With the pandemic still on us, travelling to a foreign country is a distant dream. But if you happen to be a Delhiite, there are places around your city that can give you that wonderful feeling of being in a foreign country. What’s more, these pretty destinations are super Insta-worthy, where you can get some mind-boggling pictures clicked for your social media feed. Here is a list of 6 such places that will help you go on an international tour without leaving Delhi NCR. Read on!
1. The Lotus Temple, Kalkaji
Is Sydney’s opera house on your bucket list? Why not visit its lookalike in India, the Lotus Temple instead? The flower-like temple is one of the major attractions in the city. The structure comprises 27 free-standing marble petals arranged in groups of three to form nine sides. It is essentially a Baha’s House of Worship and is open to all. On that note, here are 7 facts about the Lotus Temple you probably didn’t know.
2. Culture Gully, Kingdom Of Dreams, Gurgaon
The Kingdom of Dreams (KOD) in Gurgaon is indeed a dream-like destination, thanks to its majestic ambience and theatrical decor. It is India’s first live entertainment, theatre and leisure destination that made its mark in India in 2010. It is designed on a grand scale, weaved around a magical world that fascinates people of all age groups. Culture Gully at KOD is an ‘indoor street of India’ which has a captivating aura of its own. It’s a kaleidoscope of India’s unique cultural diversity where there is a lot to witness like 14 state pavilions, live art and crafts village, ethnic jewellery and home decor stores and themed restaurants.
At Culture Gully, you will feel like being transported to a royal era rich in art and culture. The paths, the magnificent wall paintings, the pompous lights, everything about the place is profoundly enchanting. It will leave behind the beauty of popular foreign lanes like London’s Leadenhall Market.
3. Champa Gali, Saket
Champa Gali near South Delhi’s Saket is a cutesy haunt in the Capital with a line-up of cosy cafes and handicraft stores. Designed in Parisian style, the place looks prettier at night when the fairy lights are lit above the pebble-covered path. JugMug Thela is the most sought after cafe here, known for its exotic tea varients. It has a beautiful seating right across the counter to relish the masala chai. Champa Gali also has a fashion store, known as the Liberty Village, that sells high-on-trend apparels at throwaway prices.
You might often spot foreigners here (especially those looking like painters, singers, etc). It is a go-to spot for fashion photographers too. Apart from these, the cafes here also host mind-boggling comedy nights and live music shows to keep the visitors entertained.
Also Read: Best French Restaurants In Delhi That Will Make You Rethink Your Parisian Vacation!
4. Waste To Wonder Theme Park, Sarai Kale Khan
This place will take you to six renowned international destinations at one go. The unique aspect about this place is that it has replicas of seven popular structures of the world carved out of industrial and other wastes. At Waste To Wonder, you can visit Egypt’s Great Pyramid of Giza, Rome’s The Colosseum, Brazil’s Rio Redeemer, New York’s The Statue of Liberty, Italy’s Pisa and Paris’s Eiffel Tower. The park also has its own version of Agra’s Taj Mahal.
Also Read: All The Seven Wonders At Waste To Wonder Park, Delhi!
5. The Grand Venice Mall, Noida
The name of the place speaks for itself. It is one of the most picturesque malls in India with Italian-themed opulent decor, that will partially fulfil your dream of being at Venice. Like Venice, you can have a boat-ride here on the clear blue waterway flanked by shops and eateries built in Avante-Garde European style. More so, the place can also remind you about the insides of the Venetian in Macao. The Grand Venice Mall is also the largest mall in Greater Noida.
6. Connaught Place
This is one of the most famous shopping complexes in central Delhi, with stores of some of the biggest brands. It is also one of the best places in Delhi for street shopping. And it houses a long list of cafes, pubs and restaurants. The design of the central plaza is in the collonaded Georgian-style and the place is named after Prince Arthur, the 1st Duke of Connaught.
Also Read: Forget Paris’s Arc De Triomphe! Have You Seen Delhi’s India Gate?
So, even if you’re not a resident of Delhi, the next time you visit the city, don’t forget to check out these marvellous destinations. Meanwhile, here are 15 splendid international travel experiences in India: