BIDAR:

This quiet Deccan outpost was once the centre of power for the bahamani and barid shahi dynasties. Emerging from the stark, red-laterite landscape and its ancient structures are in surprisingly good shape. There's 15th-century manhood gawan madrasa, its Persian tiles reminiscent of the former glories of this once-esteemed school of Islamic learning and the sola khamba mosque. Stunning views and more ornamental period detail are found in the palaces of the imposing bider fort. And don' miss the intricate work at the old city's still-thriving bidri store. Bidar is 136km form Hyderabad and can be reached by car or train. Accommodation is limited, so take a day trip.

 

LADAKH MONASTERIES:

Visiting ladakh's gompas is a befitting way to absorb the region's extraordinary landscape.leh is the jump-off point, from which you can south to hemis, thiksey and shey, or northwest to alchi, lamayuru, rizong, likir and basgo. Don't miss the charming basgo gompa-perched precariously atop a dramatic, crumbing mountain-or the 11th-century choskor monastry at alchi, known for its exquisite Tibetan art. Other highlights include the 400-year-old frescoes at hemis, and a 40-fet high Buddha at shey. If you'd like to stay in alchi, your options include the summer camp alchi and alchi resort.

TAMIL NADU TEMPLE TOUR:

The splendors of Tamil nadu are many but among the most glorious trips you can make is a circuit of outs cholaera temple. Prolific temple-builders, monuments to the chola kings' piety are scattered around the state. One gratifying circuit gose like this: Chidambaram-kumbakonam-dharasuram-gangaikondacholapuram-thanjavur. In Chidambaram stay at hotly saradharam. Kumbakonam can be your base for visits to dharasuram, g'puram and thanjavur; stay at the heritage paradise resort.

 

AURANGABAD CIRCUIT:

A fortuitous cluster of unrelated gems, Arangabad, daulatabad, Ajanta and ellora comprise a weekend circuit. Aurangabad serves as a base and has its own historic treats-the aurangabad caves and bidi ka maqbara. Jush 14km away, daulatabad's spectacular fort broods atop 650-ft hill, the well-preserved jama masjid mosque at its base. The town of khuldabad is known for Arranger's tomb, but is eclipsed by the sheer magnificence of the Jain, Hindu and Buddhist rock caves at nearby ellora. And the lush, ancient cave paintings at Ajanta are only 104km away. The smart lemon tree Abramabad is a good stay option.

HARITAGE HOTELS, HIMACHAL:

The himachali royals reinvented themselves as hoteliers and forever redfined summer in the hills. The taragarh palace in kangra, a European-style summer residence surrounded by lush tea estates, is a treat. In shimla, the charming and eccentric period relics at chapslee will transport you back to the raj.and in the mediaeval hamlet of pragpur, another gem: the lovingly restored judge's count. Taragarh palace; chapslee; judge's court.

 

KISHANGARH:

Finding slice of Rajasthan that isn't overrun by tourists is rare, but kishangarh nicely fits the bill. The restored heritage hotel, phool mahal palace, was built under British rule and structurally enhanced by successive kings. Other highlights include kishangarh fort, mokham vilas and the charming old town, but the city is best known for its tradition of miniature paintings. Thousands of artists live here, so check out the miniature painting showrooms, commission a pointing on your surface of choice, and don't miss the originals in the place's stay at the phool mahal palace.

BUDDHIST CIRCUIT:

India's especially Bihar's Buddhist circuit was created by Japanese pilgrims. It all atarted in bodhgaya, where the Buddha attained enlightenment under the bodhi tree, and this is where you too should go first. A lovely temple stands here still. Start your trip in Patna, erstwhile glorious pataliputra. Stay a night or several in bodhgaya.head back to Patna, and use it as your base to visit the ruins the ruins of nalanda university; rajgir; and vaishali. Futher afield, explore sanchi in Madhya Pradesh and sarnath in uttar Pradesh. In bodhagaya, stay at lotus Nikko or hotel tathagat international.

 

JAISALMER:

A city that truly lives up to its reputation, jaisalmer offers the complete Rajasthan-heritage package: fort, temples, lake, beauty. The fort, a site unto itself, is also home to seven important jaintemple that date to the 15th and 16th centuries-it's worth setting aside a morning to study the complex geometry and effusive ornamentation of these lovely monuments. Of special note is the well-run jaisalmer fort palace museum and heritage centre. Around the city, check out Gadsisar Lake, the folklore museum and the bada bada chhatris. Stay at garh jaisal.

HAMPI:

The mediaeval capital of the Vijayanagar Empire is a stunning, surreal andscape. In the early 19th centry, historians rediscovred a ruined city as for as the eye could see: temple, markets, pavilions and barth.declared a world heritage site in 1986, hampi has 56 ASI monuments in the core area alone. The website www.hampi.in is a good resource. A modest stay option is the family-run mowgli Guesthouse.

 

BISHNUPUR:

The 17th-century conversion go the malla rules of bishnupur to vaishnavism was a turning point in its history. The city became a major centre of religion, and was adorned with tanks, gateways, gardens-and temple. Crafted in loca; laterite and brick, the uniqueness of these structures lies in their facades of terracotta tiles. Notable temple include the jor bangle and the rasmancha. Bishupur is a 5hr drive from kolkata. Stay at west Bengal tourism's tourist lodge.

 

AGRA:

There's good reason that Agra remains a perennial favorite with touristst, but it may surprise you to discover that there's much more to the city than its celebrated monuments. Agra's lesser-known mosques, tombs and houses testify to a continuing history beyond the mughal era: the dargah of shah alauddin mujzub, the houses of the old city, Akbar's church and the Roman Catholic cemetery in civil lines. Stay at hotel sheela. Full story on.

VOHRAWADS:

The term'composite culture'truly defines the spirit of the fascinating bohra houses in the Gujarati towns of kapadvanj and sidhpur. These gated enclaves of the Muslim community of bohras, known as overawes, are fine examples of traditional architecture rooted in a regional landscape. A bohra house combines the Gujarati tradition of exquisite facades of intricate wood detailing with a certain European classicism and the traditional requirements of an Islamic dwelling. The nearest air post is at Ahmedabad, which is 70km from kapadvanj and 130km from sidhpur.The best option is to stay at Ahmedabad and make day trips to the towns.

 

BELUR-HALEBIDU:

The district of Hassan in Karnataka might just be most famous for being the heritage sites of belur and halebidu.Magnificent halebidu was the 12th-century capital of the hoys alas. Just 16km away lies belur, the earlier capital. People argue heatedly over which is more triking. The channakesava temple at belur has a fantastic interior, with every pillar uniquely carved. But the delicate external carvings at halebidu give it a special edge. Stay in Hassan, at the hotel Hassan ashhok.