JESS THE WANDERER: February 2015

Here are a list of places that I recommend anyone traveling to India to visit. Even though some of these places are very touristy, there are listed for a reason. All these places have interesting history and are some of the most breathtaking places I have ever travel to.

8. Auroville

Not a typical Indian Community but definitely one of the most interesting places to visit. Auroville is a community that belongs to nobody, where everyone is treated equal. Filled mostly with people from outside of India it has an interesting mix of hippies and creative minded people.
Sites to see:
-The solar kitchen is one of the most popular food joints in town with everything cooked via solar power.
-The city center has everything you need to know about Auroville. Take a gander at the giant gold Meditation dome known as the soul of the city.
-The forest. Marvel at what this community has grow in just a few years.

7. Old Town - Delhi

Delhi isn't much to rave about however old town Delhi has great character. Take a rickshaw ride through the narrow streets or Walk through the red fort and gaze at the amazing arches
Sites to see:
- The Red fort Delhi.
- Jamma Masjid: a mosque built by the architect who also built the Taj Mahal

6. Gandhi Museum - Delhi

Learn about what an Gandhi's amazing life and what he achieved for the community. Every quote in this memorial shows the visitors what a spiritual and intelligent man Gandhi was. A great visit for anyone that wants to learn more about India's history.

5. Red Fort - Agra

In the morning just before the fog lifts this fort is a rich red colour and amazingly beautiful. One of the most interesting things about this fort is that this was the place that the emperor that built the Taj was imprisoned until he passed away. They held him in a cell that overlooked the Taj (Built for his late wife).

4. Ranthambore

If you want to try your luck and spotting some tigers your best chance is at Ranthambore. The most famous national park in India where Maharajahs used to holiday and hunt tigers. You will be picked up from your hotel in the morning in an open air bus and taken into the park. You will see plenty of monkeys, spotted deer, crocodiles and cheeky birds landing on your heads. Even though we went on 3 safaris, we did not see any tigers. Nonetheless, it is a beautiful park to visit, and you will see wildlife that you wont see anywhere else in India at Ranthambore.

NOTE: In the winter the morning safaris are FREEZING. Make sure you wear very warm clothes and a beanie, however they do provide blankets.

3. Jaipour

Jaipour is home of the amber fort located along the cliff face outside the city. Each morning tourists line up to take an elephant ride up a steep road to the fort. I enjoyed the ride however when you think about how these beautiful animals are treated I would have preferred to walk. The inside of the fort is lavish and green with gardens. Warning: watch out for the monkeys.
Sites to see in Jaipour:
- The amber fort obviously.
- Textile making. Jaipour is famous for its prints and printmaking.
- Walk the city streets. There are some great stores where the locals shop and since tourists don't usually wander around the streets they are extremely cheap.

2. Taj Mahal - Agra

There are no words to describe the Tai Mahal except, Perfect. I have never been to a more beautiful place in my entire life. You may think that I am exaggerating but once you leave the hustle and bustle of the busy Indian city streets and enter this calm perfect surroundings with a pure white temple, you will understand. It does get quite busy there but don't pay attention to what other people are doing. Enjoy every second of this perfect place made by the emperor for his wife that passed away during child birth. It is a temple built on love. Make sure you take a close look at the tiles on the inside of the Taj and all the fine details.

1. Udaipur

My favorite city that I visited. You can tell that this city has the most money generated from tourism because it is so clean and well kept up. This picturesque city surrounds the central lake with the Lake Palace located in the water. The Lake Palace was the Maharajas summer home. My family and I were lucky enough to stay at the lake palace for a few nights and my god it was amazing. After taking a private boat to the palace you are showered with rose petals on arrival. Each night there are traditional music and dance performances and you can eat a candle light dinner at the restaurant that overlooks the city palace. It's not cheap to stay here, at all, but it is well worth it for the experience. It's probably the most lavish and fancy hotel I will ever stay.

Also Udaipur, the monsoon palace and the lake palace were the set for the James Bond film "Octopussy".

Sites to see in Udaipur:
- The city palace. The city palace is beautiful and there is a nice very of the whole city from the top of this palace.
- The monsoon palace. You will need a driver to take you to this palace as it is located on the highest mountain overlooking the lake and Udaipur. The view is incredible and worth the long winding drive
- Get a little lost in the narrow city streets. There are some great little shops with locally made items. Watch out for expensive tourist traps and remember to bargain down, a lot.
- The city park is great. It's nice to relax somewhere outside of the city for a little while. The park has a miniature train running through it and there are lots of monkeys hanging around the park floor.