KOLKATA
Following breakfast on board your Pandaw ship, disembark and transfer to the meeting hotel where your river cruise adventure ends. Sbagata and welcome to Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal. Experience Indian life at full pace in this colourful and cultural city, perhaps India’s most soulful city and certainly the most over looked. During the British Raj, Calcutta as it was known, was the Jewel of the East and the capital until 1911. Discover Tagore, India’s greatest poet, Victorian buildings, an ancient potters village and sample some of the city’s best food.
If your room is available, check-in and freshen up before travelling to North Calcutta. Passing several universities and academic institutions stop off at the Marble Palace one of the more unusal Bengali mansions of this area. Built by a wealthy Bengali merchant, Raja Rajendra Mullick, in 1835, still today some family members reside here. With a Neoclassical style, this fascinating and ornate home, houses an eclectic mix of statues, porcelain, Belgian glass chandeliers and English, Dutch and Italian paintings.
Continue on to the home of the multi-talented poet, novelist, musician, painter and playwright, the famous Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore. His grandfather Dwarkanath Tagore built this grand mansion in the 18th century, and the museum showcases the life of the family in 19th century, and their involvement in the Bengali Renaissance.
Head into the artisan hub of Kumartuli or the Potters’ Market. Wander the winding lanes and watch as idols of Hindu gods and goddesses are created out of river clay, bamboo and straw before being painted and elaborately dressed for the city’s numerous festivals.
Return to your hotel where the afternoon is at leisure. You may choose to step out to explore the lively atmosphere of New Market with its many vendors and shops; visit CIMA, the Centre for International Modern Art and admire the latest exhibition or take High Tea at Flurry’s, an old Calcutta institution on Park Street.
Meals: none
Accommodation: The Lalit Great Eastern Hotel / Premier Room