Hyderabad: Surrounded by huge pre-historic rocks and built around a lake, is Hyderabad, the capital of Andhra Pradesh. A curious blend of the fairytale and the earthy,  potpourri of the old and the new. Today, together with its twin-city Secunderabad, it is one the largest cities in India.  Medieval Indian, Saracenic, Mughal and colonial architecture create an exuberance and richness, rarely found in other parts of the country.

Charminar: located in the heart of the old city, is a magnificent edifice built by Muhammad Quali Qutab Shah in 1591 and  is an unique symbol of Hyderabad. A small mosque is located on the roof of the edifice. All around the Charminar is a bustling bazaar of pearl and jewelry shops, perfume and Attar (Indian perfumewhich is oil based) dealers. Close by is the Laad Bazaar or the bangle alley with rows of shops selling lacquer and glass bangles of great variety and cost.

Mecca Masjid: so called on account of a few bricks that were brought from Mecca and embedded in the walls of this impressive mosque. Originally started by Sultan Mohammad Quli Qutab Shah, it was completed by the Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb in the 17th century. It is the largest mosque in the twin cities, it can accommodate around 10,000 worshippers at prayer.

The Salar Jung Museum: is reputed to be the world's largest one-man collection. It houses around 35,000 antiques and art objects collected by Salar Jung III, the former Prime Minister of the Nizam of Hyderabad. The Museum's 36 halls display an intriguing array of treasures, the finest crystal and porcelain, an assemblage of statues that include the veiled Rebecca and Margarita - Mephistopheles, miniature paintings, illuminated manuscripts, fabulous jewelled weapons, including the Empress Nurjehan's dagger and the Nawab's own diamond-encrusted sword, priceless collection of jade, ivory and bronzes and a fascinating variety of clocks. The most important historical exhibits are the turban and ivory chairs of Tipu Sultan of Mysore.