Travel Do's and Don'ts: Tokyo and Delhi, India

Delhi, India

DO: Go shopping. India is home to some of the most beautiful jewelry and women's clothing in the world. Saris are striking with their bold colors, contrasting designs and bead work, plus the shape of the dress is forgiving of curves. Salwar Kameezes (long tops with matching pants) are comfortable and equally colorful. For high-end shopping, try the Santushti Shopping Complex. Anokhi and FabIndia has several branches around the city and offers lovely ready-to-wear garments.

DO: Walk in Lodhi Gardens. The highlights of this beautiful park are the historic 15th century buildings, including the tomb of Mohammad Shah. A walking path around the gardens, with palm trees and annuals such as coreopsis, is usually full of walkers early in the morning and at dusk.

Related

Silent Punishment for Japan's Gays/Lesbians

Double Trouble? India's Mysterious Twin Village

WATCH: Yoga and You

DO: Check out Old Delhi for some tasty street food. Kanwarji's, or the King of Sweets, has been around since 1830. Desserts in India are extremely sweet, almost impossibly sweet for those new to the taste. Barfi, which is made of condensed milk and sugar, is a great option because the silver-leaf wrapped squares are not nearly as sweet as some of the decadently flavor treats such as Nagauri-Halwa (puris stuffed with fudge). Do be prepared for large crowds, and women should be mindful in this area of men's roving hands.

DO: Take a ride in an auto rickshaw. Nothing makes you feel like you're in India more than riding around cities or villages in these windowless three-wheelers with the wind (and dust) in your face. Look left and right and you'll see everything on the roads from cows to buses to motorbikes, complete with beautiful women on the back, their colorful scarves flowing behind them.

DO: Take a yoga class. India is known as the birthplace of yoga and most neighborhoods offer at least one yoga center for their residents. Sivananda Yoga in Kailash Colony offers a free trial-class on Sunday afternoons.

Jai Ho! . . . 'Be Victorious' When Traveling

DO NOT: Rent a car. Delhi is a difficult city to navigate (signs are not always helpful and the seemingly endless amount of rotaries and round-abouts can be confusing). Traffic is heavy in Delhi, even when it's not rush hour. Hire a driver or a taxi for the day. Be sure to offer the driver a nearby landmark; drivers may not know a specific street, but if you explain that it is near a temple, police station or park, it will be easier to find.

DO NOT: Forget to bring a camera. Sounds obvious (you're on vacation, after all) but there is probably nowhere else in the world where you can capture such vibrant colors and scenery coupled with disparities of wealth and all-around amazing photo opportunities.

DO NOT: Underestimate the potential for language barriers. Although many people speak English, the accent can be quite thick and difficult to understand at times. Keep this in mind and allow yourself extra time so you do not become frustrated with an inability to communicate. Memorize a few Hindi words before you arrive.

DO NOT: Travel without an umbrella during Monsoon (June to September in most parts of the country). Be prepared for extreme downpours and the occasional flooding.

DO NOT: Miss a big Bollywood film at one of the city's many new megaplexes. Bollywood films usually run about three hours, but there is always a short intermission. The movies are usually in Hindi with no subtitles, but even without a translator, it's easy to follow the love stories, plus the dance sequences and spectacular costumes are worth the (small) price of admission.

Noriko Namiki and Karen Russo contributed to this story.