Curator’s statement
I traveled to India for a wedding and spent a couple of days in New Dehli. The city offers a variety of experiences, from its rich culture and history to the stunning architecture. Check out the food and historical landmarks. Visit the spas and meditation retreats or venture to wildlife sanctuaries nearby. Here are a couple of my highlights and recommendations from my trip.
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Where to stay in New Delhi, India
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Things to do in New Delhi, India
Visit Old Delhi: Old Delhi has a massive market full of food, jewelry and clothes. Navigating the market is pretty overwhelming and I’d recommend going with a tour guide. My guide, Ravinder Bahal, truly enhanced our journey. Guiding us in and out of stores while also giving us insights into the city's rich history and culture. Ravi and his tour group taught my whole group about the city and we rode around the city in pedi cabs. Ravi and his group's expertise led us to hidden gems. We were looking for some jewelry and outfits for the wedding, which he helped us find. I was also able to find some cute silk scarves, custom bags and art work to bring back with me.
Jama Masjid mosque: Located right outside of old Delhi and all of the markets (picture featured above). Made of red sandstone and white marble, this mosque is a beautiful sight to see.
Humayuns Tomb: Red sandstone Tomb from the 16th century, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. First garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent.
Lotus Temple: Check out this architectural wonder that is built as a lotus and symbolizes unity and peace. The lotus is significant to Sinai as it is the national flower and an important symbol. The temple is part of the Bahaism sect and is open to all religions.
Imperial Spa at The Imperial: This one of the best spas in all of New Delhi. Getting a massage after 20+ hours of flying felt like heaven. Post-treatment, unwind further in the inviting hot baths or relax in a sauna (spa featured in the photo above).
Lodhi Colony Street Art: Immerse yourself in India's first public art district, full of unique murals and displays.
Day Trips
Taj Mahal: Definitely worth the visit. The building is so surreal looking that you feel like you’re looking at a green screen. The white marble glows against the sky and left me in awe. I used the same tour guide that took me around the markets in New Dehli (about 3 and a half hour drive). After seeing the Taj Mahal, we stopped by a marble shop to see how the Taj Mahal was built piece by piece. The shop had custom pieces like vases, cups, chess boards, tiles and trays. If you’re looking to take a day trip to the Taj Mahal from New Delhi, please contact me and I can set you up with a tour guide. The tour guide group will set up transportation and will educate you not only on the beautiful wonders of the world, but on New Dehli and India as well.
Jaipur: Known as the “pink city,” you might of seen some of the colorful buildings and palaces when researching your India trip. If you are interested in seeing both the Taj Mahal and Jaipur, there are two or three day trips where you can do this. (Explore the Pink City: Only a 1-hour flight or 4-hour drive from New Delhi).
Weekend Trips From New Delhi
Jaisalmer: Explore the Indian desert, adorned with palaces and ancient temples. From the grandeur of Jaisalmer Fort Palace Museum to the serenity of Bada Bagh Temple, immerse yourself in history (two hour flight from New Dehli).
Rishikesh: Retreat to the yoga capital of India, a haven of spirituality next to a sacred river. Embrace tranquility through meditation and rejuvenation (4 hour drive or hour flight from New Delhi).
Udaipur: Here you can visit palaces or temples such as the city palace, Jagdish temple to Karni Mata Temple, Chittogarh Fort (1 hour flight from New Delhi).
Ranthambore National Park: Encounter the majestic tigers of India in their natural habitat. Located in the heart of Rajasthan, you can immerse yourself in the wildness by driving through the park on a tour. Stay at Anuraga Palace for a night, a beautiful resort right on the road to the national park (only 5 hours from New Dehli or an hour flight).
Places to eat & drink in New Delhi, India
The Spice Route: Everything on the menu is exquisite and you won’t be able to keep your eyes off the mesmerizing art covering the walls.
Bukhara: Indulge in the rich flavors of Indian cuisine. Visited by many famous people such as Bill Clinton, the restaurant is located right in the ITC Maurya Hotel. You won’t go wrong with anything on the menu. Try the Tandoori Aloo and the Kastoori Kebab.
Elan: Seasonal dish based menu. The restaurants work closely with local farmers. From small plates to sushi to delectable dim sum, you will have plenty of options to pick from.
Indian Accent: A top-rated culinary experience, acclaimed as one of Asia's finest. Advance reservations are a must.
Miso Sexy: Rooftop restaurant and bar with a view of the Qutub.
Juniper Bar: Unwind at this chic gin bar boasting over 40 in-house creations. A minimalist oasis located in Andaz, Delhi.
Townhall: Pan asian food located in a 1950s style building in the Khan market area of Delhi. Afterward, walk around and grab a at KLAP.
Travel Advisor
Samantha Vanderhorst
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Looking for more travel inspiration? Check out my guide, Things To Do in Dubai. This guide is part of our ongoing series on travel to New Delhi.