Discover the magnificent scenery of the Scottish Highlands by booking your tickets on British Airways flights.
07.11.2023 - 15:05 / lonelyplanet.com
Should you go directly to Delhi or make your way to Mumbai instead? We asked two writers to make the case for each Indian city.
India is life in all its frenetic, Technicolored, at-full-blast glory. Loud, chaotic, majestic and photogenic, sometimes all at once, few destinations leave travelers as spellbound.
But when it comes to the big cities, should you visit the historic capital Delhi, or 19th-century upstart Mumbai? We asked two writers to make the case for a city each.
Puneetinder Kaur Sidhu now calls Chandigarh home but Delhi, her coming-of-age city, will always have her heart.
Let’s face it: by the time Mumbai came into its own in the early 19th century, Delhi had already been the center of power for seven formidable empires. (Eight, if we count its time as Indraprastha, the capital of the Pandava kingdom in the mythological Hindu epic Mahabharata. The atmospheric 16th-century ruins of Purana Qila supposedly now stand in its place.)
Centuries of turmoil, including the struggle for freedom against colonial rule, have endowed Delhi with the ability to rise from the ashes time and again. How else do you think Dilliwalas acquired their carpe diem spirit? Or, their love for la dolce vita? The Indian capital might feel fast-paced and modern but it's all wrapped up in a rich, layered past. It's this dichotomy that attracts me to Delhi: it's a young and vibrant city unburdened by its history. The two simply coexist.
No other Indian city can match Delhi’s spread of heritage. Alongside biggies like the Red Fort and the Jama Masjid mosque, architectural gems hide in plain sight. They're found along the packed lanes of Shahjahanabad and are laid out along the broad leafy boulevards that radiate out from India Gate, such as the former stately home to the British Viceroy, Rashtrapati Bhavan, which crowns Raisina Hill. History hides behind the glitzy up-market malls of Saket and stands tall in Mehrauli’s Qutb Minar Complex, engulfed by the dense Aravalli woodlands. Sorry Mumbai, you can’t match this!
Then there's Delhi’s vibrant food scene, a mouthwatering mélange of cultures past and present. Fed by an ability to absorb people without making them feel like outsiders, the capital has some of the finest flavors Indian cuisine has to offer. From the Mughlai-influenced chaats (savory street snacks), niharis (slow-cooked meat stews), and kebabs of Old Delhi to legacy dining at the iconic Bukhara or Dum Pukht, the city is stuffed with great places to eat. Then there's premium fine dining at restaurants like Indian Accent, plus the best in global cuisine, including Peruvian, Ethiopian, Japanese and more. Experiential travelers will find bespoke culinary walks that visit the Khari Baoli spice market or include cooking
Discover the magnificent scenery of the Scottish Highlands by booking your tickets on British Airways flights.
I hate using public restrooms. I dislike the sounds, the smells, and the sensations. When I'm exiting the bathroom stall, I hate the awkward shuffle I have to do when I'm pulling the door towards me, while at the same time, trying to avoid touching the rim of the toilet with the back of my legs. But the worst part for me about using a public restroom is people overhearing me.
Earlier this year, I went to Mumbai, India. I've been traveling to India annually to visit family since I can remember, and as I got older, began to visit my best friend from college.
People like to ask travel and food writers about their favorite countries for eating. I name the usual suspects—Italy, Mexico, Japan. And then there’s my dark horse: Georgia (“the country,” I sometimes clarify, depending on my audience). The country is an ancient melting pot at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, Russia and the Middle East; a place with a complicated history; a self-proclaimed capital of life, love, food and wine in the “forgotten backyard of Europe.”
Planning a subcontinental winter holiday? Read on as two writers make the case for their preferred South Indian state.
In September, hours after landing in Paris, I headed straight to Signature Montmartre, a French-Korean bistro friends had been lavishing with praise. But already this is a series of words I find startling. I had lived and worked in Paris awhile during college; I go back when I can; until this trip, I didn't recall noticing a Korean shop or restaurant here. The bistro's lights shone from large windows like an inviting beacon, guiding me to food that was, as reported, astonishing: French cuisine shot through with distinctly Korean flavors, like tender prawn-filled perilla in a curry aioli, followed by a fig tart with jujube cream, one of the most delicate, fascinating pastries I've ever had.
Think of Kenya and your mind instantly fills with exquisite scenes of safari jeeps and beautiful beaches lapped by the Indian Ocean.
After Sri Lanka and Thailand, Vietnam is likely to be the next destination to offer visa-free entry to Indians. According to local media, Vietnam Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung suggested it allow Indians and Chinese to visit without a visa for a short period. As of now, only nationals of Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland can enter Vietnam without a visa.
Before we met him, we expected that Matthew Goode would have a certain refined British humor, and it turns out we were right. His success with hit series like Downtown Abbey and The Crown, blockbusters like The King’s Man and Leap Year, and cult films like Match Point and Stoker has not affected the actor’s open and affable attitude. Now he adds another credit to his list as he stars alongside Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button in Hackett's new autumn-winter 2023 campaign.
It’s a big world out there. It’s surely snowing somewhere.
Thousands of residents have been evacuated from a coastal Icelandic town and a world-famous spa has closed as experts fear a nearby volcano could erupt in a matter of days. Travelers should watch the situation closely, but there’s no need to alter travel plans—yet.
Following the incredible success of the YouTube channel Great Art Explained in 15 minutes, arts writer James Payne has launched a brilliant new series offering a fresh look at world literature.