Translated from original post on Goitaca:

5 lugares imperdíves na Índia

Written by riclage, visit his site

The author of this article has lived in India since last July. Since then, he has had the opportunity to visit several places and has been able to talk to people about where he needs to visit before he leaves this multi-faceted country.

The following is a list of five places (some of which he has visited and others that will certainly soon be a part of his itinerary) that are considered “must sees” by the majority of the people he has talked to here.

1. Taj Mahal

The first on the list, of course had to be one of the new 7 wonders of the world. The Taj Mahal is in fact one of the most incredible manmade structures he has ever visited. It is grandiose, powerful, and beautiful, not even mentioning its beautiful gardens with a wonderful view of the reflecting pool there.

Taj Mahal and its gardens

The Taj Mahal is in the city of Agra, two and a half hours from Delhi via an express train or three hours by car. A trip by car may be the better choice to allow for a stop in Mathura, an area considered sacred by Hindus that shelters the place where Lord Krishna was born.

Be prepared to confront long lines at the entrance to the Taj Mahal and to be harassed by persistent vendors. The best strategy is to leave this for last, or simply ignore them altogether.

Another tip is to plan to visit the area on a night with a full moon. With a little luck, you will be able to see the reflecting pool reflecting the gold light.

2. Goa

This state on the Indian west coast was made famous by its Portuguese colonial history and its beaches. To give an idea of its Portuguese influence, the largest city in the region is called “Vasco da Gama”

The visit to Goa is worth it because of its spas and its night life. If it’s something you’re interested in, there are also cathedrals and Catholic churches and some naval museums that attract tourists. The prettiest beach perhas is Palolem, basically a small strip of sand surrounded by hills on both sides.

3. Kerala

This state in southern India has the nickname of “God’s Own Country”. The area is known worldwide for its natural and cultural beauties, as well as being one of most socially and economically structured states in the country.

4. Delhi

The Indian capital is a plate full of flavors for every taste. Because the city has more than 5,000 years of history, a stop in this city is mandatory to visit its temples, museums, culinary delights, and art.

Also, you can find the strongest traces of English colonization. When visiting the capitol complex of the Indian government it seems you are in a different country because of the architecture of the buildings around the area.

You cannot miss visiting the Lotus Temple, a Bahá’í temple, Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India, the Ghandi memorial, and the Qutb Complex, an area with many monuments and historic buildings, some of which are more than 1,000 years old.

Don’t forget also to visit Old Delhi and its markets to try its local food. The market is an excellent option to buy inexpensive souvenirs.

One of the main streets in Delhi

5. Jaipur and Thar Desert

Jaipur itself is a city with a lot of things to see: Temples, palaces, and mosques that are scattered throughout the region. The city is also entrance to the Thar Desert where a safaris on camels cannot be missed. Packages can even include nights in luxurious tents with banquets and local dance shows.

This list of course is only a point of view that does not exclude other important destinations such as Varanasi, where ceremonial cremations are done on the banks of the Ganges River.

This is the author’s first essay here on Goitaca, and soon he will review more about this country really is, as the slogan of the government says- incredible.