TRAVEL GUIDE: INDIA

Balancing the deep traditions of its past and the modernization of its future, India is rich in culture and in color. A subcontinent filled with historic trade routes and vast empires, the country has one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. Metropolitan India bustles with the movement of rickshaws and holy cattle, while the country practices its deep farming traditions and continues its struggle with extreme poverty. The Taj Mahal, a mausoleum considered to be the finest example of Mughal architecture and the grandest symbol of love, is India's greatest masterpiece. Satisfy your palate with foods infused with native spices, dance to the music of Bollywood, and drape yourself in the bright colors of a sari.

TRAVEL 'ROUND THE WORLD
Le Méridien's 100th Property Opens in India
Le Méridien hotel group, under the direction of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, celebrates the opening of its 100th property, Le Méridien Coimbatore in India.

Le Méridien hotel group celebrates its 100th property with the opening of Le Méridien Coimbatore in India

ITC Sonar, Kolkata, India, the first hotel in the world to earn carbon credits under the carbon trading regime

GREENING THE WORLD
ITC Hotels Named Greenest Luxury Hotel Chain in the World
India's ITC Hotels is the first chain to have every one of its hotels awarded a LEED Platinum certification, the highest rating from the U.S. Green Building Council, making it the greenest luxury hotel chain in the world.

TOP 10 SPA HOTELS
ITC Mughal
At 99,000 square feet, ITC Mughal's Kaya Kap — The Royal Spa is the largest spa in India. While it might seem that a place so big would be overwhelming, this lavish sanctuary in fact feels quite intimate.

WALK ON THE WILD SIDE
Taj Safaris' First Tiger Circuit
Taj Safaris introduced the first tiger circuit in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesha, which comprises a series of National Parks that feature tigers and a variety of exceptional wildlife.

TOP 10 HONEYMOON HOTELS
Mihir Garh
Privacy is the defining word for Mihir Garh. A contemporary castle fortress that feels as if it has risen from the sand that surrounds it, this exclusive hotel has just nine suites, each with more than 1,700 square feet of space.

One of the nine lavishly appointed suites at Mihir Garh in Rajasthan, India

A lounge chair with a view at Green Magic Treehouse Resort

TOP 10 EXTREME HOTELS
Green Magic Treehouse Resort
Imagine your very own tree fort — there are two to choose from — one at 90 feet off the ground and another at 100. Each was built by Paniya tribesmen using local materials and indigenous techniques, and feature lovely furnishings, wraparound verandas and draperies of forest canopy.

TOP 10 CASTLE HOTELS WORLDWIDE
Taj Lake Palace
This lustrous white marble palace rises like a mirage from the center of Lake Pichola. You arrive by motorized gondola and are immediately ensconced in a kind of opulence unimaginable in today’s Philippe Starck world. With their opulent furnishings and to-die-for terraces, the suites will take your breath away.

TOP 10 YOGA RETREATS
Shreyas Yoga Retreat
This retreat offers an upscale, personalized experience normally associated with exclusive hotels, promoting the spiritual tradition of yoga in combination with eco-friendly initiatives and meals made from freshly handpicked, organically grown ingredients.

TOP ROMANTIC HOTELS
Wildflower Hall in the Himalayas
Wildflower Hall characterizes itself as a fairytale luxury resort, and indeed this former residence of a British Lord is an enchanting place — high in the Himalayas on 23 acres of virgin woods. The views of the mountains and valleys are stunning, and The Oberoi Spa by Banyan Tree invites holistic healing.

TRAVEL SPECIAL
Adventure Worth Yakking About
Redefine "extreme sports" with a yak skiing excursion in Manali, India. Design your own unique vacation experience with Remote Lands Bespoke Travel, including yak-powered runs up and down the Tibetan Mountains.

RELAXING RETREATS
Top Spas in India
Escape from hustle and bustle of India's busy cities with a traditional spa treatment at one of the country's many spas. Experience the exotic Marma balance massage at The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai or an Ancient Indian Honey & Sandalwood Rub at Ananda in the Himalayas.

MORE INDIA FEATURES

Indian Food Terms: From Aloo to Vindaloo

Everyday Indian cookbook by Bal Arneson

Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces:
India’s premier hotel group, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces opened its initial property, the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, in 1903. The company now operates 57 hotels throughout India and an additional 13 in the Maldives, Mauritius, UK, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Africa and the Middle East.

For more information visit the Indian Ministry of Tourism
at www.tourisminindia.com

Guides for other parts of the world

(Updated: 12/02/11 CT)

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