April 2024

In the days of today when we are inundated with heavily filtered discoveries on Instagram and unlimited check-in suggestions from Google, the Northeast of India offers a glimpse of a part of India often neglected by visitors and its existence is unknown to many. A region of rugged beauty adorned with magnificent hills, glistening lakes, ancient monuments, exotic wildlife and a collision of indigenous cultures – the northeast region of India is a holiday destination just waiting to be explored.

Lucknow is infectious. Steeped in checkered history, the best way to get acquainted with its rich Nawabi history, culture and tehzeeb (etiquette) that it is renowned for, is to set out on an informative heritage walk through the old quarters of the city. The heart of the old city or chowk (intersection) is the quintessential “small town India” with its maze of narrow alleys that sell everything under the sun, bicycles and motorbikes vying for space with humans, monkeys jumping on rooftops; women haggling with shopkeepers for a good deal and the distracting yet, mouthwatering smells from the local food stalls.