| Do you get lured by lavishing tales of the maharajas, | | | | activities and laze out in the sun. Keep a whole day for |
| courageous episodes of the freedom-fighters, | | | | visiting Goa's most historical churches and cathedrals |
| enchanting shlokas of the Vedas, Puranas and | | | | carried forward from the colonial era. The ones listed |
| Upanishads, antique jewelleries intricately studded with | | | | as World Heritage Sites include Basilica of Bom Jesus, |
| shimmering stones and gems, and luscious potpourri of | | | | Church of St Francis of Assisi, Church of Our Lady of |
| the most heavenly cuisines on earth? If yes, India is | | | | Rosary, etc. Reputed international carriers such as Air |
| calling you! Pack your bags for the land of rich cultural | | | | India, Jet Airways, Kingfisher Airlines and Qatar provide |
| heritage, one of the most ancient in the world, popularly | | | | various flights to Goa. |
| called Bharata or Hindustan. Here are the top five | | | | 4. Amritsar |
| destinations you will love to explore in India: | | | | Amritsar in north India's state of Punjab, often referred |
| 1. Delhi | | | | to as "the land of five rivers" encompasses a fusion of |
| Ruined and rebuilt umpteenth number of times, this | | | | historical, patriotic and spiritual landmarks. During the |
| capital of India is the home to three World Heritage | | | | day, first visit the dazzling Golden Temple, the holiest |
| Sites namely Lal Quilla or Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb | | | | shrine of the Sikhs and then move to the shocking |
| and Qutub Minar. Other must visit sites in the | | | | Jalianwala Bagh which reminds of the atrocious attack |
| metropolis include Jama Masjid, Rashtrapati Bhavan, | | | | on mankind. From Golden Temple you can simply take |
| Rajghat and Jantar Mantar. Don't forget to witness the | | | | a three minutes walk to the Jalianwala Bagh lying just |
| light and sound show at Red Fort in the evenings. | | | | opposite to the Golden Temple. You can take home |
| Enjoy shopping at the local markets such as Chandni | | | | some of the best "Phulkari" embroidered stoles from |
| Chowk, Shankar Market and Sarojni Nagar or stroll | | | | the local markets of Amritsar. From Delhi you can |
| through the shopping centres of Connaught Place | | | | reach Amritsar by rail, road or simply take flights to |
| locally known as CP, South Ex or M Block. Try the | | | | Amritsar. |
| "alu-tikki chat", a delicious starter made of spicy | | | | 5. Kolkata |
| potatoes, at the South Ex. Finally complete your Delhi | | | | Once existing as the capital of India by the East India |
| trip by making a three hours car-drive to Agra and | | | | Company during the British rule, Kolkata is now the |
| view Taj Mahal, one of the true Seven Wonders of | | | | capital of West Bengal in the eastern part of India. One |
| the World. Flights to Delhi are available from all leading | | | | thing which you will notice in this city is its cheap cost |
| airports of the UK. | | | | of living. You can easily get connected from one part |
| 2. Mumbai | | | | of the city to the other by Metro Railway at Rs.10 |
| Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay is situated in the | | | | which means 15 pence only and enjoy a lavishing meal |
| western part of India and is the most happening city in | | | | at Rs.300 which means £ 4.6 only. The city's |
| the country. This capital of the state of Maharashtra | | | | attractions are Birla Planetarium, Victoria Memorial Hall, |
| houses the glamorous Indian Film Industry addressed | | | | Alipore Zoo and Nicco Park. The South City Mall and |
| as "Bollywood" and the InOrbit, one of Asia's biggest | | | | the Forum Mall offer good international brands while |
| malls. Besides, the effervescent conurbation also owns | | | | local shopping can be done in the all time favourite |
| one of the busiest stock markets of the world. | | | | New Market. Look for "tant", Bengal's local handloom. |
| Blessed with beautiful beaches, Mumbai is a paradise | | | | Give yourself a sweet treat by trying Kolkata's |
| for those who love the surf. Juhu, Chowpatty and | | | | "sandesh", "mishti doi" and "rosogollas". Flights to |
| Aksa are some of the shores which will make you | | | | Kolkata take off and land at Netaji Subhash Chandra |
| crazy. Book a car and visit the nearby wonders such | | | | Bose International Airport. |
| as the Ajanta, Ellora and Elephanta Caves, all of which | | | | India is a land of great cultural heritage. From the ethnic |
| are World Heritage Sites declared by UNESCO. | | | | past to the booming present, this multicultural and |
| Heathrow, Manchester, Newcastle, Gatwick, | | | | multilingual nation presents a veritably interesting picture. |
| Birmingham, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh offer | | | | Different states each representing its own unique |
| flights to Mumbai. | | | | ethnicity, jointly form one country, India. Studded with |
| 3. Goa | | | | the beautiful cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, Amritsar and |
| 579 KM towards the west of Mumbai rests the | | | | Kolkata, the top five destinations in the country, India |
| tropical paradise of Goa. The golden beaches with the | | | | continues to be ranked amongst the most hospitable |
| turquoise Arabian Sea are from resisting yourself. | | | | countries in the world. |
| Participate in the beguiling water sports and beach | | | | |