A bite of New Delhi
Experience the magic of Indian vibes
No country can be more fascinating, versatile and impressive than India. The stunning temples, beautiful palaces and magnificent forts are the absolute must-sees of a 5000 years old culture. Delhi is the lively capital of India and is divided into two parts: the Old Town (Old Delhi) and the 20th century city of Delhi. The streets in the Old Town are dominated by a chaos that makes you feel like beeing back in the medieval century. On the other side of town the modern live goes on on a overwhelming energy. New Delhi has over 11 million citizens and is therefore the second biggest city in India. Getting around in the city can look like a major hustle to first time visitors, but you will see it won´t be so bad once you have the taste of it.
A cab ride in New Delhi
A convenient and comfortable way to get around the city is by call taxi. Costs are about 10 – 20 rupees per km, with additional service fees in case you book a cab for the night (11pm-5am). Also you might have to calculate an extra amount in case you are booking by phone as compared to booking on their sites. Call taxis are not always available; especially in peak traffic hours. So it is better to book at least 2-3 hours in advance. Call taxis operate by meter. Most taxi drivers do not speak English and so to avoid misunderstandings, make sure you know a popular landmark near the place you wish to visit. Apart from taxi’s, there are also several private car rental companies in the city. Please be aware that Delhi is hard to drive in if you are not familiar with the city’s traffic.
New Delhi's spicy delights
The Indian cuisine is famous for its curries, but there is more. Delhi has good places to eat, from take away at the streetcorner to mouthwatering good (international) restaurants. One of the many examples is restaurant Bukhara. Opened in 1977, Bill Clinton, Vladimir Putin, and Arnold Schwarzenegger are said to have eaten here. The restaurant specializes in meat dishes including a marinated leg of lamb, although kebabs are more commonly ordered. Vegetarians are also well catered for. Bukhara has won several international awards.
Social interactions
Meeting and conference venues in New Delhi are mostly part of hotel facilities. When organizing a conference in New Delhi best thing to look out for is, therefore, a hotel with conference facilities. Depending on the volume of the hotel and the activity you need a conference room for, there are hotels that can host conferences for up to 500 visitors or more.
For groups from 300 to 600 visitors, you can look for The Lalit New Delhi, Taj Mahal Hotel or Imperial Hotel. For groups from <100 up to 300, have a look at The Park New Delhi, Metropolitan Hotel New Delhi or Maidens Hotel.
A luscious sleep
India has a wide range of lush and luxurious hotels. Among them is The Oberoi New Delhi, with its 24 hours butler-service and enormous patisserie and delicatessen. The Oberoi is part of one of India’s best known luxury hotels groups. The hotel is currently open but under renovation, planned for completion in 2014. The Oberoi New Delhi was the first five star hotel in India. The hotel’s international restaurants are popular. Situated just outside of the city centre, close to Humayun’s Tomb (a World Heritage Site), the Oberoi remains a New Delhi classic.
Another example, this time of colonial luxury, is the New Delhi’s Imperial Hotel. If your first moments in the lobby don’t do the trick, a trip to the 1911 bar is sure to. Opened in 1931, frequented by the rich and famous, including Hollywood starts and the former Queen of the Netherlands. Located in central New Delhi, the Imperial Hotel is worth a look.
Built in 1983 and renovated in 2011 The Taj Mahal hotel hosted the fourth annual BRICS summit in 2012. It is part of India’s Taj hotel group and is a favorite amongst Indian celebrities and politicians. Situated in the southern part of the city, the hotel is a popular location for meetings and conferences and even has an extra secure wing exclusively for its female guests.
