Vibrant Cities

Once a sleepy regional capital, Bangalore today is a modern metropolis that will come as a big surprise to those who are visiting for the first time. Also known as Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka is the technological hub of India and the very place where the country’s new, confident and global identity is being forged. Although the city might somewhat lack in historical sites, its buzzing and liberal atmosphere provides the perfect base for exploring the beautiful temples and palaces of the Deccan.

The site of former Indian, Portuguese and Dutch settlements, today’s Chennai was established by the British in the 17th century as a trading port. This colonial town, formerly known as Madras, has since grown into India’s fourth-largest city and the capital of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. This bustling and colorful Indian city is bound to have something on offer for everyone.

Cochin, also known as Kochi, is an Indian city in the state of Kerala that is widely renowned for its beauty and rich history. This city has long been a hub of international trade, with merchants from around the world coming to Cochin to exchange various products for aromatic spices, fine fabrics and shiny jewelry. The city's architecture is influenced by the Dutch, Portuguese, Chinese and Italian cultures, and it is filled with museums, temples, shops, restaurants, and other attractions to keep visitors entertained.

Hyderabad is India's national treasure, full of history, culture and amazing architecture. The century-old city never ceased to attract visitors from all over the world, international influences first pouring in with trade merchants in search of aromatic spices, shiny jewellery and gorgeous pearls. Today, Hyderabad is still known and loved for these goods, and many still travel here from afar to purchase them. The city also has numerous museums, shops, cafes and restaurants, so it's near impossible to be bored.

A city with well-known architectural beauties like the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel and the World One skyscraper set against the natural harbour of the Konkan coast, Mumbai is the capital of Maharashtra, India. It has now become one of the biggest melting pots in the world, boasting an ever-increasing population that is attracted by both the sights and business opportunities available here. Seeing all it has to offer may seem like a daunting task, but you are sure to find something to your liking in this megalopolis.

Delhi is a thoroughly inscrutable onion of a city: every layer you peel off reveals an even deeper layer of history. Rebuilt eight times by its many conquerors, it has been the seat of the Hindu, Muslim and British empires. All of them have left their mark in the architecture, customs, food and people of this relentless city; all are undergoing a transformation in the capital of modern India.

Kerala’s first city, with its knotty official name of Thiruvananthapuram (often substituted by the shorter, more manageable Trivandrum), is an exhaustive introduction to southern India's urban and cultural life. Trivandrum tends to be unjustly overlooked en route to the state's beachside settlements, but easily warrants a few days of its own.