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     India

The magnificent palaces and forts, sand dunes and exotic fairs of Rajasthan, the sandy beaches of Goa, the temples and gardens of South India, and the wonders of the Himalayas, all form the beautiful tapestry that is India.  A magical land of high mountains, deep seas, golden deserts and splendid plains, India’s natural beauty is uniquely blended with the country’s deep-rooted heritage and culture, making India a destination that is pleasing to the eyes and soul.

Built to epitomize the spirit of British sovereignty, New Delhi is a lavish blend of malls and colonial mansions, tree-lined avenues and taciturn government offices. The centerpiece of India’s carefully planned capital is Connaught Place, a vibrant circle of bars and banks, restaurants and renowned shopping. Stroll down the beautiful Raj Path and enjoy its quaint gardens and ornamental ponds before following the path to India Gate, New Delhi’s commanding war memorial.

India’s answer to Hollywood, Mumbai (formerly known as Bombay) and more affectionately as “Bollywood” is the heart of Hindi cinema, the largest film industry in the world, and has all the kitschy glamour of its western rival. Escape the humidity and mingle with locals in a gigantic air-conditioned cinema, while watching star-crossed lovers battle gun-wielding thugs before breaking into song. For glamorous settings off the screen, view ornate gothic architecture and enjoy a cool cocktail at the stunning Taj Mahal Palace & Tower. (This is only one of many Taj Hotels, a selection of former palaces and stately homes that have been painstakingly refurbished to provide extraordinary accommodation alternatives across India.)

Discover the timelessness of love in Agra, home of the Taj Mahal. Considered to be the world’s greatest monument to love, the Taj Mahal was built by the inconsolable Emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his second wife who died in childbirth. The Taj Mahal is most alluring in the early morning where the play of light bathes the complex with a soft, red glow. Why not stay at the Oberoi Amarvilas, a truly outstanding hotel that boasts uninterrupted views of the Taj Mahal. (The Oberoi family are world renowned for their Vilas concept; an extensive collection of luxury properties that have been purpose built with unique Indian styling to ensure a plush but authentic stay.)

Traditionally the color of hospitality, Jaipur is known as ‘the pink city,’for the color of its older buildings. The city’s hue is brilliantly displayed in the Hawa Mahal, or “Palace of Winds,” which radiates an orangey-pink glow in the rising sun. Exquisitely carved gates divide the city into neat rectangles, making sightseeing surprisingly easy.

Dubbed the ‘Venice of the East,’Udaipur is built around the picturesque Lake Pichola. The city’s labyrinth of temples and havelis (ornate houses) invites hours of quiet contemplation. The two islands in the lake command attention with their lotus-lined waters and floating palaces, one of which was formerly the royal summer palace and is now a Taj Hotel.

A prime example of India’s conservation efforts, Ranthambhore National Park covers 820 miles and is home to jackals, panthers, abundant birdlife, and the world-renowned “friendly tigers”. Watch as a tiger languidly stretches in the midday sun unperturbed by visitors, or sit back and take in the wild beauty of verdant bush as it creeps towards dense forest on a jeep safari. For a slower pace, visit the park’s creeper-covered tenth-century fort and make an offering to Ganesh, the elephant-headed god of good fortune.

When you first set eyes on Goa’s palm-fringed beaches and mesmeric sunsets, you are likely to think that you are on a South Pacific island rather than in a city that was once the linchpin for the Portugese spice route. Separated from the rest of India by a wall of mountains, Goa’s laid-back atmosphere and tropical charm is worlds away from the rest of the country. Gleaming white-washed churches sit alongside lush rice paddy fields, while crumbling forts look across the expansive Arabian Sea. Join in a local tradition by enjoying an afternoon siesta, or shop for interesting knickknacks at the famous Anjuna flea market before dancing the night away under a fluorescent-painted palm tree.
 

Once known as the ‘Money Isles’for its plentiful supply of cowrie shells, an international currency in the early ages, this namesake still suits the modern Maldives. Luxurious resorts such as the Taj Exotica Resort & Spa and Hilton Resort & Spa Rangali Island sparkle on the 70 plus islands that form the Maldives — each one boasting blue seas and swaying palm trees. Snorkel the sapphire lagoons and see why the Maldivian economy is dominated by fishing, or shop at the Singapore Bazaar in Male and immerse yourself in a maze of teahouses and stores selling local handicraft. For a little culture mixed in with all that fun in the sun, visit a local fishing village, or stroll through the National Museum.