India's capital city has a reputation for being one big mess. That may be true, but nowhere does chaos function as smoothly – and poetically – as in Delhi, which also boasts amazingly quiet, green and, above all, luxurious areas.
The traffic rolls along steadily, skillfully passing huge potholes and cows grazing on the side of the road. Once you get past the culture shock, you can look on in wonder: as chaotic as everything seems at first glance, there is a method to the madness. The traffic resembles a giant ballet, as the choreography unfolds with elegance.
Delhi has numerous luxury hotels and after just one night you'll be ready for a city that is fast approaching the 30 million mark. If you want to take it easy, take a break at Nehru Park, Delhi's green center. Kite flying is a popular sport in India, not just on the national holiday. Kids as well as adults enjoy watching their colorful kites dance in the air. After a relaxing break, head to the modern parts of Delhi, which have a lot to offer architecturally. The Lotus Temple, which opened in 1986, has won numerous architectural awards.
It's open to all religions and aims to connect and not separate. At night, the lotus blossom is illuminated. Of course, you could also visit the huge Hindu temple complex of Swaminarayan, which looks like something out of the Thousand and One Nights, or the Friday Mosque, the largest mosque in India, which is slightly elevated. But actually, it's time to get lost in the winding streets of the old city, to dive into one of the countless bazaars, to smell, taste and see.
The Friday Mosque is located right at the beginning of the bazaar district and the further in you go, the busier it gets. Spices pile up, and as the tourists become fewer, you experience more and more of authentic Indian everyday life. If the hustle and bustle becomes too much, it's best to take a break at one of the elegant rooftop bars or have one of the countless cabs take you to the Lodi Gardens, where you can watch Indian families enjoying a picnic.
