A couple of months ago I had the great pleasure of finally visiting India for the first time with luxury tour operator Abercrombie & Kent. I’ve only just started the process of writing about my experiences, but today I thought I’d pause and add another post to my ongoing “42” series highlighting special destinations around the world.
- Ease into Mumbai with the luxury service provided by the Taj Mahal Palace Mumbai.
- Embracing the local culture by joining in on a festival.
- Wander around Jaipur, enjoying snacks along the way.
- Waking up early for a special dawn tour of Mumbai.
- Learning more about the Mughal Empire than you ever thought possible.
- Starting every day with a fresh lassi.
- Check out opportunities to do some local volunteer work.
- Visit some incredible UNESCO World Heritage Sites all around the country.
- Discovering that getting an e-visa is fast and easy.
- Relax after a long day of sightseeing at the Oberoi Udaivillas.
- Seeing the mighty Taj Mahal both at sunset and sunrise.
- Discovering what your horoscope has in store for you at the Jantar Mantar in Jaipur.
- Spend the day wandering the massive Amer Fort.
- Embrace the colorful chaos of a local market.
- Admiring curiously placed Victorian architecture in Mumbai.
- Pretending to understand cricket.
- Enjoying the incredible service that only Abercrombie & Kent can provide.
- Spending time talking with people who live in the regions you’re visiting, learning about their lives.
- Doing nothing more than wandering the markets at day break.
- Feeling like a Maharaja staying at the Taj Rambagh Palace.
- Pinching yourself that you’re actually in incredible India!
- Not being scared of the food – try it, but be smart about what you enjoy.
- Knowing you can only see a little sliver of India on a first visit.
- Wander through Udaipur’s massive City Palace.
- Not minding the crowds at the always amazing Taj Mahal.
- Tour Mumbai’s impressive museums and historic sights.
- Discovering Delhi’s surprising ancient past.
- Getting somewhat used to the sound of a million car horns.
- Being constantly dazzled by the colors and sounds of the country.
- Admiring the Taj Mahal from a balcony at the Oberoi Amarillas.
- Embracing spiritual moments as they come.
- Basking in luxury at the Leela Palace in Delhi.
- Be dazzled by Jaipur’s old city.
- Taking a few moments to be pampered.
- Enjoy high tea and sunset on a boat cruise in Udaipur.
- Having your palm read and future told by an expert.
- Being welcomed in royal style wherever you go.
- Learning more about local food on a food tour of Old Delhi.
- Knowing that you shouldn’t have been so scared to visit in the first place.
- Special moments that can never be planned, only enjoyed.
- Appreciating small kindnesses extended by strangers almost every day.
- Vow to return again and again.
43. Realising that the Indian food you eat at home bears little to no resemblance to the food you get in India. And being forever disappointed when you get home..