With rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft taking over, you might be wondering where in the world it’s still possible to take a cheap taxi. Cabs aren’t dead, yet: These countries still heavily rely on them.
21.07.2023 - 07:53 / roughguides.com
Another simple yet essential part of an Indian meal, in the north at least, naan is a leavened flatbread that is kneaded with yoghurt and baked on the sides of a deep clay over – the tandoor that lends its name to the tandoori cuisine of North India. Thick and chewy, it is the perfect accompaniment for rich meaty dishes. Purists prefer it plain, though you can also bake it with garlic or with coconut and almonds (peshwari).
Naan Bread © Lisa Holmen Photography/Shutterstock
Indian sweets can be very sweet indeed, and only the sweetest of tooths could work their way through a box of kaju barfi. Barfi is a kind of fudge made from milk that has been boiled down and condensed, and kaju barfi are creamy white chunks of temptation, topped with silver leaf (which you eat) for good measure.
© highviews/Shutterstock
Dosas are a South Indian staple, and you won’t travel far in Kerala or Karnataka before coming across one of these moreish crispy pancakes. Made from fermented rice batter, they come in a variety of forms, the most common of which is the masala dosa, where the pancake is stuffed with a spicy potato curry.
© Shutterstock
So simple and yet so significant, dhal is invariably served – in one form or another – with every Indian meal. These versatile curried lentils can appear alongside a main as anything from a soupy sambar, spiked with asafoetida and tamarind, to a tarka dhal, cooked with a masala of fried garlic, onions and spices.
© Shutterstock
continued below
Like many of India’s most popular dishes, biriyani was brought to the Subcontinent by Muslim invaders from Central Asia and Persia. It’s a classically rich North Indian dish that marries fragrant rice, baked with saffron or turmeric and whole spices, with chunks of moist marinated meat (and often a hard-boiled egg). Pungent and hearty, and especially appetising when sealed with a crusted pastry 'lid' that’s cracked open at the table.
Homemade Indian traditional mutton biryani © SAM THOMAS A/Shutterstock
Even if you never eat Indian food, you’ll no doubt have tried a bhaji at some point. Bhaji is just the Indian name given for a vegetable dish, whether that be a side of aubergine (brinjal bhaji) or potato (aloo) or chopped onions mixed in batter with flour and spices and then deep-fried – the onion bhaji, the ubiquitous street snack that has become a staple starter in curry houses across the UK.
Crispy onion bhajis © Aniket Bhawkar/Shutterstock
The beauty of a thali is its variety – and the fact that ordering one in most traditional restaurants is essentially a licence to eat as much as you want. Named for the metal tray on which it is served, a thali usually consists of an island of rice surrounded by a selection of vegetarian curries, chutneys and
With rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft taking over, you might be wondering where in the world it’s still possible to take a cheap taxi. Cabs aren’t dead, yet: These countries still heavily rely on them.
New Delhi is India’s vibrant, multi-faceted capital. The city is a part of the larger Delhi region and serves as the seat of all three branches of the Government of India. The sprawling metropolis known for its wide, tree-lined boulevards and is home to several beautiful parks and gardens, like the Lodhi Gardens and the Mughal-era garden Shalimar Bagh. It’s also famous for its bustling markets and numerous monuments, such as the Red Fort, Qutub Minar, and Humayun’s Tomb, which are also UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Planning a trip, especially a first trip to India, can feel like a mammoth job, and making sure you have a comfortable place to stay on arrival in New Delhi is one of the most important factors. It’s even worth siphoning off a portion of your budget to go towards staying somewhere a little more splashy. After a long flight and the sensory overload of the city, having luxury accommodations, first-class facilities and service to match is priceless. Here’s a reliable selection of New Delhi hotels famed for their traditional (and exceptional) Indian hospitality from world-renowned brands like Oberoi and Taj Hotels and Shangri-La.
Cushioned by the North Shore Mountains, Vancouver is interrupted by pockets of greenery and bay views. The natural landscapes are matched by the port city’s art museums, vibrant food culture, and wine bars that show off what British Colombia is capable of. Downtown Vancouver, BC, hotels put you within walking distance of the main sights and are just a short subway or boat ride to outlying spots. These are the best luxury hotels in Vancouver for living the high life on Canada’s West Coast.
The rugged landscapes of the Outer Hebrides, off Scotland’s west coast, may be sparsely populated, but there’s a deep human history here, from ancient stone circles to traditional Gaelic culture. These interconnected islands have shaped a distinct way of life, not just in the Harris Tweed and whisky distilleries that travellers encounter, but also in the daily routines of remote fishing communities. Spanning over 150 miles, this island chain is stitched together by causeway, bridge, road and boat, meaning visitors can pick their own method — car, bike, bus or ferry — to make the most of this extraordinary destination.
Whether you want to keep fit while on holiday, or just explore new corners of the UK on foot, Jen and Sim Benson – authors of the new Wild Running: 150 Adventures on the Trails & Fells of Britain – have compiled their five favourite running routes in Britain.
No matter where in the world you're headed, we bet you're looking forward to a delicious meal or two. And many of the dishes easiest on the pocket are the tastiest on the tastebuds too.
Taken from the new Pocket Rough Guide , this is our pick of the best pubs in London .
From historic bars pouring the finest whiskies to gastropubs serving up gourmet burgers, when it comes to Edinburgh nightlife, there's has a drinking den to satisfy every craving. There are some world-class establishments in the city – but also plenty of duds. Follow our guide (and steer clear of the Grassmarket) for the best night out the Scottish capital has to offer.
Of course Britain has more than its fair share of world-class art galleries and exhibitions, but sometimes it's more interesting to find artwork out and about in public spaces. Here's a few of our favourite al fresco pieces, drawn from travel bible Make The Most Of Your Time In Britain.
If you live in North America you’ll probably need no introduction to Outlander. This epic TV series is already massive on the western side of the Atlantic and has finally hit UK TV screens courtesy of Amazon Prime. For the uninitiated, think of Outlander as a cross between Game of Thrones and the movie Braveheart.
Co-author of the Rough Guide to India, Nick Edwards, explains why trekking in Ladakh is among India's finest.
There's something about road trip travel that always captures the imagination. You can take it all at your own pace, choose where to go and set off with a true sense of freedom and adventure. Thanks to the good old invention of the road (we have the Mesopotamians to thank for that!), we have access to plenty of landscapes on many travellers' bucket lists simply by sitting behind the steering wheel. Here are some of the best countries for a road trip — and of course, each one of our suggestions is bookable as a Rough Guides tailor-made trip. All you need to do is get in touch and we can sort out your dream self drive holiday.