Agra, once the capital of the Mughal Empire, offers a rich cultural heritage, stunning architecture, and fascinating history, providing many interesting things to see and do. This is an important part of the Golden Triangle of India, attracting millions of tourists annually. It’s the home of the iconic Taj Mahal, it’s most important attraction, but there is more to see and do, making it worth staying here a day or two. Although modern day Agra was founded in the early 16th century by Sultan Sikandar Lodhi of the Delhi Dynasty, its golden age was during the Mughal Dynasty rule. Babur, a descendent of Genghis Kahn and the founder of the…

Learn the top tips for visiting the Taj Mahal to make your visit more memorable and stress free. The Taj Mahal really is stunning and definitely worth seeing in person. From the first moment I saw it from the balcony of my accommodation in Agra, I couldn’t keep my eyes off of it. Its architecture is so graceful and so grand, standing so majestically and seemingly pure above everything else around it, and it’s so inspiring that it was built by the fifth Muslim Emporer of the Mughal empire, Shah Jahan, to memorialize his beloved wife, one that sadly died due to complications from childbirth. The next morning, when I…

Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, is a very charming and energetic city, full of stunning palaces, impressive forts, and fascinating historical sites, offering so many incredible things to see and do. This is one of the most visited cities in India, part of the golden triangle that includes Jaipur, Agra, and Delhi. Jaipur is affectionately known as the Pink City of India, after being painted a dusky pink to welcome the Prince of Wales (who would later become King Edward VII) and Queen Victoria for a visit in the late 1800’s. It became so renowned for its color, that even today, most buildings remain this same pink. There are three…

Discover the best things to see and do in Kochi, India, known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea. This laid-back, multicultural port city was once one of the most important cities for trading spices between Europe and Asia. Black pepper, one of its most popular spices, was in such demand it was used as currency. At one point it was even called ‘black gold’, as it was worth more than its weight in gold. Crazy, right? But Cochin (as Kochi was known at the time) has many other important exotic spices; including cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, saffron, turmeric, and more. Merchants from the Middle East dominated trade here until the…

In addition to the stunning panoramic views from Kerala’s many hill stations and mountaintops, its brilliant tea plantations, serene rice fields, vast wildlife sanctuaries, and tropical rainforest area, Kerala has yet another popular tourist attraction, the Kerala backwaters; a network of lush, palm tree-lined canals, lakes, and lagoons, known as the ‘Venice of the East’. These picturesque waterways have been an important way of life here for centuries, key for agriculture, fishing, transportation, and more. It’s a place where water takes the center stage, with wooden boats as the main family vehicle and markets that float by. A place so tranquil, tourists flock here to cruise the sleepy canals, see…

Munnar, in the Idukki district of Kerala, has some of the highest elevation tea plantations in the world, providing panoramic views so majestic, it’s sometimes called the Kashmir of Southern India. If you love mountains, and you love nature, you’ll love the rolling hills here carpeted in a mosaic of neatly-trimmed tea leaf trees and skies with puffy clouds slowly drifting past soaring mountain peaks. The British, responsible for discovering that conditions were idyllic here for tea, transformed the thick forests here into plantations so beautiful, the area became a summer resort for the British Raj elite. Today, it’s a popular getaway for tourists, including honeymooners looking for a quiet,…

Palakkad, a district in the southern state of Kerala, is rich with natural treasures, providing many beautiful sights and things to do. Also known as the Rice Bowl of Kerala, Palakkad has many lush green rice fields, as well as rolling, misty mountains, plush, green forests, wildlife sanctuaries, large reservoirs and dams, and historical monuments. Even the roots of its name is derived from nature, as some think the name Palakkad comes from the “pala tree” (alsteria scholaris) and “kadu” (forest) that were once abundant here. This post covers the top things to do in Palakkad, how to get there, and the best time to visit. The Top Things To…

In southern India, nestled in the foothills of the Velliangiri mountains in the state of Tamil Nadu, is Adiyogi Shiva Statue, an immense statue of the God Shiva depicted as Adiyogi – the first yogi, from whose divinity yoga took birth. The statue and surrounding facilities are designed to inspire people towards well-being through yoga. And although Shiva is the highest force in Hindu religion, known as the Supreme Lord who creates, protects, and transforms the universe, Adiyogi does not represent any one religion, culture, or race. According to Sadhguru (the founder of Adiyogi), “This is not a deity, this is not a temple of some kind, this is an…