After our incredible trip to Jaipur part of the golden triangle route, we set off for the next stop on our journey: Agra! It took approximately 4 hours to drive to the city, and it was a wonderful opportunity to view the lesser-known areas of the country from the window of our private transfer. We broke up the journey and stopped for lunch at the Laxmi Vilas Palace in Bharatpur: a gorgeous hotel with traditional domed roofs, elegant archways and grand furnishings. The property provided an excellent backdrop for our lunch, and we even enjoyed great entertainment during the meal.
Fatehpur Sikri
Our first visit was to the remarkable Fatehpur Sikri, a historical city known for its incredible architecture and culture. Its name means ‘City of Victory’ and originally served as the capital of the Mughal Empire. Today, the site is a popular tourist destination and has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city showcases a blend of Indian, Persian and Islamic architecture and culture. Predominantly built using red sandstone, the main structures include: a grand gateway, a palace and the marble tomb of Sheikh Salim Chishti. It was wonderful to visit this fascinating site, which is rich in history and culture.
Taj Mahal
We then visited the infamous Taj Mahal, India’s most popular landmark. Wearing our fitted saaris from the Rajasthan Cottage Industries – which you can learn more about in our previous blog about our trip to Jaipur – we visited the beautiful Taj Mahal at sunrise. This was truly a once-in-a-lifetime yet breath-taking experience. The sunrise brought a gorgeous colourful backdrop to the monument, creating a calm and peaceful environment to walk about the grounds. It is also important to note that we did have VIP ticket entry, which allowed us to skip the queues and enjoy the monument stress-free.
The ivory white mausoleum includes the tomb of a Mughal emperor, which is housed within a 42-acre complex, with a grand mosque and picturesque gardens. The remarkable site was constructed in 1648 and is considered one of the seven wonders of the world. Regarded as “the jewel of Islamic art in India,” the site attracts more than 5 million visitors per year. The site is also home to around 500-700 rhesus macaques, who live in and around the Taj grounds. Whilst they are fascinating and entertaining to watch, it is advised not to make direct contact with them or carry food in opened bags near the entrance. The Taj Mahal is a necessity for corporate event groups wanting to experience a key part of Indian culture and history.
Luxury Hotel Visits
During our time in Agra, we had the pleasure of visiting some of the best hotels of the city. The ITC Mughal Resort & Spa – a Marriott Luxury Collection property with a stunning interior and many amenities – is surrounded by over 23 acres of luxurious gardens and offers 233 rooms and suites. The resort’s event spaces can accommodate anything from intimate meetings to large-scale conferences. Its banquet hall has a 14ft ceiling and a capacity of up to 500pax. The spa is gorgeous and the interior is a blend of modern elegance and the traditional Mughal style. A beautiful hotel that seamlessly blends both tradition and modern luxury.
Our next hotel visit was to the Oberoi Amarvilas Agra. Located only 600 metres from the Taj Mahal, this hotel is ideal for corporate event groups who want to visit the iconic monument. The property boasts 102 rooms and suites, which all have incredible views of the Taj Mahal. The Oberoi Amarvilas has a wealth of event spaces, including grandiose ballrooms and elegant meeting rooms. Both the exterior and interior of the hotel are gorgeous. Inspired by Mughal architecture of the 16th and 17th centuries, the building features characteristic grand pillars, archways and domed roofs.
At both 5-star luxury hotels, we were looked after by the warm and hospitable staff, who kindly facilitated our brief visit and viewing of the properties. Also, our DMC partner, Akbar Holidays were incredible at creating the perfect itinerary for our trip and hosting us in this beautiful country. Thank you to Nitheesh and John for organising this for us. For more information about Akbar Holidays and the services they offer: DMC for events in India – STAR Your World
Our next stop on our trip to India will be Delhi, the capital city of India. Our next blog about our visit to Delhi will be coming out soon.
To discover more about India, check out our blogs about our Trip to Mumbai, and our Trip to Jaipur!
By Hannah Taylor
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