Into India
Splendid and showy, Delhi bustles and heaves. Its energy is part catch-me-if-you-can capital city, part bazaar of all bazaars, and part dignified heritage site – all set amid a dizzying desert wind.
WHAT TO SEE
Historical gems
The Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Qutub Minar and Humayun’s Tomb (www.incredibleindia.org) are all architectural jewels that testify to the city’s long history as a polyglot, cosmopolitan centre of empires. Connaught Place and Gandhi Darshan are among the more recent reminders of India’s colonial past and the struggle for independence.
WHERE TO SHOP
Bazaars and boutiques
Old Delhi is home to the city’s most famous bazaar, Chandi Chowk. Haggle for just about anything you can imagine, but especially textiles, jewellery and spices. Chanakyapuri’s upscale boutiques sell much the same kind of thing, but of better quality and at much higher prices. Connaught Place is where many of the high-profile international brand stores cluster. Dilli Haat is a village- style market offering regional crafts. Sunder Nagar Market specialises in handicrafts and antiques.
WHERE TO EAT
Flavours to savour
Dive into the full-flavoured Indian experience of one of Old Delhi’s countless dhabas, or open-air street restaurants. The elegant neighbourhoods of New Delhi – such as Connaught Place and Chanakyapuri – are dotted with restaurants that serve up flavours from across India as well as south-east Asia and Europe.
HOW TO GET THERE
KLM operates one direct daily flight to Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.
Tourist information www.incredibleindia.org
Content provided by Frommer’s Unlimited © 2010, Whatsonwhen Limited.
DON’T MISS
Star attraction
To correct existing astronomical tables and chart planetary positions, Sawai Jai Singh II built the first of the five Jantar Mantar stone observatories in Delhi in 1724. Several large masonry instruments track the movements of the sun, moon and planets. Sansad Marg
