Imagine visiting beautiful palaces, fragrant temples, listening to peaceful chanting, running your hands over thousand year old sculptures and eating authentically delicious food. And then there's the reality of the crowded airports, smelly restrooms, loud traffic, dusty streets and if you're not careful, the water that can make you sick. A trip to India is a paradox a wonderful experience juxtaposed with reality - either way an onslaught on all your five senses.

Home to approximately one sixth of the world's population, India is the seventh largest country in the world. This could mean many months of travel within India and not scratching the surface of what the country has to offer.

The most frequently visited part of India is undoubtedly the "Golden Triangle". This
comprises of Delhi (the nation's capital), Jaipur and Agra. The city like other major metropolitan cities around the world is polluted, crowded and noisy. Delhi is rich in history and comprises of several impressive monuments including the Mughal Red Fort, the solid stone tower of Qutub Minar and the India gate (built to honor the 90,000 Indian soldiers who died during World War 1). There are numerous temples and mosques including the Birla Mandir, the Bahai Temple and the Jama Masjid Mosque. It is important to remember when visiting holy places to respect local customs, particularly that of removing footwear when entering a temple. Delhi prides itself in the beautiful gardens in the city such as famous Lodi Gardens and the Mughal Gardens located in the Presidential Residence. Delhi is centrally located for travel to Agra and Jaipur.

India's most famous tourist attraction, the Taj Mahal is in Agra. A three hour train
journey or a 30 minute flight will bring you to the great Moghul monument that took over twenty years to build. Emperor Shah Jahan built this magnificent structure to immortalize the love for his wife who died during childbirth. The Taj Mahal is made entirely of pure white marble and its pure white walls are decorated with exquisite "pietra dure" (stone inlay work). It is said that different types of precious and semi-precious stones were used in the intricate inlay work Agra is also famous for another UNESCO World Heritage site, the Agra Fort. Made out of red sandstone, the fort was home to several great Mughal Kings and even contained the largest state treasury and mint. Within its walls lies the grand enclosure for harem festivities and included pools and fountains.