2016 Europe, Middle East, and Africa Travel Guide - (Page 49)

November to March Once we learn to pronounce Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, we also discover it is home to the Jaye He Museum, India's largest public art program; some 7,000 works pack the 4-story museum GETTING THERE: Delta flies to Mumbai and New Delhi connecting through Amsterdam ENTRY DOCUMENTS: Valid passport; all visitors need visas, which are valid for 6 months CURRENCY: The Indian Rupee LOCAL FOODS: Konkan, or coastal food, is the local specialty, and seafood is the standout- tamarind prawns or cashew-nut based coconut curry with prawns or garlic king crab, for instance; yellow chicken curry; kebabs; Indian breads BEST BUYS: Clothing (of course, saris and dhurries); handwoven fabrics and textiles; jewelry; brass and silverware; wood carvings; spices INFORMATION PLEASE: incredibleindia.org BEST TIME TO GO: FUN FACT: New Delhi vs. Delhi? Yes, there is a difference: Delhi is a Union Territory that has 11 districts, of which New Delhi is one; and New Delhi is the capital of Delhi, as well as India. Got that? Good, because a visit to this stunning destination-Delhi, New Delhi, historical Old Delhi and everything in-between-is going to blow your mind with its landmark Red Fortress, ancient ruins (keep in mind, however, that New Delhi itself was not constructed until 1911 and was inaugurated as a capital in 1931), and India's largest mosque, Jama Masjid. And visitors can get all around Delhi via the highly efficient metro system. SEE: Hopscotch through Old Delhi, visiting the aforementioned Jama Masjid mosque, built between 1644 and 1658; Humayun's Tomb, one of the several architectural influences on the Taj Mahal; and the Chatta Chowk covered bazaar with hundreds of stalls and bustling walkways. SAVOR: In New Delhi a sight not to miss is Swaminarayan Akshardham, a Hindu mandir and a spiritual-cultural campus. The complex displays millennia of traditional Hindu and Indian culture via water shows, a cultural boat ride that highlights 10,000 years of Indian history, and thematic gardens, among other exhibits. SIGNATURE EVENT: New Delhi's annual International Mango Festival, which will take place July 9-10 this year, celebrates India's national fruit with an array of mango-focused activities such as mango eating competitions, mango carving, mango folk performances, and lots of mango tastings. STAY: The 438-room ITC Maurya, a Luxury Collection Hotel, New Delhi, which offers 24 uniquely designed rooms, is located in the heart of the city's Diplomatic Enclave and surrounded by views of Delhi's green belt, the forested ridge. Pampered souls can opt for the Luxury Rooms, which feature fabulous decor, impeccable service, and topnotch amenities. Those same guests are going to want to head to Kaya Kalp, the Spa, offering an array of traditional Indian- and Western-style therapies. CRUISE: River cruise lines, such as Uniworld, offer river itineraries in India that include New Delhi as part of the land portion. An urban and sophisticated metropolis, Tel Aviv is Israel's second largest city and its capital of style and culture. While it sports miles of paths for hiking and biking, long stretches of beaches and seaside promenades connect the municipality to Jaffa, an ancient port city now colonized by art galleries, fish restaurants and a lively Flea Market. SEE: Tel Aviv boasts fine museums: the Tel Aviv Art Museum, the colorful Design Museum Holon and the Eretz Museum, whose eight pavilions span 1,000 years of Israeli life. Not to miss by day is following the Bauhaus Trail, highlighting the UNESCO-awarded largest concentration (more than 1,000 buildings) of Bauhaus architecture in the world. By night, head for the Suzanne Dellal Center for Dance and Theater complex. SAVOR: The "new" Tel-Aviv foodie scene includes starting with breakfast at Mantra Ray, a seafront institution positioned on a white-sand beach where Tel Aviv and Jaffa meet, or reserving a seat for sunset, and enjoying surprising and amazing mezze (appetizers), tapas and seafood. Switch to the more formal scene at Catit, located in an Ottoman house; under chef Meir Adoni, enjoy a superb fusion of French, Mediterranean and North African dishes. SIGNATURE EVENT: The Masada Opera Festival, featuring performances of "Samson et Dalila," takes place Sept. 15-17, 2016. STAY: Recently added to the Tel Aviv hotel scene is the Brown Beach House, the first high-end, boutique hotel on the city's waterfront. A member of the Design Hotels group, the property offers 40 spacious rooms and suites with private sun terraces, a trendy bar and a lavish spa. CRUISE: Many cruise lines that ply the Mediterranean offer scheduled stops in Israel at Haifa and Ashdod (for Jerusalem). FACTS Mid-March to June and October FUN FACT: A new way of getting around Tel Aviv: Tel-O-Fun, a convenient bike-sharing system with pick-up at one station, return at another GETTING THERE: Delta flies to Tel Aviv from New York (JFK) ENTRY DOCUMENTS: Valid passport LOCAL FOODS: From Middle Eastern mezze dishes to sensational seafood that includes shrimp and roasted calamari with chimichurri. BEST BUYS: Crafts; jewelry; Judaica; and because Tel Aviv is Israel's fashion capital, creative clothing and accessories INFORMATION PLEASE: goisrael.com BEST TIME TO GO: 49 ISRAEL Tel Aviv New Delhi INDIA FACTS http://www.incredibleindia.org http://www.goisrael.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of 2016 Europe, Middle East, and Africa Travel Guide

Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Holland
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Russia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom
Ghana
Kenya
Morocco
Nigeria
South Africa
Senegal
Tanzania
Egypt
India
Israel
Turkey
United Arab Emirates

2016 Europe, Middle East, and Africa Travel Guide