Anita Rani: return to India

Presenter, broadcaster, writer and producer, Anita Rani has built her career telling stories that span cultures and challenge perspectives. Away from the camera, she’s just as passionate about discovery, taking every opportunity to explore the world.

Her latest adventure with Kuoni saw her return to India for three weeks, reconnecting with her heritage, revisiting places she loves and exploring new corners. She shared what she got up to, the standout moments and her tips for anyone planning their own India adventure.

Why is India so special to you – and why return now?

Travel has always been important to me. It’s the biggest privilege. I’ve been coming to India since I was two and every trip expands my heart and soul. There’s just something about it, when you set foot here, all your senses switch on. All the clichés are true: the colour, the chaos, the energy – it gets under your skin.

I’ve travelled here in so many ways: family visits, weddings, backpacking, filming documentaries, visiting friends… every trip has been different. But every time I leave, I promise myself I’ll come back more often.

This time I wanted to slow down a little, take in familiar destinations with fresh eyes and spend time relaxing, including a whole week in Goa, somewhere I’d never been before. I’d call it a “beginner’s guide to the big hitters”, perfect if you’ve never been and want a taste of India’s highlights.

What was your India itinerary in a nutshell?

It was three weeks of contrasts – starting in Delhi for temples and street food, on to the famed Taj Mahal in Agra, exploring Rajasthan’s palaces and markets, a week unwinding on Goa’s beaches then wrapping up in Mumbai.

Which places surprised you most?

In Delhi, I went straight to somewhere not on everyone’s hit list – because of my heritage, I’m half Sikh, half Hindu – there’s this beautiful Sikh temple in the heart of the city called Bangla Sahib I really wanted to see. It’s a little oasis in the middle of the sprawl. There’s a big lake, a welcoming community and this peaceful, serene atmosphere. It made my mum so happy that it was one of the first places I visited.

Then there was Christmas morning at the Taj Mahal in Agra. I woke up at 4am to see the sunrise. You’ll probably never be there again, so just set your alarm and go. I’ve seen it so many times, but it never fails to take my breath away. I learned that the only people allowed to live within its boundaries are descendants of the original artisans who built it, still keeping their craft alive today.

What are your must-do experiences in Rajasthan?

Rajasthan is hectic, but it’s also the India of fairytales: palaces, forts, deserts, elephants, camels, beautiful textiles. That’s true across India, but Rajasthan ramps it up like nowhere else. I was obsessed with the fashion here as a teenager – the mirrorwork fabrics, tie-dye, shellwork and stacks of silver jewellery are just stunning.

One of the best things I did in Jaipur was an early morning walking tour. We wandered through the flower market and fruit and veg stalls while the city was just waking up. At the Ganesh Temple, we joined the morning puja. Fervent chanting and singing rolls through the temple and then within ten minutes it’s done, and everyone heads off to work. It’s such an incredible way to start the day.

Of course, you can’t miss the Pink Palace. It’s an icon for a reason. And I can’t recommend the Pink City Rickshaw tour enough. All the drivers are women who’ve challenged expectations to support their families. My driver, Renu, was amazing. It’s such a positive, empowering project.

Then there’s Jodhpur, which feels like a film set with its blue washed streets. I stayed at the Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace – one of the largest palaces in the world – and in the heart of the old city at the Stepwell Hotel. My favourite moment was sitting in the rooftop restaurant, sipping a margarita, watching donkeys, rickshaws and people bustle past beneath the Mehrangarh Fort.

Any unexpected detours?

I did a bit of a pivot. I was supposed to go to Udaipur, but a friend mentioned a New Year’s Eve party happening out in the Jaisalmer desert. I love an adventure, so I made the decision on a whim. Jaisalmer is known as the Golden City, built entirely from honey-coloured sandstone and crowned by a 900-year-old fort where 250 people still live. Walking its lanes felt like stepping into an Indiana Jones set – or back in time entirely.

What did you think of Goa?

This was my first time in Goa. I chilled out on beautiful beaches and had plenty of time to decompress. I hired a scooter, headed inland and found a family run restaurant by a river serving the best Goan curries and seafood. Goa has a completely different feel to Kerala, there’s a Portuguese influence, a big creative scene and lots of Indian families holidaying there. The middle of the state is lively, but head north or south and it’s a slower, more laid-back pace.

Why does Mumbai keep you coming back?

Mumbai is one of my favourite cities on earth and I have so many friends here, so I always have a good time. I treated myself to a stay at the Taj Mahal Palace, right by the Gateway of India, and woke up to that iconic view of the harbour, the boats and the birds.

The city has it all – art galleries, high-end restaurants, late-night bars and a fabulous music and film scene. It keeps you on your toes and every time I go back, I love it even more.

Read here about Anita's connection to Bollywood.

Who was the most fascinating person you met?

My driver, without a doubt. He was Rajasthani through and through and loved sharing his traditions with us. One morning he pulled over, handed us chapati and said, “You’ve got to feed the cows, it’s a blessing.” In India, the first chapati of the day goes to a cow and the last to a street dog. It’s about karma and respect for life.

What were the food highlights of your trip?

Food is such a huge part of travelling in India – you can spend as little or as much as you want, from street food to fine dining and cocktails in five-star hotels like The Oberoi Amarvilas.

But for me, street food is life. I’m a real fan of chaat – pani puri, those puffed balls you fill with tamarind chutney and eat standing at a street stall. It’s limey, lemony and topped with black salt. In India they call that taste chatpata, sweet, salty, tangy and spicy all at once.

In Jaipur, I had the best aloo tikki of my life at Shree Prajeet Chat Bhandar. And in Old Delhi, a food walking tour with Kuoni is a must. You see so much history, like the 12th-century Qutub Minar, while eating constantly. Go hungry. The samosas were packed with flavour and even if you’ve had a jalebi before, you’ve never had one like you’ll experience here.

Read Anita’s guide to street food here.

Any top tips for first-time visitors to India?

If you’ve never been before, it might feel like a culture shock – but embrace it and take a deep breath. Leave space in your suitcase for all the things you’ll want to bring back and try an Indian train journey at least once – the Delhi to Agra route is quick and a great experience. And talk to people – Indians are so warm and welcoming.

How did Kuoni help with your trip?

What Kuoni do is fantastic. Their partners in India know the country like the back of their hands. There wasn’t a moment where I thought, ‘Where am I? What’s happening?’ – drivers were there when we got off trains, luggage arrived where it needed to be and every detail of the itinerary was handed over as soon as it was needed.

I felt really looked after. If you want to experience this beautiful country and not worry about a thing, hand over the reins. If something comes up, you know there’s someone you can call. It takes away all the overwhelm.”

Where’s next?

“Bhutan has been on my list for so long, I need to stop talking about it and just go. And for India, I’m thinking an extreme north to south odyssey for my next trip, from the Himalayas to the very southern tip, Kanyakumari. Kuoni will definitely be planning it!

This article was created on 11th August 2025. The information is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication.