India on the Maharajah’s Express

The first luxury rail in India to be able to cross state borders, Maharajah’s Express, departing out of Delhi, is a throwback to the glamour of the British Empire, with formal dinner dress and sumptuous surroundings. The deluxe cabins were announced to be the most spacious in their category when the train was unveiled to the public in early 2010. There are two dining cars, one serving a western meal, one a classic Indian. Both are multi-course. There’s also a bar carriage that’s perfect for post-dinner cocktailing, as well as the observation coach, which is clubbier, with gaming tables. The entire setup caters to the cruise passenger mentality, where guests can sightsee in several different destinations without having to worry about packing and unpacking, hopping on short flights, or messing with transit. From the moment the Maharajah’s Express representative meets guests in their hotel lobby and escorts them to a private boarding platform in Safardjung Railway Station, it’s an expertly orchestrated experience. Sometimes, there will even be a guest speaker on board to give evening lectures.

Day Trips from Delhi

Not surprisingly, people have often referred to Delhi as “chaotic”—how could it not be with 12 million people in the city and 22 million in the urban area? It’s also a very tech-forward, shopping mall-friendly city where natural features and historic attractions seem to struggle to stay alive. If you want to appreciate some of the individual charms of the region, you may want to day-trip to some of these more famous destinations.

Taj Mahal
This legendary monument is only one of many sights at Agra, which was the capital in the 1500s. The Red Fort is another, similarly as magnificent and with probably more history. The Taj Mahal, however, is world-renowned for its massive white-marbled grace and beautiful gardens. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, as determined in a 2007 worldwide poll.