Cruise & Rail: The Sacred Ganges & the Maharajas' Express

Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, India, is a vibrant city known for its rich cultural heritage, colonial architecture, and intellectual dynamism. Often called the "City of Joy," Kolkata blends the old and new, featuring landmarks like the Victoria Memorial, Howrah Bridge, and Indian Museum alongside bustling markets and modern malls. The city's literary and artistic legacy is celebrated through numerous festivals, theaters, and galleries. Renowned for its culinary delights, Kolkata offers a diverse cuisine, from street food to Bengali sweets. Home to notable figures like Rabindranath Tagore, the city remains a hub of education, politics, and culture.

Kalna, also known as Ambika Kalna, is a picturesque town in West Bengal, India, renowned for its stunning terracotta temples and historical significance. Nestled on the banks of the Bhagirathi River, Kalna showcases a rich blend of culture and history. Key attractions include the Rajbari complex, which houses exquisite temples like the 108 Shiva Temples and the intricate Terracotta Temples. The town is also famous for its beautiful gardens and serene riverbanks. Kalna's vibrant local festivals and traditional crafts reflect its deep-rooted heritage, making it a fascinating destination for history enthusiasts and cultural explorers.

Matiari is a quaint village in West Bengal, India, renowned for its traditional craftsmanship and serene rural charm. Known particularly for its exquisite brass and copperware, Matiari is a hub for skilled artisans who create intricate handmade items, reflecting the region's rich cultural heritage. The village's picturesque landscape, dotted with lush fields and small water bodies, provides a tranquil backdrop to its vibrant local culture. Matiari offers a glimpse into the timeless traditions and simple, harmonious lifestyle of rural Bengal, making it a unique destination for those interested in folk art and the serene beauty of the Indian countryside.

Murshidabad, located in West Bengal, India, is a historic city steeped in rich cultural heritage and architectural grandeur. Once the capital of Bengal during the Mughal era, it is home to the stunning Hazarduari Palace, known for its thousand doors, and the majestic Katra Mosque. The city's landscape is adorned with splendid nawabi architecture, gardens, and ancient tombs. Murshidabad's vibrant history is reflected in its bustling markets and traditional silk weaving industry. The serene banks of the Bhagirathi River add to its charm, making Murshidabad a captivating destination for history buffs and cultural enthusiasts alike.

Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, India, is a vibrant city known for its rich cultural heritage, colonial architecture, and intellectual dynamism. Often called the "City of Joy," Kolkata blends the old and new, featuring landmarks like the Victoria Memorial, Howrah Bridge, and Indian Museum alongside bustling markets and modern malls. The city's literary and artistic legacy is celebrated through numerous festivals, theaters, and galleries. Renowned for its culinary delights, Kolkata offers a diverse cuisine, from street food to Bengali sweets. Home to notable figures like Rabindranath Tagore, the city remains a hub of education, politics, and culture.

Mayapur, located in West Bengal, India, is a spiritual haven renowned as the birthplace of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the founder of the Gaudiya Vaishnavism tradition. Situated at the confluence of the Ganges and Jalangi rivers, Mayapur is a global center for the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). The town attracts devotees and tourists with its serene ambiance, the grand ISKCON Chandrodaya Temple, and vibrant religious festivals. The peaceful environment, devotional music, and lush greenery make Mayapur a sacred destination for those seeking spiritual growth and tranquility, offering a deep connection to the rich traditions of Hinduism.

Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, India, is a vibrant city known for its rich cultural heritage, colonial architecture, and intellectual dynamism. Often called the "City of Joy," Kolkata blends the old and new, featuring landmarks like the Victoria Memorial, Howrah Bridge, and Indian Museum alongside bustling markets and modern malls. The city's literary and artistic legacy is celebrated through numerous festivals, theaters, and galleries. Renowned for its culinary delights, Kolkata offers a diverse cuisine, from street food to Bengali sweets. Home to notable figures like Rabindranath Tagore, the city remains a hub of education, politics, and culture.

New Delhi, the capital of India, is a bustling metropolis blending rich history with modernity. Known for its grand architecture, New Delhi houses iconic landmarks like India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhavan, and Qutub Minar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city showcases the Mughal legacy through monuments like Humayun's Tomb and the Red Fort. New Delhi is also a cultural hub, hosting vibrant festivals, diverse cuisines, and bustling markets like Chandni Chowk. As the political and administrative heart of India, it features wide avenues, lush gardens, and a dynamic urban lifestyle, embodying the essence of contemporary India.

Agra, located in Uttar Pradesh, India, is world-renowned for the Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and symbol of eternal love. Built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal features stunning white marble architecture. Agra also boasts other Mughal marvels like the Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri. The city is steeped in history, reflecting its significance during the Mughal era. Agra's bustling markets offer exquisite leather goods, handicrafts, and sweets like petha. Its rich heritage, combined with vibrant culture, makes Agra a must-visit destination in India.

Ranthambore National Park, India, is a renowned wildlife sanctuary in Rajasthan, celebrated for its population of Bengal tigers. Nestled amidst the Aravalli and Vindhya hills, it offers a dramatic landscape of dense forests, ancient ruins, and serene lakes. Visitors can embark on thrilling safaris to spot tigers, leopards, and diverse flora and fauna. Key attractions include the majestic Ranthambore Fort and picturesque Padam Talao lake. Ranthambore's blend of rich wildlife, historical sites, and natural beauty make it a premier destination for nature enthusiasts and photographers.

Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, India, is known as the "Pink City" for its iconic pink-hued buildings. Founded in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, Jaipur is famed for its rich history, majestic architecture, and vibrant culture. Key landmarks include the City Palace, Hawa Mahal, and Amer Fort, showcasing Rajput and Mughal architectural brilliance. The city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is also known for the Jantar Mantar observatory. Jaipur's bustling markets offer exquisite jewellery, textiles, and handicrafts, while its festivals, music, dance, and cuisine reflect the region's cultural richness and diversity.

Bikaner, India, is a vibrant desert city known for its grand forts and palaces, such as the Junagarh Fort and Lalgarh Palace. Located in Rajasthan, it features intricate havelis, bustling markets, and unique attractions like the Karni Mata Temple, home to thousands of revered rats. Bikaner's rich culture is evident in its traditional crafts, folk music, and the famous camel festival. Surrounded by the Thar Desert's golden sands, Bikaner offers a captivating blend of history, architecture, and desert charm.

Jodhpur, India, the Blue City, captivates with its vivid blue houses and the imposing Mehrangarh Fort. Nestled on the edge of the Thar Desert, Jodhpur boasts stunning architecture, bustling bazaars, and rich cultural heritage. The city's vibrant streets are filled with the aroma of Rajasthani cuisine and the sounds of traditional music. Historic landmarks, such as the Umaid Bhawan Palace and Jaswant Thada, highlight its regal past. Jodhpur's blend of vivid colors, desert landscapes, and royal history make it a mesmerizing destination.

Udaipur, India, the City of Lakes, enchants with its majestic palaces, serene lakes, and lush hills. Known for the splendid City Palace and the romantic Lake Palace, Udaipur's architecture reflects regal heritage. The vibrant bazaars, intricate temples, and cultural festivals showcase its rich traditions. Boating on Lake Pichola, exploring the historic streets, and experiencing local cuisine add to Udaipur's charm. Its blend of natural beauty and royal grandeur makes Udaipur a captivating destination.

Mumbai, sometimes called the Maximum City, after Suketa Mehta’s 2004 nonfiction book of the same name, encapsulates the dynamism and chaos of modern India better than any other city. In this sprawling, muscular place by the sea that you'll find everything from succulent street food to haute cuisine, bargain-basement bazaars to haute couture, humbling poverty to staggering wealth, sacred temples to hedonistic nightclubs. Mumbai is in many ways the New York City of India, and the many of the locals carry the same kind of chip on their shoulders—despite the madness, they wouldn’t trade it for any other place on Earth.Mumbai is a city of extremes, where slum-dwelling strivers making dollars a day serve Bollywood stars and industrial billionaires. It's a 24-hour city stocked with some of the best late-night street food in the world, as well as fine-dining restaurants of renowned chefs. It's a cosmopolitan city of people from all over India that's nonetheless home to strident parochialism. It's a city of dreams for millions of Indians that, at the same time, affords so few any measure of comfort. And it's a beautiful city of silver towers when viewed by twilight from the Bandra-Worli Sea Link bridge over the Arabian Sea, but that sight quickly turns into a maze of winding, dirty streets and alleys when viewed up close.Sensory overload is the name of the game on the island formerly known as Bombay (and yes, most locals still call it by its previous moniker). The first thing that hits you when you arrive at the airport is the smell—spicy, fishy, and, to be honest, often not altogether pleasant. Next comes a crazed cab ride through the seemingly lawless streets (should your driver run a red light or, just as likely, drive on the wrong side of the road, try to remain calm). Then a traffic jam in the midst of a veritable symphony of honking, in which barefoot children, often holding infants, and tragically disfigured men and women knock at your window, begging for change. Persevere through, though; embrace and try to understand the natural hazards of the developing world, and you'll find yourself in the middle of a beautiful, often inspiring city.

Mumbai, sometimes called the Maximum City, after Suketa Mehta’s 2004 nonfiction book of the same name, encapsulates the dynamism and chaos of modern India better than any other city. In this sprawling, muscular place by the sea that you'll find everything from succulent street food to haute cuisine, bargain-basement bazaars to haute couture, humbling poverty to staggering wealth, sacred temples to hedonistic nightclubs. Mumbai is in many ways the New York City of India, and the many of the locals carry the same kind of chip on their shoulders—despite the madness, they wouldn’t trade it for any other place on Earth.Mumbai is a city of extremes, where slum-dwelling strivers making dollars a day serve Bollywood stars and industrial billionaires. It's a 24-hour city stocked with some of the best late-night street food in the world, as well as fine-dining restaurants of renowned chefs. It's a cosmopolitan city of people from all over India that's nonetheless home to strident parochialism. It's a city of dreams for millions of Indians that, at the same time, affords so few any measure of comfort. And it's a beautiful city of silver towers when viewed by twilight from the Bandra-Worli Sea Link bridge over the Arabian Sea, but that sight quickly turns into a maze of winding, dirty streets and alleys when viewed up close.Sensory overload is the name of the game on the island formerly known as Bombay (and yes, most locals still call it by its previous moniker). The first thing that hits you when you arrive at the airport is the smell—spicy, fishy, and, to be honest, often not altogether pleasant. Next comes a crazed cab ride through the seemingly lawless streets (should your driver run a red light or, just as likely, drive on the wrong side of the road, try to remain calm). Then a traffic jam in the midst of a veritable symphony of honking, in which barefoot children, often holding infants, and tragically disfigured men and women knock at your window, begging for change. Persevere through, though; embrace and try to understand the natural hazards of the developing world, and you'll find yourself in the middle of a beautiful, often inspiring city.