of the city&rsquo;s buildings are monuments from this era are now designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Marathas took over the city after the Mughals, followed by the British Raj, and if you travel to Agra you&rsquo;ll be able to trace this fascinating timeline through the city&rsquo;s diverse and awe-inspiring buildings and monuments.
Agra is easily reached from Delhi, around 200 kilometers away, and is one of the three &lsquo;Golden Triangle&rsquo; cities, making it an unmissable destination if you take a tour of India. The magical facades, historic ambiance and legendary legacy of Agra are sure to transport you back in time to the captivating Golden Age of the Mughals.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<h2>What to see in Agra</h2>
Although many tours of Agra focus on a few select highlights, there are more than enough things to do in Agra to consider spending an extended stay in this former Mughal capital. We recommend starting with the prominent UNESCO World Heritage Sites and then continuing to the lesser-known sights. Of course, the Taj Mahal is a bucket-list favorite and its white marble mausoleum is a universal symbol of love that has transcended across the centuries. Built-in the 17th-century by Emperor Shah Jahan, in memory of his favorite wife, it is without a doubt one of the most beautiful tombs in the world. You&rsquo;ve probably seen hundreds of photos of the glistening monument, but nothing compares to visiting the Taj Mahal in person. Expect large crowds, or alternatively, visit very early in the day for a more peaceful experience.
Visiting the Agra Fort is another of the top things to do in Agra. Once the main residence of the Mughal Emperors, Agra Fort exudes stately elegance and power. More like a walled-city than a fortress, once inside the 70-foot high walls you&rsquo;ll find idyllic courtyards, complete with scalloped arches, as well as the huge sandstone structure of the Jehangir&rsquo;s Palace and the beautiful Khas Mahal Pavillion, among other impressive buildings. A tour of the Agra Fort is incomplete without contemplating the spectacular mirrored halls of the Shish Mahal, known as the &lsquo;Glass Palace&rsquo;.
If you&rsquo;re trying to avoid the crowds or you&rsquo;re an avid photographer, the Mahtab Bagh Botanical Gardens is one of the best places to visit in Agra. Savvy travelers know that the gardens of Mehtab Bagh are the ultimate destination for uninterrupted views of the Taj Mahal, thanks to their location on the banks of the Yamuna River. The manicured square-shaped gardens are in perfect alignment with the white marble mausoleum across the water and the gardens buzz with an atmosphere of excitement at sunset owing to the spectacular views. A slice of nature amidst the bustling streets of Agra, be sure to pack your camera if you visit Mehtab Bagh Botanical Gardens.
Just 40 kilometers from the city is Agra&rsquo;s third UNESCO World Heritage Site: the ancient city of Fatehpur Sikri. Before Agra, Fatehpur Sikri held the title of capital of the Mughal Empire until it was completely abandoned at the turn of the 17th-century. A masterpiece of Indo-Islamic architecture, this red sandstone city is a popular and worthwhile stop on a tour of Agra.

