After finishing up a two-week adventure through Vietnam, I did not fly straight home to Vancouver. I took a detour to New Delhi for a 12-day work trip.
While this was not officially part of my 50th birthday solo trip, having the opportunity to meet my remote team in person and explore India was an incredible bonus. Traveling for work provides a unique chance to see parts of the world you might not otherwise visit.
If you find yourself heading to Delhi or Noida for business, you do not have to spend all your time in a boardroom. Here is how I maximized my free time to see the Taj Mahal, eat authentic local food, and go on a tiger safari.
Arrival and Exploring Delhi
When I landed in Delhi, a few of my team members were waiting at the airport to greet me. We drove straight to Noida, where I checked into the Radisson Blu MBD Hotel. It is a fantastic, comfortable base for business travelers in the area.
Since I arrived at the start of the weekend, I had a couple of days to dive into the local culture before heading into the office. I spent my time exploring massive historical sights like the Red Fort, Qutub Minar, and India Gate.
- The Food: You cannot visit India without indulging in the culinary scene. I tried authentic Indian Dosas for the first time, and they were absolutely incredible.
- Good Journey Tip: If you have limited free time, booking a private Full-Day Old and New Delhi City Tour is the best way to see all these major sights efficiently!
The Work Week in Noida
On Monday, I made it into the Noida office. I spent the week collaborating with the team I have worked with for years. Meeting them in person was a very special experience. They were incredibly friendly and welcoming, which gave me an even deeper appreciation for the local culture.
The Weekend Escape: Agra and The Taj Mahal
Once we wrapped up our time at work, my team and I rented a van for a few days of exploring outside the city.
Our first stop was Agra to visit the world-famous Taj Mahal. Seeing this architectural masterpiece in person completely exceeds all expectations. It is a bucket-list destination you simply cannot skip if you are anywhere near the Delhi area.
- Book Your Visit: You can book a highly-rated Sunrise Taj Mahal Tour from Delhi here.
Into the Wild: Ranthambore National Park
After visiting the Taj Mahal, we continued our drive to our final accommodation. We stayed at the Aashiyana Luxury Cottages, which is located just one kilometer from the prime zones of Ranthambore National Park.
The next morning, we headed into the national park for a tiger safari. We were lucky enough to spot one tiger from a distance! The following day, we explored Ranthambore Fort. It is a very cool, historic place to visit and is packed with mischievous local monkeys.
4 Things That Surprised Me About India
Traveling through India is a completely unique sensory experience. Here are a few things that stood out to me during my visit:
- The Celebrity Treatment: I frequently felt like a celebrity. People constantly wanted to take a picture with me, even though they had absolutely no idea who I was!
- Airport-Level Security: There is intense security everywhere you go. You have to pass through airport-style security screenings just to get into your hotel or a local shopping mall.
- Sacred Cows: There are cows everywhere. Because they are sacred, they have complete free roam of the city. They do whatever they please, including laying right down in the middle of a busy street.
- The Traffic: Just like the rest of Asia, you have to be very brave to drive here. There do not appear to be any real traffic rules like we are used to in North America.
Heading Home
The next day, I boarded my Cathay Pacific flight and headed home to Vancouver. Between the 50th birthday solo adventures across Japan, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, and this final work trip in India, I had been away for five weeks.
It was the longest I had ever been away from my home and my family, but it truly was the trip of a lifetime.
Have you ever added a vacation onto a work trip? Head over to our Facebook page and let us know your best “bleisure” travel tips!
