Rudyard Kipling described Mumbai as ‘the Mother of Cities’ and the city’s history is the story of an incredible transformation from its foundation to the present day. It was built expressly for trade by the British and, over the years, it changed hands from the fishing village of the Kolis, through the Portuguese conquest, to the Portuguese Infanta Catherine Braganza who took the seven islands of Mumbai as her dowry to Charles II of England. Mumbai was, and still is, the Gateway of India and a grand archway of that name was built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary in 1911.
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Tailor-made tours and holidays in Mumbai (Bombay)
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My favourite place in Sri Lanka, Kandy
My guidebook states that Kandy is ‘the most beautiful city in the world’, and I’m inclined to agree. On my second visit, it was as enchanting as ever.
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For dazzling colour and contrasts, where better to go than India? Here, streets are full of the chorus of life, the clatter of steaming chaiwallahs and the sizzle of tawas laden with food.
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Step into the ‘Land of the Thunder Dragon’ and explore the best tourist places in Bhutan.
Easy hikes... in the Himalaya
Where better to go hiking than in the Himalaya? There is no better way to experience a country than on foot.
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