Agra

A cacophony of colors, sounds, and aromas, Delhi is an assault on the senses. The gateway to the delights of India, this capital city, on the banks of the Yamuna River, is simply unforgettable and is sure to leave an impression on even the most intrepid traveler. A rich tapestry of history and culture can be found beneath the chaotic exterior of Delhi&rsquo;s city life, whether amongst the Mughal relics of Old Delhi or the imperial grandeur of New Delhi.
Travel to Delhi to experience the stereotypical image of India: the overwhelming honking of car and scooter horns, the human and animal traffic, the steaming street food stalls, the street beggars and the busy shoppers. Despite the intensity of the city, it&rsquo;s easy to fall in love with the so-called land of a thousand colors during a trip to Delhi. Inhabited since the 6th-century BC, Delhi&rsquo;s architecture tells the story of the rise and fall of kingdoms and empires in its monuments, mosques, temples, museums, and palaces. In fact, there are at least eight historic cities of Delhi, all of which were built upon the ruins of their predecessor, leaving behind countless relics for visitors to discover on a tour of Delhi today.
A multi-faceted city in more ways that one, you&rsquo;ll see enormous wealth juxtaposed by incredible poverty and modern architecture side-by-side with ancient temples if you visit Delhi. For labyrinthine markets and mouthwatering street-eats, it&rsquo;s the best destination in India. Whether you&rsquo;re in amongst the frantic streets of Old Delhi or enjoying the wide avenues and leafy green spaces of New Delhi, you&rsquo;ll get the best out of a trip to Delhi if you simply go with the flow and savor the experience!
&nbsp;
<h2>What to see in Delhi</h2>
With an urban core of more than 700 square kilometers, there&rsquo;s plenty of things to see in Delhi and equally as much ground to cover. The metro system will whisk you between the city&rsquo;s sights, but of course, you&rsquo;ll be missing out on the intricate, intoxicating street life scene above ground by bypassing the traffic-laden roads.
A diverse city, all religions are represented in Delhi&rsquo;s temples, mosques, and churches, some of which have secured themselves at the top of the lists of things to see in Delhi. Akshardham Temple is a great place to start. Despite being inaugurated in 2005, this center of Hindu culture possesses all the charms of more traditional temples and is adorned with intricately carved pillars, domes and even, life-sized elephant sculptures. Constructed by more than 1000 talented artisans, this ornate display of spiritual architecture is home to a number of forward-thinking exhibits, aiming to make Hinduism accessible to all audiences.
Another of Delhi&rsquo;s modern religious buildings is the Lotus Temple, an icon of the city&rsquo;s skyline. A Baha&rsquo;i house of worship, its minimalist lotus flower design, composed of 27 free-standing marble-clad petals, is simply spectacular. Open to all visitors, this unique place of worship is one of the world&rsquo;s most visited and a must-see on a tour of Delhi. One of the older religious monuments in Delhi is the Jama Masjid Mosque, dating back to the 17th-century when it was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, the same emperor that built the prestigious Taj Mahal. Jama Masjid Mosque can accommodate an impressive 25,000 worshippers and is crowned by two 40-meter-high minarets and three domes. Finally, Delhi&rsquo;s Lal Mandir Jain Temple, the oldest Jain temple in the city, is conveniently located opposite the Red Fort and shares the same vibrant color as the fort in its facade. The temple complex contains a number of shrines as well as a bird hospital, as the care of animals is an important aspect of Jain beliefs.&nbsp;
From the spiritual to the historical, there&rsquo;s a handful of historic monuments that simply cannot be missed on a tour of Delhi. The Red Fort, once the main residence of the Mughal Emperors, is one of the city&rsquo;s most popular sights. The bright-red hues of the fort&rsquo;s exterior make it instantly recognizable and incredibly photogenic. Every year on August 15th, the tricolor flag is raised above the Red Fort&rsquo;s Lahori Gate to commemorate Indian independence in 1947. Inside this UNESCO World Heritage Site, you&rsquo;ll find elegant Mughal architecture and marble latticework, whilst those who visit the Red Fort in the evening will be treated to a fascinating sound and light show describing Mughal history.
Another of Delhi&rsquo;s most visited sights is the historic Humayun&rsquo;s Tomb, the final resting place of the Mughal Emperor Humayun, built by his widow in the 16th-century. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Humayun&rsquo;s Tomb is said to be the first example of Mughal architecture in India and is thought to have later inspired the design of the Taj Mahal. Be sure to stroll through the surrounding gardens, which were slowly filled with the graves of Humayun&rsquo;s descendants over the centuries. Finally, a monument in honor of a hero of modern times, the Raj Ghat, dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi, is one of the most important things to see in Delhi. Consisting of a sleek black marble platform, marking the location of Gandhi&rsquo;s cremation on the banks of the Yamuna River, a flame burns here constantly in his memory.
If you&rsquo;d rather experience the life of everyday Delhiites after exploring the monuments and palaces of the greats, you can&rsquo;t miss out on visiting Khari Baoli Spice Bazaar. Asia&rsquo;s largest wholesale spice market, it was first established in the 17th-century. Expect intoxicating aromas and bargaining locals amidst a sea of rainbow-colored spices, herbs, and dried fruits. Situated in the busy shopping district of Chandni Chowk, this is unfiltered India at it&rsquo;s finest. Be sure to pick up some exotic spices before retreating to the market&rsquo;s hidden rooftop platform, a little-known tip for those wishing to snap panoramic photos and watch the hustle and bustle from a tranquil vantage point!

