To make the most of a trip to India, we recommend staying for the week. We'll be planning a pretty full itinerary for the week - all you have to do is show up! We'll even provide translators and shopping guides. All of the important details.

The sightseeing events will include a tour to some of India's finest monuments. A ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY!!! Unless you marry into Nina's family, in which case, you can do this every few years. (Neil Tandon is still single and available.)

There will be lots of fun side trips, but to give you an overall summary of what to expect, here's a rundown of the week as we currently see it.

Friday, December 16, 2005
Depart for India (see "how to get there" for more travel details)

Saturday, December 17, 2005
Erase this day from your calendar. Forever. You will be traveling the whole day.

At 10:15pm, Some guests will begin to arrive in Delhi via Air Canada through Toronto. Nina's mother and father will be there ahead of everyone to meet those arrivals at the airport & hotel in Delhi.

Sunday, December 18, 2005
Others will continue to arrive in Delhi until late Sat night (early Sunday am). After all the travel, we will have a chance to check into The Grand New Delhi hotel to sleep.

Sunday may provide for seeing some of Delhi, and visiting with Nina's family. Brush up on your Hindi now!

Wedding events will likely begin late Sunday afternoon. More details to come on all of these events.

Suggested Attire
Men: regular suit will be fine
Women: dress (any color) with a long skirt is fine. **But be sure this is something you won't mind getting dirty as the Mehendi ink is henna and can stain clothing.

Ceremonies are normally very colorful, so don't be bound to New York Style black on black.

If anyone wants to wear Indian attire to any of these or other events, let us know and we will tell you where to arrange for that in advance.

Monday, December 19, 2005
Sightseeing / shopping in Delhi in the morning and afternoon including Delhi Haat and Aunty Neera's secret shopping spots. Other spots might include Krishna Nagar, Emporiums, Pahar Gunj, Karol Bagh (yes there is a Pizza Hut, KFC and McDonalds there. Even Wimpys).

This, from the web: "Karol Bagh is the most sought after shopping desintation for every tourist in Delhi, due to its abundance in variety and affordable prices... For the gourmet, there are a variety of delicacies from reputed food joints like Pizza Hut, McDonalds and Subway."

We will try to steer clear of the delicacies unless anyone has a hankering for a Muttonburger.

Monday night is the Sangeet Sandhya (evening of music and dance)

Suggested Attire
Men: regular suit will be fine
Women: dress (any color) with a long skirt is fine.

Other things we will see in Delhi throughout the week: the Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Iron Pillar (It is said that before the protective fence was erected, you could encircle the pillar with your hands whilst standing with your back to it and have your wishes fulfilled), Jantar Mantar, Lakshmi Temple, the Lotus Temple, and the burial site holding the remains of Mahatma Gandhi.

Tuesday, December 20, 2005
More sightseeing / shopping in Delhi in the morning and afternoon.

Afternoon will be reception of Barat, wedding ceremony and cocktails and wedding reception. These events will run into the late evening and are formal.

Suggested Attire
Men: Nice suit
Women: Dress for an evening wedding including a long skirt. Marianne Tandon says "too much ain't enough."

Wednesday, December 21, 2005
All guests who are interested in joining us will depart on a tour of tour of the "golden triangle," which begins in Delhi and continues through Agra and Jaipur.

On this leg of the tour we will visit the Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal is a marble masterpiece in Agra which is regarded as one of the eight wonders of the world. Some Western historians have noted that its architectural beauty has never been surpassed. So exquisite is the workmanship that the Taj has been described as "having been designed by giants and finished by jewelers."

More information on Taj Mahal
> Tajmahal-india.net
> Agra tourism info

After our tour of the Taj Mahal, we'll continue on to Jaipur (The Pink City) and check into the Trident Hilton in Jaipur.

Sites with information on Jaipur
> Royalrajasthan.com / Jaipur the Pink City
> Ejaipurtourism.com
> Jaipur.indianvisit.com

Thursday, December 22, 2005
On our second day in Jaipur, we will visit the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), City Palace, and elephant rides up to the Amber Fort Palace. That evening we will also watch a show of the dancers at the Rambagh Palace. Thereafter, we will travel back to Delhi at night to stay back at the Grand New Delhi for one more night.

Friday, December 23, 2005
Last chance for shopping, then transport back to the airport for the trip home. Most will depart Friday night. Air Canada flight departs at midnight.

Saturday, December 24, 2005
Arrive home, recover and unpack all the shopping receipts!