Not everyone looks forward to a vacation just for the extra naps. There are those among us who want to be inspired, want to see the world from a brand-new perspective, and actually experience something instead of just reading about it or watching it on TV. Here’s why India is just the ticket for your next vacation.
- Culture
It’s true enough that nearly any part of India provides cultural experiences that visitors will find interesting. However, there are some areas where tourists know they can take in a lot of Indian culture in a brief amount of time.
The Taj Mahal in Agra, for instance, is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. This marble structure has stood since 1632, although a team of 23,000 (including elephants) took 20 years to complete it. Or check out Mysore in Karnataka, known as the City of Palaces.
If you’re a major fan of the Bollywood scene, stay in Gurugram. If you stay at the Courtyard Gurugram Downtown, you’ll be less than 15 minutes from the Kingdom of Dreams, which features live entertainment, including Bollywood musical theater.
- Science
If you’re all about merging family fun with an engaging educational experience, you cannot miss Science City in Kolkata. It’s one of the biggest science museums in the world, featuring many interactive exhibits that allow young and old alike to truly grasp many scientific concepts.
Also in Kolkata you will find the Birla Industrial and Technological Museum (BITM). For more than 60 years, BITM has been presenting a diverse range of scientific interests to the public, with current offerings including a 3D theater and galleries dedicated to electricity, physics, mining, popular science, math, and more.
Other popular attractions concerning science are the Heritage Center and Aerospace Museum, and the Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum, both of which are located in Bengaluru.
- History
With such a long, storied history, the Taj Mahal has deep roots with the culture and history of India, but there are a few other destinations where history takes front and center.
Fatehpur Sikri, in Uttar Pradesh, was built in the 16th century as part of the Mughal Empire. Due to a lack of fundamental resources, the city has been all but abandoned since not long after it was completed. Today, much of the red sandstone city still stands with monuments, a mosque, and palaces, all in a range of architectural styles.
Hampi, in Karnataka, will be worth the trek for history lovers. You can visit the Archaeological Museum, the elephant stables, the Vijaya Vittala Temple, and the Virupaksha Temple, as well as other attractions. Hampi is a village that was formerly home to a Hindu kingdom, and as such, there are many remnants of this former kingdom still visible.
If you’re on the hunt for a vacation destination that will catapult you completely out of your regular day-to-day, India is the place. From modern luxuries to ancient ruins, you can easily choose your own adventure. Along the way, you’ll learn more than you dreamed of, as you take advantage of the country’s focus on culture, science, and history.
