More continent than country, is a vast melting pot of diverse landscapes, cultures, and dizzying sights. For first-time travellers, it can be an overwhelming destination to navigate, and you’ll likely need to pinpoint your explorations to a particular region. After a short stint in Mumbai, history buffs should head north to the states of and Uttar Pradesh, both rich with royal history, and teeming with endless palaces and forts to discover.
Here’s how to do your first trip in style. Birthplace of Bollywood, and India’s capital of cool, Mumbai is the ideal starting place for beginning your Indian odyssey — alongside being a well-connected, international hub to fly into. You can easily spend far longer here, but 24 hours is just enough time to provide an intoxicating glimpse into the city’s rhythm: head to the fish and flower markets at sunrise where you can rub shoulders with the locals, before admiring the architecture of Mumbai’s most famous monuments (Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai High Court, and The Gateway to India).
Bed down at , which straddles the city’s business district, and is well placed for easy exploring. Slick service stands out across the property - as soon as you step inside (and are showered with rose petals - a welcome that you’ll receive at all of Oberoi’s Indian properties), you’ll be swept up to your bedroom, where you’ll find personalised welcome treats, pillows and bathrobes embroidered with your initials, and panoramic vist.