No trip to India is complete without a visit to the magnificent Taj Mahal. India’s most iconic site is surely the most extravagant monument to love ever built. Standing proud over the Yamuna River, this spectacular mausoleum is most magical at sunrise when the morning light spreads across the Taj, highlighting its golden glow.

One of the oldest cities on earth and holiest places in Hinduism, the ghats that tumble down to the River Ganges are a riot of colour and spectacle as devotees bathe in the river to wash away their sins. A boat ride across the river watching countless candlelit paper boats with fl owers carrying prayers gently fl oat across the water, perfectly captures the spirit.

A magnifi cent hill top fort. Amber’s soaring ramparts would be impressive enough in their own right but to wander through the elephant sized Sun Gate and fi nd that they enclose palaces, temples, courtyards and some of the fi nest examples of Rajput and Muslim art in India is truly astonishing.

Over 1,600 temples, palaces and forts dot the dramatic rocky landscape of the Deccan Plateau, a testament to the flowering of culture in India’s last great Hindu kingdom. Star of the show is the 15th Century Virupakasha Temple complex, whose tallest tower soars over 50 metres into the air.

Seeing a tiger in the wild is one of the world’s great wildlife experiences, their beauty, grace and, it must be admitted, elusiveness makes them one of the most prized sighting on any safari. A former maharaja’s hunting ground, Ranthambore is home to romantic ruins and a range of habitats that are home to a real diversity of wildlife and are a scenic delight to boot.

Sikhism’s holiest shrine, the Golden Temple rivals the Taj Mahal for beauty and sheer wonder. Although the main draw is the gleaming shrine refl ected in the waters of the sacred lake, for many it’s the spiritual impact that lingers with the constant hum of prayers and music echoing over the lake and the throngs of devotees who visit the site.

The backwaters that meander through Kerala are the jewel in southern India’s crown, a seemingly endless maze of lakes, canals and rivers weaving between lush paddy fields, sleepy villages and coconut groves. A peaceful few days exploring on a traditional houseboat is one of life’s great travel experiences.