Lucknow

Lucknow Known as both the “Golden City of the East” and the “Constantinople of India”, Lucknow is a charming metropolis situated in the heart of the great Gangetic Plain and surrounded by rural towns and villages. The capital city of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow shows more evidence of the influence of the British Raj than most cities its size. Home of the Nawabs of the Awudh, this region has excelled in culinary excellence which it retains to this day.

The Residency: Witness the site of the 1857 Siege of Lucknow, a 147 day battle believed to be the first step in the end of British colonial rule. Built in 1800 to serve as the residence for the British Resident General, the compound has been maintained as it was at the time of the final battle. The walls of the ruined buildings are still scarred by bullet holes and cannon shot.

Bara Imambara:  One of the most colossal buildings in the city, this grand structure is the enormous tomb of Asaf-ud-Daula. In addition to its vast interior burial chamber, the space above is a three-dimensional labyrinth with passages interconnecting with each other through 489 identical doorways; it is the only existing maze of its type in India. All visitors are well advised to bring a flashlight with new batteries, lest they risk not returning in a timely manner.