Highlighting Incredible India: From Darjeeling to the Taj MahalI’m back from my second excursion to India and just had to share some of the moments that made this trip such a special experience.
For 2016, I chose to start off in a remote part of the sub-continent to carry on the Delectable Destinations tradition of getting off the beaten path.
For this, my clients and I spent a week at the Glenburn Tea Estates, a traditional plantation nestled into the Himalayas.
From the very first glimpse I caught from the plane, it was magical. You could really feel the Tibetan influence as you walked through the towns below the plantation- I kept wondering how this was in the same “country” as New Dehli and Agra! Darjeeling is known for producing some of the finest teas in the world, and even though I’m not a tea-drinker, learning how tea is produced made me eager to taste this champagne of teas. I will go into that in more detail in my next post!
At night, as we relaxed in our quiet, tech-free rooms, we looked out over the hills to see a landscape dotted with the tiny lights of the tea-pickers’ homes, and it was hard to tell where land ended and starry sky began.
Coming back to the Golden Triangle of Dehli, Jaipur, and Agra after being in peaceful Darjeeling was definitely a shock! Even so, I was excited to revisit some of my favourite places, like Old Dehli’s Chandni Chowk- it was just as incredible the second time around. In a place like that, you can never see it all.
I was also as impressed with Jaipur on my second visit. The city has a great feel to it, lots of energy and lots to see. It is also one of India’s greatest shopping destinations, so that doesn’t hurt!
Agra, perhaps not my favourite place I’ve visited, is a must-see on the Golden Triangle tour for one major reason- it’s where you’ll see the glorious Taj Mahal. First timers to India can’t miss this wonder of the world especially if they can see it at sunrise, which is when I choose to visit. The photo opportunities can’t be beat.
There is no doubt that I will be heading back to India with another group as soon as I can. There really is so much to do there and so many places to explore- Mumbai, Calcutta, Goa- all these places are on my mind for future Delectable Destinations.
Check back next week for another Delectable Destinations adventure!
Carol Ketelson is the owner and operator of Delectable Destinations LLC. Dedicated to planning, co-ordinating and curating customized group tours to hand-picked destinations. As an experienced travel planner, Carol’s customized itineraries, specialized tours and off-the-beaten-path experiences create memorable journeys for her small groups of singles, couples, divorced, widowed and solo travelers seeking exceptional trips into the culture and cuisine of destinations around the world. Spring and Fall bookings invite travelers to taste delectable local cuisine, culturally rich traditions and mesmerizing sights. For over 10 years, Carol’s tours have captured the true essence of Tuscany, the Amalfi Coast, Puglia, Spain, Ireland and India.
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