 Aerial view of Kolkata and Howrah in West Bengal Few Indian cities have such a distinctive sense of history as Kolkata. Once the capital of British India, Calcutta grew into a major centre of trade, administration, education and culture, leaving behind an extraordinary collection of colonial-era buildings and institutions.
But Kolkata is much more than a reminder of the British period. It is a city with a strong cultural identity of its own, shaped by Bengali literature, art, music, food and intellectual life. Its railway heritage adds another layer to the story, connecting the city with the wider transformation of India during the 19th and 20th centuries. For travellers on the Indian Magic Tour, Kolkata offers a fascinating counterpoint to Delhi: another historic city, but with an entirely different character and story to tell.
0 Comments
 New Delhi - India Gate at sunrise A day in Delhi can feel like a journey through several centuries of Indian history. From the Mughal grandeur of Humayun's Tomb to the monumental avenues of New Delhi and the locomotives of the National Rail Museum, the city brings together remarkably different chapters of India's past.
For travellers on the Indian Magic Tour, Delhi provides an ideal introduction to the country. Its historic landmarks reveal the story of successive empires and changing capitals, while its railway heritage offers a glimpse into the network that helped connect the many different regions of India.  For centuries, the Malabar Coast has been one of the great meeting places of the Indian Ocean world. Arab merchants came in search of pepper, Chinese traders arrived by sea, and European explorers eventually followed, drawn by the extraordinary value of the spices grown in the lush lands behind the coast.
Today, the Malabar Coast is still a fascinating place to travel. Palm-fringed beaches, historic ports, bustling markets, Portuguese and Dutch influences, fragrant food and Kerala's famous backwaters all form part of a landscape shaped by centuries of trade and cultural exchange. And there is perhaps no better way to experience it than by train.  India’s railway stations are rarely just places to catch a train. Some are grand architectural landmarks; others are tiny hill stations surrounded by mountains, forests or tea gardens. And on some of India’s most spectacular railways, simply arriving at the station can be an experience in itself.
|
..Archives
September 2026
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed
Call us on +44 (0) 1777 817798 - we love to chat about our holidays!
|
|