The bustling city of Agra is home to the marble mausoleum famous worldwide as the Taj Mahal. The tomb of Shahjahan's favourite wife Mumtaz, Taj Mahal, set on the south banks of the Yamuna river, has been long considered an architectural wonder of the world. Many tourists from across the globe trot to the magnificent city of Agra to gaze at the wondrous Taj and many other places of importance, making Agra one of the most visited tourist destinations in India and even across the globe.
History of the Taj
The designated UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983, The Taj Mahal was specially constructed in 1632 by the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan. Tomb to the of his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj is one the finest works of Mughal architecture. However, Agra offers its visitors much more than just a visit to the Taj, but also offers them an insight into its culture, and cuisine.
The issues faced by tourist in Agra –
With over 7-8 million visitors a year to the city, Agra's streets are chaotic and busy, with guides, hawkers, and abundant local and foreign tourists. This leaves many tourists overwhelmed by the constant mayhem, corruption and chaos that is faced in everyday activities, from booking Agra hotels to sightseeing.
Tourists are often taken aback by the sheer volume of people, busy markets, noise, hawkers and sweet-talking guides around the city. Moreover, sly pickpocketers and thieves are not a big surprise to the city.
Thing that can help avoid the above discomforts –
Here are simple yet effective tips to explore Agra stress-free,
1. Book an Agra Hotel in Advance
When visiting Agra it is best to be prepared. Booking the right hotel in Agra before stepping into the city can save one from the hassle of hopping around several accommodations or relying on cheating guides to find a hotel. The city offers travellers an array of hotels to choose based on their budget, needs and desires.
If budget is no criteria, one can avail 5 star hotels in Agra that are strategically located in close proximity to majestic Taj Mahal. Thus, one can visit the monument and even adorn its glorious views from the beautiful patios of the venue. Agra hotels must, however, only be booked after a thorough reviewing of their services from online forums and travel websites. One must book even the best hotels in Agra from the hotels own website to avail deals and freebies. One can even arrange free airport transfer upon direct booking.
By paying for bookings online one reduces the need to carry cash to the city as accommodation is the largest expense. One can pay with cards for all other expenses such as service, restaurants, shops.
The best hotels in Agra can be avail at competitive rates from the hotel's websites or travel desk, this makes guest eligible for special rates, package deals and freebies, even when booking the best hotels in Agra.
2. Registered Tour Guides:
One must avail well-vetted tour guides from wither the travel desks of their chosen Agra Hotel or through government forums that have fixed rates and prepaid options, this ensures safety and hassle-free site-seeing. The best hot five star hotels in Agra usually offer private tours and vehicles for exploration around the city at competitive rates.
Agra is a magical city that is worth a visit, owing to its rich history and cultural prevalence. However, one can make their trip far more enjoyable by pre-booking hotels and availing registered guides and tours, preferably from the chosen Agra hotel travel desk to explore 'the city of the Taj', hassle free.
Martin Wynn
