Delhi is all about great dining experiences right from mouthwatering delicacies dished out in leaf plates at road side chaat corners to the elegant French plates where you can nibble on your Olive Oil Brownies with Toasted Walnut in decadent settings.Delhi is flooded with lavishly appointed homes and more than its share of the country's influential folk, richly clothed and dripping diamonds in broad daylight! Women actually dress to go shopping! Which is our way of reminding you to carry a lot of good and we mean real good, clothes when you travel to Delhi, it's all about being seen at the right place in the right clothes.

When to Visit
Being a land locked space and its distance from the sea the temperatures here are rather extremes. The summers in Delhi are very hot and winters very cold. The temperature range varies from 45 degrees in summers to 1 degree in winters, yes it is very cold. Summer in Delhi, from April to July, is merciless and exhausts one with its dry heat. November to March is lovely with the added splendour of the festivals, starting with Diwali and ending with Holi.

The best season to tour Delhi is during the spring seasons of February to April and August to November. But should you want to check out the lovely blossoms and colours of Delhi come here in February and March.

How to Reach
Air
Delhi is a major gateway to the country and well-connected by air to all metros and as well to most cities with an airport. The Indira Gandhi International Airport is also busy with flights taking off to various corners of the globe.

Rail
The headquarters of the Northern Railway Delhi is the most well connected railhead in the country. It's four stations New Delhi, Old Delhi, Delhi Cantonment and Hazrat Nizamuddin are serviced by trains to all corners of India. All the Rajdhani's no matter which part of the country they originate from come here.The luxury trains Palace on Wheels and Royal Orient, which, chug off from Delhi, offer unforgettable experiences.

Road
Delhi probably has the best roads India has to offer, but that's only in proper New Delhi, so do not let that carry you away. The rest of the drive, from where you are coming in from may not be a song. The capital is well connected by road to almost all parts of India.

What to see
Delhi has two sides to it, the clean green broad road, big squared, spacious New Delhi and the dingy, dirty, tiny-laned Old Delhi. Both have stories to tell and sights to see. Old Delhi is 6 km away from the city centre. But no matter where you go, try the food at all the restaurants, it's awesome

Historical
Humayun's Tomb
A hot favourite for most tourists, and locals, is this tomb, built by emperor Humayun's wife. It is regarded as an example of the early Mughal architecture and took eight years to complete. Check the location out, the tomb has been placed bang in the centre of a well planned garden, a combination of high arched entrances topped by a bulbous dome in white marble and red sandstone brings out the beauty in this structure against the setting sun. For those of you who cannot visit the Taj Mahal, check this tomb out in details, it is believed to be the prototype of the famed Taj Mahal of Agra. Begai Begum, The emperor's wife, has been buried here. Visiting hours are 10 am-5 pm, Mondays closed.

Jama Masjid
This is one structure that will take you to Old Delhi, where the aromas of the glorious Muslim food will prevent you from concentrating on anything else, but this architectural masterpiece deserves more than just a view. It's believed as many as 25,000 people can fit into its courtyard! Three great gateways, four towers and two minarets constructed of strips of red sandstone and white marble are important parts of the mosque. Come Friday and the place takes on a new charm with thousands of Muslims offering prayers here. Another charm of this masjid is that you can climb all the way to the top of the towers. Do that, and take a peek at Delhi, the street life down below and the awesome metal works you can buy around the masjid.It lies just opposite the Red Fort make sure you check that out too.

Red Fort
If you have heard of the red fort, you have to have heard of the meena bazzar that lies just outside the red fort. It's hard to decide which ones better known than the other! One of the impressive sights in Delhi, this Mughal construction in red (its called the red fort remember) sandstone is located along the river Yamuna, its shape an irregular octagon. The heart of the Fort, Naubhat Khana was where musicians and dancers entertained the emperor. Huge halls, palatial apartments and luxuriously designed gardens form parts of this wonderful structure. Can you picture it, wouldn?t it be quite a spectacle. The main entrance is the Lahori Gate, a former royal market. There are a lot of interesting buildings inside the Fort too like the Rang Mahal (the water cooled apartments for the royal ladies (or the Diwan-E-Aam for public audiences. There is also a Red Fort Museum.Just outside the fort is the famous Meena Bazaar where exotic arts, artifacts, jewellery and carpets are sold. The fort is open 10.00 am-5 pm; closed on mondays

Old Fort
Popularly known as the Purana Quila, this wondrous structure owes its existence to two emperors: Sher Shah Suri and Humayun. Its ramparts cover a perimeter of nearly 2 km and there are three main gates, on the north, south and west, the last one functioning as the present entrance. The fort is open 10 am-5 pm; Mondays closed.

