Dusty, hot and wonderful – New Delhi is quite a thrilling capital city, if you let it be.

You can talk about the traffic, the poverty, and the disorder, but try to look past the obvious and take in the sights, the eats, and treats.

New Delhi is a real pleaser – but you do have to be open to it.

So if you're ready to give yourself over to a host of new experiences, sample the wonders of Delhi.

TIPS

* Always have your documents and travel itinerary ready for the airport. Security won't allow you into the country or an airport terminal without your passport and proof of travel plans (like an e-ticket or boarding pass). And the only people who we found a little rough in India were security officials, so be nice and polite to them.

* A great way to see Delhi is to hire a cab for the day. The hotel will offer you their service, but it’s more expensive. Ask the front desk to call a local cab company and arrange a good deal for you.

* Even if you avoid unpurified ice and foods washed in unfiltered water, your belly could get upset. Don't let this slow you down. Just remember to talk with your doctor to plan ahead for this possibility And, as an all-around travel reminder, carry a packet of tissues with you. It's always better to be safe than sorry.

* If you like reading printed newspapers, ask for one at your hotel. It might just be us -- and it probably is -- but when we toured the city we found magazines, but no newspapers.

* Once you go into the Delhi international airport terminal, it can be very difficult to go back outside. During our visit, there was a regulation in place that’s kinda, sorta like the song "Hotel California" -- where you can enter but "you can never leave."

In our case, we flew back from Udaipur and had eight hours to knock-about before our flight to London. All we wanted to do was to enter the international terminal, drop off our bags with British Airways and then leave to go to our favorite restaurant in Delhi for one last scrummy Indian meal. But . . . we got to the terminal very early, the BA desk wasn’t open, and we were stuck inside the terminal for four hours before finding an airline representative to walk us past the guards. Those four hours were torture -- with no help from the help desk. Luckily . . .

* A great thing about the airport is that several hotels -- such as the Hilton, Eros and Lalit -- all have airport representatives to help make your transit easier. If you’re about to be late to your flight or you’re having trouble navigating the airport, try to find one of these helpful on-site concierges.



FAVORITE NEIGBORHOODS

We spent a lot of time in Central and Old Delhi, but South Delhi gets raves, too. Check with your hotel concierge for maps and suggestions.

FAVORITE ACCOMODATIONS

Trident Gurgaon - Click here for a Wonder Shuffle card.

The Imperial - Click here for a Wonder Shuffle card.

OTHER ACCOMMODATIONS

Sheraton New Delhi – Affordable digs for a night’s stay plus airline staffers rest up here, so you know it’s not the worst. International fare at the lobby restaurant is C-grade, but the concierge staff is top-notch (Official Site).

FAVORITE BAR/RESTAURANT

Cilantro - Click here for a Wonder Shuffle card.

OTHER RESTAURANTS

Karim’s – Old Delhi yumminess in a simple setting with meh service. One of New Delhi's most famous spots, opened since 1913. (Jama Masjid, Gali Kababian, +91 11 23269880/ 23264981)

Bukhara – Acclaimed tandoori restaurant at the ITC Maurya hotel. It's a world's best. Lines do form - so make a reservation. (Official Site, Diplomatic Enclave, Sardar Patel Marg,+91 11 26112233)

McDonald’s – We know, a funny choice. But it’s a good way to assimilate to a culture that treasures the cow. There are no hamburgers here at this franchise. Try chicken or paneer cheese patties instead. (Radial Road 4, B Block, Connaught Place, +91 11 66000666)

SIGHTSEEING SUGGESTIONS

India Gate monument/Parliament buildings; Old Delhi’s manic streets; the Connaught Place mall; Humayun’s Tomb; the Red Fort; and anywhere outside during the red-hued sunsets.

And definitely save time for browsing the merchandise at:

* The State Emporia Complex - Click here for a Wonder Shuffle card; and

*Oogan - Click here for this Wonder Shuffle card.

***

Bon voyage! We hope you enjoy Delhi as much as we do.

LEAD-IN IMAGE

Image by Shalender Kumar from Pixabay