On my recent trip to India, we took a day trip down to Agra from Delhi renting a car and driver for under $100. It was my first time visiting Agra in over 10 years and it’s always a breath-taking experience. To see the Taj Mahal up close is truly an incredible experience that leaves you in awe at the skilled craftsmanship of these 17th century builders and architects. Makes you wonder if we can even reproduce something like this with all the technological and scientific progress in the past 400 years.

The one thing that has changed since I last visited is the sheer number of people that come visit this city. Thousands of tourists from around the world and the country seemed to have flocked to the city the day we were there. Perhaps being a Saturday and a couple days before Holi might have explained the large number of Indian tourists. I was also very shocked and dismayed by the dirty, crowded streets leading up to the Taj – street peddlars and store clerks harassing you, anorexically thin camels and horses used to transport tourists to the entrance gates and the smell of camel and horse feces that permeates the air.

Ignoring this rather unwelcoming aspect, a visit to Agra is an absolute must for anyone visiting North India and will leave you spell bounded at the culture, history and architecture of the city.

9AM: Sikander Fort

Built in the early 17th century, this is also known as the Tomb of Akbar the Great, where the great Mughal king was buried. It’s architecture is typical of the tombs built during this period with an elaborate gateway leading into a long wide path up to the monument. Built with marble and sandstones (rocks common at this time) it is amazing in its intricacy and detail – form the minute carvings on pillars and walls to the macroscopic symmetry and beauty of the entire structure.

11AM: Taj Mahal

There isn’t much to add to this man made wonder as words and pictures can’t describe the how breath taking this monument is. Built in nothing but snow white marble, this awesome structure stands out as the jewel of architecture during the Mughal period. The microscopic and macroscopic beauty is astounding and to think that this was built more around 400 years ago with none of the tools, machines and technology available today. To quote a witty T-shirt found all over India: “Via Agra – Man’s greatest erection for a woman”.

3PM: Red Fort

This massive fort, originally the built by the Rajputs in the 11th century, was made the capital of the Mughal Empire by Akbar during the 16th century. You can spend an entire day walking through the various “wings” of this fort in awe of the architecture and layout. It has been well preserved by the Indian government and provides a beautiful glimpse into life during these golden years of India.