Travel Guide
Namaste everyone,
Thank you for everyone for adding a meaning to our wedding.
We invite you all not only to be part of this celebration but also to have fun in India.
That 8 hours flight from the Netherlands to India will land you in a parallel universe. There will be several cultural shocks but I am sure it will be a good adventure for all. We highly recommend extending your stay to explore the sights and sounds of India before or after the wedding. It’s a journey you won’t want to miss!
P.S: No one can prepare you for India
Delhi
1 Day :
- Lotus temple
- Finish your shopping in Lajpat Nagar and GK2.
- India gate and Rashtrapati Bhawan (go in the evening)
- Dinner: Gulati Restaurant or Havemore Restaurant in Pandara Road for Butter Chicken.
2 Days:
- Lodhi Art District (JLN stadium metro on violet metro line), next to that Lodhi Garden, Humanyun’s Tomb, Safdarjung Tomb
- Delhi haat (metro station INA, yellow line)
- Dinner: Hauz Khas village (cool hippie spot) or Khan market.
3 Days:
Chandni Chowk:
If you are up for adventure, visit old Delhi. It’s famous for Red fort, Jama Masjid and birth place of Jahangiri chicken in Karim’s Restaurant. Check out some YouTube videos before this leap. Beware of pick pockets here.
Or
Cannaught Place/ Central Delhi (aka CP).
- Metro station: Rajiv chowk or Janpath (less confusing).
- This is a place for eating, clubbing to street shopping (janpath market) , digital products, high ended brands, everything is possible here. Modern but chaotic!
Food
The Indian kitchen is one of the best in the world. It’s the land of the spices. Indians eat with their hands, they believe that eating is a sensory activity, and touch is part of the experience along with the taste, aroma of the food.
TIP: Buy Gelusil for acidity (To calm your stomach)
Meals
Butter Chicken
The most famous Delhi dish. Must try in Gulatis and Havemore restaurant at Pandara Road.
Dosa & Idli
Although it are South Indian dishes, it’s absolutely amazing. Carnatic Cafe and Sarvana Bhavan.
Thali
This is absolutely amazing. You get a big plate with different kind of curries in veg/non veg.
Biryani
Mughal rice dish with chicken or mutton, comes with raita.
Snacks
Momos
Trish dreams more of momos than of me. It’s the (national) streetfood of Delhi.
Chaat & Samosa
Streetfood made from yoghurt and veggies. A hygenic place to eat them is Haldirams.
Panipuri / Golgappa
This streetfood you’ll find all over India. Let yourself be surprised! You can also get this at Haldirams.
Desserts
Jalebi
Kheer
Gulab Jamun & Ladoos
Exchange to Rupees
Don’t exchange your money at the airport counters, they charge higher rates. It’s best to withdrawl money at the ATM.
Get a SIM card
For communication purposes its best to get a simcard of AIRTEL.
Documents: 2 passport size photos and a photocopy of your passport/driving license.
How to get around
The best way for transportation in Delhi Metro
Taxi: Download Ola & Uber app
Long distance buses: Book via Flix buses and Redbus.in
Train: Book only 2nd or 3rd tier AC coach via redbus.in
Flights
To book your flight look at these handy websites:
- Skyscanner
- Google Flights
- Kayak
My Reccomendation: Air India because you get 46 kgs luggage allowance.
Cost: 580 – 800 Eur
Tip: 1 kg less, the weighing machine in the Delhi airport always add 1 kg 😆 )
Within India: Indigo
10 Days Trip
Some suggestions and ideas to plan your travel
- 5 days Delhi (2 days rest/shopping + 2 days wedding)
- 1 day trip to Taj Mahal and Agra Fort
- 3 days to Rajasthan: Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer (dessert safari)
15 - 30 Days Trip
North India: Himachal Pradesh (by bus) cold
- Snowy and good for hiking
- 2 days in Manali (by 8hrs night bus from Delhi), 4 days in Dharmsala and Macleod Gang
North East India:
- 5 or more days in West Bengal
- 2 days in Kolkata , 3 days in Darjeeling (tea garden) and Kalimpong https://acornertodiscover.com/darjeeling-in-the-monsoon/
- Recommendations: Kolkata’s fish fry and sweets, handicrafts from Kolkata
West India:
- 5 or more days in Maharashtra and Goa
- 2 days in Mumbai and 3 days in Goa (Beachy hippie vibe)
South India:
- South India: 5 days – 7 days in Kerala (God’s own Country)
- 5 days in Tamil Nadu: Chennai, Pondicherry and Ooty
Religious places from Delhi:
- 1 day Varanasi, UP (Need to stay overnight)
- 4 days trip to Dharmshala, McLeod Gang (in Himachal Pradesh)
Don't Drink Tap water
Ask for filter or ARO water in restaurants. Avoid ice drinks or sugar cane juices.
Use bottled or filtered water.
Food
The food in India is Amazing but it might be upsetting you western stomach.
Buy a strip of Gelusil from pharmacy. It’s an antacid you need for any stomach upset 🙂
Avoid eating uncooked food, salad and continental dishes for hygiene concerns.
Photobombing
Be ready for attention from the locals. Not that they want to harm you, but people are curious to see beautiful nationalities. Don’t get offended if kids want to take photos with you 🙂
Safety
Don’t be in a lonely place at night, you are calling danger.
In Delhi or Kolkata, return hotel by 10:30 – 11 PM max.
West and South India are safer.