New Delhi & Agra – India

If you have done all the usual touristy things in Delhi like;

Humanyun’s Tomb, Chandi Chowk, Swaminarayan Akshardham, Red Fort, The Lotus Temple and Raj Ghat, Mahatma Gandhi Memorial, then you might enjoy my next read on a few different places I visited on my quick work trip to New Delhi & Agra.

Arrived Le Meridien in New Delhi to be met by such wonderfully welcoming staff and welcome mocktails. The interior view from Henri’s Bar on the top floor looking down is a sight behold and the view outside from Henri’s Bar is just lovely.

To me the hotel style is quite futuristic with its décor and colour scheme. Located a short 15 minute drive nearby are Connaught Place and Janpath Market, so makes this hotel centrally located for the getting around that I needed to do. My room had a wonderful view of India Gate and it was so nice to be in such a busy city but to see and enjoy the lush green gardens and landscape.

Connaught Place Market was quite busy the day we visited and has certainly changed since my last visited quite a few years ago. A lot of the local business’ seemed to have shut shop which was sad and the surrounding stores on the outer circle are very western focused which if that is what you are looking for, then it’s great. I loved walking the outer circle as the eclectic mix of people on the street I found so interesting as well as stopping at the stalls but be prepared to bargain.

At Janpath Market you can enjoy street shopping and purchase anything from clothing, souvenirs, artwork and jewellery. I much preferred the street shopping atmosphere of Janpath as it’s more akin to purchasing traditional clothing and artefacts. Highly recommend KCS Kashmire Shawl Emporium for quality of goods and service. We all came away with some beautiful shawls. We did not veer off Janpath Road, there are also stalls located in Janpath Lane as well but there was so much to see and as usual so little time as we had a function to get too and before we knew it, we needed to get back to the hotel but thoroughly enjoyable and would recommend Janpath Market.

If you are looking for somewhere with ample food and service, try Anglow Whisky Bar and Indian Kitchen located in the Khan Market. The shops here are divine but be warned this is one of New Delhi’s most expensive retail locations so nice to look but if you are budget shopping you’ll find pieces at other markets much more reasonably priced. That said what I was impressed about were the number of up market boutiques selling jewellery, fashion by local designers in this location as well and if that is what you are looking for, then this place is your jam.

Spend a day getting out of the city and visit Agra. This is an over 3 hour each way journey so please bear this mind, you need to leave Delhi early. We had previously been to The Taj Mahal and Agra Fort so we spent the day browsing in the local shops, engaging with the locals, visiting a Zardori tapestry store and even buying trinkets from local bicycle riders who just pull up by the roadside to show you their wares. Our driver did warn us the police were very strict about moving these sellers on as many are unlicensed. Next visit I am going to make sure I see Sadar Bazar for local street food, Kinari Bazar for Indian jewellery and Rawatpara Spice Markets. Due to India Independence Day holiday not an awful lot was open but still nice to get out of New Delhi and enjoy the sunshine.

For great local tourism information

https://india.embassy.gov.au/ndli/infocnslr.html

https://www.incredibleindia.org/content/incredible-india-v2/en.html

https://www.marriott.com.au/hotels/hotel-information/delmd-le-meridien-new-delhi/

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