Discovering new countries and cultures is a perfect way to live unique and unforgettable experiences. It goes without saying that this is my greatest passion. I have recently visited India and whenever I think about all the things I experienced there, I feel a wide range of emotions.
After I came back from India, a lot of people asked me if I liked this country and my answer was simple. India is both fascinating and shocking, but overall my trip there was a great experience. When you say India, you say fabulous tourist attractions, but also poverty and fraud.
Considered the seventh largest country in the world, India is home to more than a billion people. It is also a country defined by contrasts such as beauty and ugliness, wealth and poverty. I must confess that I discovered a dirty, chaotic and vibrant India, which was fascinating in terms of culture and traditions, but also disappointing when it comes to living conditions. The moment you realize how many people live in improper conditions, you start appreciating what you have even more.
India has a real problem when it comes to food and drinking water. It was a shock for me to see a lot of people gathered around a tanker who were trying to fill plastic containers with drinking water.
Water recycling is a common practice in India and I was very surprised to find out that even the water from the hotel showers was recycled and then used to water the gardens and the green areas.
Despite these aspects, they always smile and their attitude should be an example for the rest of us. Indians are very hospitable and annoyingly friendly, and they are really fascinated by the white tourists who cross their threshold. They believe that the whiter your skin is, the better you are. It is the only country I have visited so far, where the locals were desperate to take pictures of us.
Another interesting aspect about India is the fact that time seems to pass very slowly. You have the feeling that a day has more hours and an hour has more minutes. India reminded me of my grandmother who used to tell me that time was passing slowly in her youth.
India is the country of spices and even if I must confess that I didn’t like Indian food, it was interesting to taste different spices and flavors. Anise, butter chicken masala and tandoori chicken masala are among the ones which I really liked.
There are other interesting aspects which are worth mentioning about India, but I would like to start talking about the fascinating tourist attractions this country has to offer.
First of all, in case you decide to visit India, my advice is to choose an organized tour with a professional local guide who will be able to give you plenty of interesting information about their culture, history, traditions and tourist attractions. My trip itinerary was planned around the Golden Triangle and it included the most beautiful and interesting tourist attractions in this area.
I started my Indian adventure in Delhi, the capital of the country, where I have spent a few days. The city is really vibrant and crowded and it displays a strong contrast between the poor and the rich areas. Even if the sudden passing from a rich area to a poor one is really surprising and confusing, the city has a lot to offer when it comes to beautiful and interesting tourist attractions.
You should admire every corner of Qutub Complex, a beautiful complex which displays a few ruins and also the tallest tower in India.
Considered the symbol of the Baha’i Faith, the wonderful Lotus Temple is another beautiful place which should be visited.
Built in the Indo-Persian style, Humayun’s Tomb is an outstanding monument which reminds of the marvelous Taj Mahal.
You should feel the energy of Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, which is one of the most prominent Sikh houses of worship.
The imposing India Gate, the House of the Parliament, the impressive Rashtrapati Bhavan and the Red Fort are other beautiful attractions in Delhi which are worth visiting.
Mahatma Gandhi Complex which includes a museum and a memorial called Raj Ghat is another place which deserves your attention.
Displaying an impressive architecture, the Jama Masjid which is one of the largest mosques in Asia is one of my favorite places in Delhi.
Enjoying a rickshaw ride through the Old Delhi is indeed a mandatory experience in case you want to discover the authentic vibe of the city.
The narrow alleys of Chandni Chowk shelter a few markets where you can buy a variety of goods. The Spice Market is one of the most interesting in the area.
My favorite place in Delhi is the Swaminarayan Akshardham Complex, which shelters a unique and modern Hindu Temple.
As well as Delhi, Jaipur is equally vibrant and chaotic and it has a lot to offer. Any visit to Jaipur should start and end in the local bazaar, where you can find different goods at low prices, especially if you are a good negotiator. You should drive a hard bargain because Indians usually charge ten times more for every product.
During the few days spent in Jaipur, I had the chance to visit a few lovely tourist attractions which in my opinion should also be on your trip list.
One of them is the City Palace, which is a grandiose complex of exquisite palaces, gardens and courtyards.
A visit to the Astronomical Observatory (Jantar Mantar) will be an interesting experience.
You should also admire the outside of Hawa Mahal, which is another interesting building.
The beautiful Jal Mahal which floats in the middle of the Man Sagar Lake is indeed a great view to enjoy.
My favorite place in the area of Jaipur is the fabulous Amber Fort, which is a complex of ruins situated on the Aravalli Hills.
Reaching the top of the fortress on an elephant will perfectly complete the experience of discovering the beautiful courtyards, halls and walls.
My last days in India were dedicated to Agra, the most authentic Indian city. Agra shelters the imposing Taj Mahal which has fully conquered my heart.
Standing in front of this marvelous building and admiring its beauty and grandeur is indeed an unforgettable experience.
You can also admire the image of the Taj Mahal from Mehtab Bagh, which is a complex of gardens situated nearby.
Admiring Agra Fort, which is the seat and the stronghold of Mughal Empire will also be a great experience.
A visit to Itmad-Ud-Daula, which is the first tomb in India made entirely of white marble, will perfectly complete your experience in Agra. This place is also called Baby Taj Mahal because its architecture is quite similar to the marvelous Taj Mahal.
Situated close to Agra, Fatehpur Sikri is a deserted red sandstone city which will be a feast for your eyes in case you decide to visit it.
These are the most beautiful and interesting tourist attractions which can be admired in the Golden Triangle of India. Taking into account the good and the bad aspects, India is a country that deserves to be discovered because it offers a really unique blend of experiences.
