Rajasthan & tropical beaches

Set in the northwest of India, Delhi is a vast and sprawling city, a ragtag collage of thousands of years of successive empires and a major powerhouse of the modern economy. Although there is plenty of local colour, most international visitors treat the place as little more than a transit stop on the way to more exotic and less hectic locations. A major base for luxury trains.

Set in the Rajasthan province of northwest India, Udaipur is a famously pretty city, centred around seven lakes and featuring a very impressive collection of palaces, including the iconic Taj Lake Palace Hotel. An unusually good area for walking, mountain-biking and horse-riding and with some fantastic forts in the vicinity.

Set in the Rajasthan province of northwest India, Jodhpur is a large and historic city, which is centred around one of the largest and most impressive forts in the country. The adjacent walled city contains a mazy network of famously blue-coloured lanes and alleyways, as well as a large traditional market.

Set in the Rajasthan province of northwest India, Jaipur is a large city which contains a wealth of historic buildings (including the renowned Amber Fort), as well as an impressive artisan tradition and lively street scene. A very popular stop on the famous Golden Triangle route, along with Delhi and Agra.

Set in the Rajasthan province of northern India, Ranthambore is an iconic national park, best known for its lovely scenery, romantic ruins and impressive Bengal tigers, as well as a wide range of other wildlife. The reserve is easily combined with the popular locations like Agra, Jaipur and Udaipur.

Set in the Uttar Pradesh province of northcentral India, Agra is a large and rather ramshackle city, which happens to contain some of the most impressive historic architecture in the world, centred on the remarkable Taj Mahal. A very popular stop on the famous Golden Triangle route, along with Delhi and Jaipur.

Set in the northwest of India, Delhi is a vast and sprawling city, a ragtag collage of thousands of years of successive empires and a major powerhouse of the modern economy. Although there is plenty of local colour, most international visitors treat the place as little more than a transit stop on the way to more exotic and less hectic locations. A major base for luxury trains.

Set in the Indian Ocean, around 600 km southwest of the tip of India, the Maldives is a vast collection of gorgeous coral atolls, home to around 150 resorts, some of which are amongst the very best in the world.