Agra, India
Agra was the capital of the great Mughal Empire and is home of the Taj Mahal, considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. This architectural gem was built as a mausoleum by the Emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved queen, Empress Mumtaz Mahal who died giving birth to his 14th child. The "Dream in Marble" is remarkable for its perfect balance and proportions. Another highlight in Agra is a visit to nearby Fatehpur Sikri, a grand city built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar, and later abandoned.

Chennai (Madras), India
This thriving port on the Bay of Bengal provides the perfect introduction to the wonders of southern India. Magnificent Dravidian temples compete with monuments from the British colonial past, including the Chepauk Palace and the High Court buildings. Chennai is also a thriving university and cultural center, as well as a leader in Indian film-making.

Cochin, India
The lush Kerala region is the proverbial land of incense and myrrh, from which the world has sought its exotic spices since ancient times. The aromas of ginger, cloves, cardamom, cumin and other key ingredients of Indian curries fill the air. Not far from Mattancheri Palace, with its mythological murals, is a Jewish colony dating back to 1000 A.D. Don't miss the 16th century synagogue with hand-painted floor tiles from China. A visit to the St. Francis church reveals the tomb of the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama. Guests may also tour the "Mattancheri" or Dutch Palace, which houses some of India's finest Hindu frescoes and ceremonial costumes.

Delhi, India
The juxtaposition of ancient and modern worlds is perhaps nowhere more evident than in Delhi, a city of 11 million. In the city's old part, visit the dome-topped mausoleum of Emperor Humayun and the imposing Red Fort built for emperors. Though the solid gold ceiling and precious gems of its Peacock Throne were looted by Persians in the 18th century, the immense palace resonates with the glory and wealth of the Mughal Dynasty.

Goa, India
A fascinating blend of India and the West, the mythical kingdom of Goa was conquered in 1510 by the Portuguese, who held it until it joined India in 1962. The Portuguese influence is still clear in the names and Christian faith of the locals, and in Renaissance monuments like the Cathedral, the Basilica Bom Jesu, and the convent of St. Francis, a converted mosque.

Mumbai (Bombay), India
Few cities evoke such a wealth of sensations as Bombay. Entering the city under the Gateway of India, which commemorates the visit of King George and Queen Mary in 1911, the sounds and aromas are exotic and the level of activity from the bazaars to the street vendors is non-stop. Remnants of British rule along oceanfront Marine Drive stand alongside the thought-provoking former home of Mahatma Gandhi, and the cave temple at Elephanta with its second-century Hindu gods. Bombay also serves as the gateway for land tours to Agra, home of the Taj Mahal, and Delhi, the historical center of India.

Male, Maldives
The Maldives are the vision of a castaway paradise with a garland of 2,000 coral atolls crowned with coco palms floating in the Indian Ocean. Their houses are built from blocks cut from the surrounding coral. Taste the golden coconut candy that is their passion, snorkel in the clear waters, see an astounding variety of fish, or soar by helicopter to a nearby isle.

Colombo, Sri Lanka
Formerly known as Ceylon, Sri Lanka means "Resplendent Land," an apt description for this beautiful island. Sri Lanka lies fifty-five miles north of the equator, just off the southern tip of India. With its unique beauty, warm climate and near-perfect beaches, Sri Lanka is one of Asia's most adored destinations. Since the sixteenth century, the Portuguese, Dutch and British have all left their architectural and cultural marks in Sri Lanka's capital of Colombo. Yet despite its colonial architecture, Sri Lanka has always remained Oriental in spirit, with colorful bazaars, dancing elephants, graceful women in saris, and many Buddhist shrines and temples.