Delhi/ Agra 4 days in August
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Anonymous
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Seeing India I always say it's like reading Solzhenitsyn or Brothers Karamazov or something really hard. It's earth shattering enlightening and when you're in it, you know it's important and worthwhile, but having done it once, I never want to do it again! As in pleasurable is not the word I would use to describe going to Delhi or Agra. Hahaha.
Good luck OP. I'm Asian and when I was there I was stared at like a piece of something in my 20s. It was so annoying and weird. You will still stick out unless you look Indian. |
Anonymous
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Hi OP. I'm not Indian but I've been married to a South Indian for 27 years and have gone to India every year since, so I've spent a ton of time there and consider Bangalore my second home. I was just in Delhi/Agra for the fourth time in January taking some friends who were visiting India for the first time (non-Indians who absolutely LOVED India and want to go back).
I think you could easily avoid the hustle and chaos of both cities and enojoy the highlights with your kids. It will be hot obviously, but not quite as bad as the spring heat that starts around April. In Agra, I would only spend one night, get up super early and see the Taj, then head to Dehli. Others have mentioned staying at the Oberoi which is a great suggestion. If that is out of budget, I've stayed at both the Trident and at the ITC Mughal (Marriott), which are both perfectly nice choices. I would suggest some down time hanging at the pool - but check with ITC because the pool was closed when I was just there last month. As others mentioned, hire a car and driver for the whole trip. Since you're Indian, I'm sure you'll have an auntie or uncle who has a good travel agent who could arrange the car for you ahead of time. Stop at Fatephur Sikri on the way to Delhi (watch Jodha-Akbar first if you haven't already - beautiful movie!). In Delhi, there are so many great places to visit, most of which have been mentioned already. I would just avoid Old Dehli/Chandni Chowk if you don't want to be in the crowds and chaos (however, that is my favorite part of Delhi but I like the chaos!). If you do want to wander through Old Dehli I recommend a walking or bicycle rik tour. Your hotel can arrange it. Khan Market is also a fun place to shop and the kids would probably enjoy hanging out there. We stayed in the ITC Maurya, which has one of the most famous restaurants in Delhi - Bukhara. But there are a ton of great hotels in Dehli to choose from. I know that India gets a lot of hate on DCUM but as a non-Indian, I really love the place and have been traveling the country regularly for 27 years, along with my kids since they were babies. Enjoy OP! |
Anonymous
| PP here - I will also add, to everyone who was there when they were in their 20s, India has changed immensely in the last 27 years that I have been going. It is NOTHING like you all remember from even a few years ago. In fact every year I notice improvements. Just visit the Bangalore airport and you'll know what I'm talking about! |
Anonymous
| Op here. Thank you PP. this is very helpful. |
Anonymous
DP. Bana Studio for gorgeous ethnic silver jewelry. |
Anonymous
| I visited Delhi and Agra 2 months ago. Hired a driver to take me to Agra where a tour guide joined us. It was a very enjoyable tour. The guide has Master’s in history, is very knowledgeable, respectful and fun to be around. We laughed a lot. I have his phone number if anybody is interested (can be reached via WhatsApp). |
Anonymous
I quite liked Shahpur Jat for shopping. It is in South Delhi. |
Anonymous
| Hot as hades don’t do it. |