Agra

A two-night stay is sufficient to see the principal sights of Agra Fort and the incomparable Taj Mahal. The rest of the nondescript and polluted city is worth a pass. Ask your concierge to engage a reliable guide and to suggest the best time to avoid the crowds at the Taj Mahal. Built by a 17th-century emperor in tribute to his wife, who died during childbirth, the perfectly balanced monument actually exceeds expectations. It is not until you are up close that you discover it is exquisitely inlaid with a host of semiprecious stones. Note: The Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays.