Discover Agra: Not Just the Taj Mahal

Duration: two days to enjoy it fully

Itinerary: about 80 kilometers in total

Equipment: a poncho for sudden rain showers and a heavy jacket for the late afternoon

The Taj Mahal, the mausoleum built in 1632 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved late wife, is probably the most famous and celebrated Indian monument in the world. White, shining, with breathtaking details, it attracts millions of visitors every year to the city of Agra. Nevertheless, in its proximity, there are two other wonders, both UNESCO World Heritage sites: the magnificent Agra Fort and the majestic Fatehpur Sikri. So get ready and hop on your Vespa; you are about to satisfy all your cultural and gastronomic curiosities.

Wake up early in the morning and have a hearty breakfast; a walk in the chaat gali ("the snack street") of the Sadar Bazaar Market is what you need to start with the right amount of energy. Try a hot chai (spiced tea), paired with hot samosas or a besan ka cheela, a sort of pancake made from chickpea flour. There really is something for everyone, even for those who prefer a sweeter breakfast. One of the local specialties is the petha, a pumpkin-based candy to be enjoyed at Panchhi Petha. With a full belly and a smile, you will be good to go.

An hour-long trip away from the city is Fatehpur Sikri, one of the most important examples of Mughal architecture, and a gem of style and beauty. This fortress was built in 1569 by the Emperor Akbar, after consulting with the Sufi Saint Salim Shalikh Chishti, looking for good wishes to have sons. The city was the capital of the Empire from 1571 to 1585, before the Royal family moved to Lahore and finally to Agra. This immense Palace was inhabited for only a few months. The reason? Water was scarce, and the location made it easy for enemy attacks; therefore, it was promptly abandoned shortly after its completion. That’s the reason why it has survived almost intact.

The early hours will give you the enchantment of sharing this beautiful palace with only a few other visitors. Extensively decorated, it is a complex and curious structure where it is nice to get lost in, wandering in the rooms and large courtyards. What can you eat in this area? The cuisine of Fatehpur Sikri is based on the ancient Mughal dynasty and it is curiously rich in meat – lots of kebabs, mutton skewers and chicken tandoori – despite the fact that more than 30% of India's population is vegetarian. Restaurants are not plentiful, so it's worth discovering the best street food.

Go back to Agra, and head toward the Red Fort, an enormous architectural masterpiece in a deep red colour, which accents truly amazing views at sunset. This 400,000-square-meter gigantic fortified citadel is a little world that includes architectural masterpieces mixed with mystery. It was built by the Lodi dynasty who were later replaced by the Mughals. With the excuse of renewing the fort, the Mughals covered every corner in red sandstone, thus erasing every trace of the history of their predecessors. A clear political choice.

Upon getting there on your Vespa, it would be great to cross one of the famous gates that surround the entrances, but unfortunately it is forbidden. Park nearby and continue on foot. Among the gates, the most fascinating is probably the Delhi – the private gate once used by the King – which besides being finely decorated, is supervised internally by two life-size stone elephant statues. Presently, however, it is closed, because the Lahore gate is used as an entrance for tourists.

The Fort has several structures inside that recreate a small world: don't miss the Khas Mahal also known as Aramgah-i-Muqaddar – a private mansion built by Shah Jahan for his daughters Roshanara and Jahanara, finely decorated in gold with floral patterns – and the Sheesh Mahal, the "glass palace", which served as the royal dressing room, adorned with tiny glass mosaic elements similar to mirrors. Among these amazing details, curious squares and towering mosques, don't forget that a short distance away is the famous Taj Mahal. Go and visit it the next day and take all the ritual pictures after a dinner at the Peshawri restaurant with fine local specialties (cooked in the traditional Tandoori oven)...  And finally, a well-deserved night’s rest awaits you.