Delhi

One of the three famous Golden Triangle cities, Jaipur is the magical capital of Rajasthan, known for the pink stone hues of its facades and for its show-stopping Hawa Mahal Palace, commonly known as the Palace of the Winds. Bursting with historic buildings, flamboyant bazaars, temples, palaces and museums, Jaipur is a highlight of any Golden Triangle tour.&nbsp;
Founded in 1727, by Rajput ruler Jai Singh II, the city became the capital of Jaipur state during the era of British rule and, after independence, the capital of the newly-formed state of Rajasthan. Since 2019 the entire &lsquo;pink city&rsquo; of Jaipur has been a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, including its major sights such as the Amber Fort.
Jaipur&rsquo;s bustling streets, laden with rickshaws and camels, evokes an old-world charm, whilst its monumental buildings tell the tales of the golden years of the Maharaja. A trip to Jaipur is a stepping stone into the vast interior of Rajasthan and is sure to carve out a place in your heart with its Rajput and Mughal architecture and hospitable locals.
&nbsp;
<h2>Things to see in Jaipur</h2>
Jaipur is a sightseeing hotspot in India and for good reason as there are a plethora of things to see in Jaipur, ranging from majestic palaces to atmospheric bazaars. At the top of all travelers&rsquo; lists is the historic Amber Fort, located just 12-kilometers from the city of Jaipur. Once the residence of Rajput Maharajas, the Amber Fort was built on the remains of an older fort in 1592. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the extensive Amber Fort is home to a collection of courtyards, gardens, halls, and palaces. The Hall of Mirrors is the most famous part of the fort and a sight that cannot be missed if you visit the Amber Fort.&nbsp;
Second on the list of all who travel to Jaipur is the Hawa Mahal or Palace of the Winds, the Instagram-worthy icon of Jaipur. With an eye-catching honey-combe-shaped facade, built in a classic Rajput style in hues of orange and pink, the Hawa Mahal is the postcard image of Jaipur. Built to house the ladies of the royal household, 953 small windows, which adorn the unique facade, were designed to keep the palace cool during the scorching summer months.
Continuing with the journey through Rajput architecture, the Jal Mahal Palace is one of the most beautiful things to see in Jaipur. Surrounded by the tranquil waters of Man Sagar Lake in Jaipur city, this bright yellow palace is an excellent example of traditional Rajput architecture. Set against the backdrop of the Rahatgarh Hills, the Jal Mahal Palace is five-stories high, although only one floor is visible when the lake is full. If you travel to Jaipur and have the chance the visit Jal Mahal after dark, don&rsquo;t miss out on the opportunity as the palace facade is illuminated at nightfall.&nbsp;
Another of Jaipur&rsquo;s UNESCO World Heritage Sites is the fascinating Jantar Mantar Observatory, a collection of 19 architectural astronomical instruments, dating from the 18th-century. Amazingly, these intricate instruments allow for the observation of astronomical positions with the naked eye and offer a fascinating insight into early astronomical technology in India.&nbsp;
After discovering the magnificent monuments and palaces of the pink city, a trip to Jaipur is incomplete without exploring the city&rsquo;s labyrinthine bazaars. The most famous bazaar in Jaipur is Johari Bazaar, famous for its gold, silver and gemstone jewelry and beautifully embellished textiles. For a taste of Rajasthani street food head to Masala Chowk, a popular food market where you can sample a wide array of mouth-watering delicacies in a pleasant open-air setting.&nbsp;

Jaipur

Golden Triangle & Magical Indian Ocean

Golden Triangle & Indian Ocean Pearl

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