Jantar Mantar
This is probably the most often photographed spot in Delhi, what with its reddish-pink buildings that were constructed way back in 1725 by Jaipur Maharaja Jai Singh II's, these were used as observatories. An interesting part is the huge sundial known as the Prince of Dials. Various other instruments plot the course of heavenly bodies and predict eclipses. A fun place to visit, and a must for kids to know about.It is open 10 am-5 pm, Mondays closed.

Qutub Minar
It is better known as the most celebrated examples of Islamic architecture in India, but we suggest you go here as it is known as the seventh wonder of Hindustan. The 234-foot-high tower, with 376 steps, is the tallest stone tower in India, and would you believe it right through this length it has intricate carvings, verses and beautiful calligraphy work inscribed over it, with six lines in Sanskrit! Its believed that Qutb-u'd-Din Aibak laid the foundation and raised the first storey of the Qutab Minar in AD 1199, to this were then added three (some say four) more storeys with terracotta balconies by his successor and son-in-law Shamsu'd-Din Iltutmish. Unfortunately, climbing up the tower is now no longer possible, but a visit here is a must. According to legend, if you stand with your back to the pillar and can reach around and touch your fingers, any wish you make will come true! But the catch is?well, it is not possible! The complex is open 6 am to 6 pm, all days except Mondays. There is a special night-view for an hour from 7 pm on all working days.

India Gate
The best part about going to India gate, is the drive through the l-a-r-g-e six lane, bump-less, pothole-less roads. Keep driving straight from Rashtrapati Bhavan and you will reach India Gate. A war memorial in honour of the soldiers who died during the World War-I, this magnificent 42 metre high structure has been designed by Lutyens. The eternal flame (amar jawan jyoti) is placed here. Should you want to a break in your sight seeing tour, this is a good place to do it as you will see from the lawns that are dotted with families picnicking. India Gate is a place to simply have fun.

Rashtrapati Bhavan
The ultimate in architectural splendour and landscaped beauty is this imposing structure with all its pillars and porticos. This is the official residence of the president of India. Designed by Sir Edwin L. Lutyens and completed in 1929, this palatial building on Raisina Hill was formerly the Viceroy's House. Built on 330 acres of land, it comprises 340 rooms, no it does not translate to an acre a room, a lot of the space is used up by gardens like the mughal garden. This and the changing of the guard are the high points of a visit to Rashtrapathi Bhavan, you do need permission to enter parts of the complex though.Parts of the building are open 9.30 am to 2.30 pm on all days except Mondays.

Religious Places

Lotus Temple
This is one sight you may see from the window of some high rise building. It is a pleasure to watch it from the distance. And close up holds you spell bound. The spectacular and colourful sight, its no wonder that 4 million people come here annually, which incidentally is more visitors than the Taj Mahal gets. It is the main temple of the Bahai's in Delhi, located in Kalkaji south Delhi. Shaped like a half opened lotus flower, this temple is made of marble, cement, dolomite and sand. People of all faiths are welcome here as the founding principle of the Bahai faith is the unity of mankind. This temple is interesting from an architectural point of view as it brings together ancient Indian construction methods with the most advanced Western engineering principles and design. Do walk into the meditation space in this temple. Experience peace profound wash over you. The temple is open 9.00 am-7 pm, all days.

Birla Mandir
Also known as Laxminarayana Temple, it is dedicated to Lord Narayan (Vishnu) and his consort Lakshmi. There are other small shrines dedicated to Shiva, Ganesha and Hanuman. Beautifully detailed relief carvings are the high point of this temple for which 101 skilled artisans from Benares were commissioned. It is open all days.

Akshardham
Built under the anchor of the Bochasanvasi Aksharpurushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), it is a modern-day marvel that stands testimony to India?s unique religious and cultural beliefs. A 100-acre complex on the banks of the Yamuna, there is a stunning array of 20,000 statues, floral motifs, arches and beautifully carved pillars. It is believed that the construction of the temple cost a whopping Rs. 2 billion. It is open till 8 pm all days, except Mondays.