The Best of New and Old Delhi, India

Old Delhi & Chandhi Chow: The complete opposite of New Delhi, visiting the heart of old Delhi on the main street of Chandhi Chowk is a must-do experience. With multiple alleys and streets connecting to the main boulevard, you can wander for hours checking out shops and people watching. Tip: Go in the morning before it reaches maximum crowds, some people may feel a bit claustrophobic when it's packed.

Humayun's Tomb: The precursor and inspiration for the Taj Mahal, this memorial is in an idyllic garden setting that is much more relaxed than visiting the actual Taj Mahal. Built 450 years ago, it's an amazing piece of architecture in the middle of the city.

Qutub Minar: Over 800-years old and a UNESCO World Heritage site, this tower is one of the tallest minarets ever constructed and its purpose is still a mystery. The tower alone is worth the visit. Surrounding the tower are exquisite ruins that drip with historical significance.

Gurudwara Bangla Sahib: This Sikh temple showcases a daily miracle, offering up to 12,000 meals for free to anyone that enters the temple. This amazing feat is done every day by volunteers who serve excellent tasting vegetarian meals efficiently. Being able to watch this being done and tour the facilities to see the volunteer operation is both inspiring and thought provoking.

Connaught Place: The main commercial center of New Delhi, this is where to go for a range of dining and shopping options. Built during the British occupation of India, all of the structures are designed in a Georgian style of architecture with 8 roads leading out of the inner circle. This is an interesting spot for both history and architecture fans along with people who just like to shop and eat. This area has something for everyone.

Day trips

It is possible to travel to Agra, home of the Taj Mahal, on a day trip. It's about a 3.5 hour drive one-way to Agra, so leaving Delhi early is required, but this is a common day trip for many visitors. If you don't have time to visit Agra, then this day trip is something you should definitely do because you cannot visit India and not see the Taj Mahal.

Indian Accent: Consistently awarded as the best restaurant in India and one of the best in Asia, this restaurant prides itself on offering Indian food with an international accent. Enjoy this fine dining experience with their take on modern Indian cuisine in a gorgeous setting. Make reservations early because this is one of the hottest spots in town.

The Spice Route: Stunning decor and ambiance highlight this restaurant and make you feel like you are eating with royalty. Based on cuisine from along the original Spice Route, this restaurant offers an edible adventure through the entire region of East Asia. It is worth the visit just to see the setting.

Dum-Pukht: This restaurant is famous for cooking in the Dum style, which features slow-cooked meats in sealed vats. A visit is warranted for the delicious biryani alone but definitely stay for the rest of the food and beautiful furnishings.

Omya: An undervalued gem, this restaurant serves flavorful Indian cuisine through shareable small plates. Add the famed impeccable Oberoi service, making this a fantastic experience.

Lakhori: Located at the UNESCO awarded Haveli Dharampura, this dining experience is like stepping back in time to savor old Delhi cuisine in a fully restored Mughal-style mansion called a haveli. If you can't stay in the hotel, it's worthwhile to stop by and sample the creative recreations of traditional street food while appreciating the historic building.