India was everything I expected it to be and more. Just like Bollywood movies I was transported into a majestic land full of vibrant colours, exotic smells and a myriad of people rooted deep in history, culture and religion.

On landing at Delhi airport we were was whisked away to the ITC Maurya, a Luxury Collection Hotel.

The five-star establishment is located amidst the green belt of New Delhi’s diplomatic enclave and is a few minutes drive from both the airport and the city centre. The hotel has 440 luxury rooms and suites and is ideal for discovering both the old and new sides of India’s capital.

On arrival we were welcomed in a truly Indian fashion. With garlands draped around our chests, we were taken to the grand lobby for refreshing drinks before being shown to our rooms.

After a 12-hour flight and an evening arrival from Heathrow, the executive rooms in the Mauryan Chambers are exactly what you need to relax. With bowls full of fresh food and plates full of fresh cakes and dates, it’s a fine way to start the trip. Each room has its own butler, a novelty that takes time to adapt to, but nevertheless a surprise and welcoming aspect of the luxury brand.

The hotel is a popular destination for some of the world’s leaders including its most recent visitor, President Obama. It’s easy to see why it is such an attraction for state heads. It combines an historic aura with contemporary facilities creating a luxury ambiance. Each room is uniquely designed with a combination of opulence, space, and modern technology.

Delhi is a cosmopolitan city sitting in the nation’s golden triangle and has long been the cultural and commercial gateway to northern India. Having been the capital of the city of several empires, many ancient monuments, archeological sites and remains of national importance have been erected in the city.

The Mughals built a section of Delhi now known as the Old City, that served as a capital of the Mughal empire. During the British Raj, New Delhi was built as an administrative quarter of the city. It is quite easy to tell which part of the city you’re in.

New Delhi houses contemporary buildings clearly built in modern day India following its independence from the British in 1947 whilst Old Delhi is far from modern, but very quaint with old architecture, teeming bazaars and crowded streets.

Our tour of Delhi started at Qutub Minar, one of the tallest towers in India and a great example of Mughal architecture. It stands at 73m high and is based at the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, one of the first mosques to be built in India. Not far from the minaret is a 20-minute drive to Humayoun’s tomb.

This is one of the first examples of a Mughal garden and mausoleum and some say it was the first Taj Mahal as it was erected on the orders of King Humayoun’s senior wife Hajji Begum following his death. On a very warm day, it is the perfect way to start a tour of Delhi.

The tour commences into the spiraling Old City. Be prepared for overcrowded streets full of people, rickshaws, loaded buses, cars, and loud screeching horns, although noisy it adds character to the surroundings.

For total newcomers, a walk through the bazaar can be a very daunting experience. The narrow pathways are busy with shoppers but you also have to make way for people driving past in scooters, rickshaws and stall holders carrying their stock on a wagon.

There’s no warning ,but instead you have to rely on a keen sense of hearing to step aside and work your way around the markets which are a huge maze of tiny streets.

The markets are all set out in different sections, from the wedding areas where bright yellow garlands are on display to sparkling wedding ornaments, to the sari section, with rows of tiny shops with smiling sales assistant eager to get shoppers in.

A visit to the markets should not end without a stop at the paratha walli galas, or street food stalls mainly selling parathas - fried chapattis stuffed with spicy potatoes - and served with condiments of curry sauces.

The tasty parathas are just what you need after a day of sightseeing, and especially if you want to experience some real street food, they’re very popular with the locals as they’re quick and fast and incredibly tasty.

The tour of the bazaar leads us into Chandi Chowk or Moonlight Square. This is a bustling street and is a commercial centre for local people, it’s also a popular destination for shoppers who want to buy authentic Indian clothes.

From there we took a rickshaw to the Jama Masjid, or the Grand Mosque, built by Emperor Shah Jahan in 1656.

The mosque is open to people of all faiths. The huge courtyard was filled with families taking a rest from the busy streets, children playing and both Muslims and non-Muslims interacting. Women have to wear long cloaks to enter the mosque, but no one seemed to complain.

Following a busy afternoon exploring mainly old Delhi, we were escorted back to the hotel to rest before the evening meal at ITC Maurya’s famous and award wining Bukhara restaurant.

Bukhara with its rugged interiors and North West Frontier cuisine has been visited by celebrities as diverse as prime ministers, rock stars and royalty.

It is widely regarded as one of the world’s best Indian restaurants. One of its mouth-watering signature dishes includes the famed ‘Dal Bukhara’ – a combination of whole black lentils, tomatoes, ginger and garlic stirred over slow coals for 18 hours.

The creamy dal is accompanied by Bukhara’s famous nan breads; so huge it could have been shared out between all the diners at the restaurant. The meat dishes are all prepared in the clay ovens; they’re a healthy option, but very filling.

If you want a banquet you can try the hotel's grand DumPukh restaurant where you have be careful of the ‘melt in your mouth kebab’. It contains 50 per cent meat and 50 per cent fat and although tasty, probably not so great for your arteries, but comes highly recommended.

Not far from Delhi is the home of the Taj Mahal, Agra, A two-hour journey via train, it's is rather easy to get to. Our hotel, the ITC Mughal, is also part of the Luxury Collection of Hotels and is based at the centre of Agra.

The hotel evokes the majesty of the nearby Taj Mahal, its timeless gardens and opulent décor, is guaranteed to give any visitor a lavish stay.

The hotel is also home to the Kyal Kalp – The Royal Spa, a regal new addition to the 35-acre resort hotel.

Unlike its sister hotel in Delhi which caters for largely the business community, the ITC Mughal, is very much a place for tourists to unwind and relax amongst its lush gardens or a dip in the pool. We were all treated to an afternoon at the spa that can only be described as an oasis of tranquillity.

The ITC Mughal also boasts a fine range of restaurants. Dinner was at the Taj Bano. The cuisine was very similar to that in the Bukhara restaurant but if
you want to taste other world cuisines you can book yourself into the Mahjong Room which serves oriental cuisine. During lunch at the Mahjong, I experienced the best Chinese food I’ve ever had.

The Taj Mahal, is only a five-minute drive from the ITC Mughal. The Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan for his late wife Mumtaz. It’s come to symbolize “the epitome of love”.  The Taj Mahal left me totally mesmerized.

For people out to buy bargains, both Delhi and Agra have outdoor markets where you can try out your bargaining skills. By wary, for foreigners prices triple as soon as you walk into a shop. For tinklets, shawls and jewellery, the arts and crafts market in Delhi is the best place to pickup a bargain but if you want to shop in one of Delhi's stylish malls, head to the the DLF Emporium Mall, where you will Delhi’s super rich.

It’s not hard to see why so many people want to return to India. The Luxury Collection’s ITC Maurya and ITC Mughal are the ideal destination for a cultural break. They promise effortless luxury and that’s exactly what you get.

This is the perfect place to be if like Shah Jahan you want to be treated like a prince (or a princess.)

TRAVEL FACTS

Shelina stayed at the ITC Maurya in Delhi and ITC Mughal in Agra which are part of the Luxury Collection of hotels and resorts.
For info on prices visit starwoodhotels.com  For fares to Delhi from Manchester visit britishairways.com  or call 0844 493 0787

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