How to spend 5 days in Delhi

An itinerary for those who like to take it easy yet miss out on nothing much.

Day 1: Stay near Connaught Place. Check in to The Imperial (tel: 011-2334 1234) or choose a more reasonable option from www.bnb4delhi.com and make this a day to explore Janpath and CP. Walk around the renewed Middle Circle and down the famous Janpath, exploring shops and stores. Get an ice-cream from Nirula's and spend some time watching people.

Must check out: Baba Khadak Singh Marg for state emporiums. Lunch at Minar, (Outer Circle) on, what else, Butter Chicken and Naan. In the evening, check out shows and exhibitions at Kamani, LTG auditorium, Triveni Kala Sangam, Shri Ram Centre or Lalit Kala Academy at Mandi House area nearby. Even if you don't stay at The Imperial, have dinner at San Gimignano for fab Italian fare. Shiro in Samrat Hotel, Chanakyapuri, is an option to party.

Day 2: Take the metro from Rajiv Chowk to the Qutub Minar and marvel at the ancient monument looming above modernity. Lunch at Olive (One Style Mile, Mehrauli) and check out the designer stores nearby before heading to Ghitorni and Arjangarh to see smaller stores that sell knick-knacks for the home. Hop on to the Metro, get off at IFFCO Chowk and walk five minutes to Kingdom of Dreams for a show in the evening. Metro back to Qutub Minar and dine at Circa 1193 (tel: 2664 4329) on great Pan Asian food and a fab view of the Qutub. The lounge is a good place to extend your party.

Day 3: Get ready for an experience of your lifetime as you take the Metro to Chandni Chowk and explore Old Delhi. Breakfast at the legendary Paranthewali Gali. This is a day to walk around, taking in the buzz, buying incredible curios, meeting people you will never forget and eating food you will get addicted to.

Must-do: Cycle rickshaw ride. Grab Poori-Aloo for lunch anywhere and have dinner at Karim's, located close to Jama Masjid. A bar has no place between all this colour and history. Instead head to India Gate and join late night walkers for an ice-cream.

Day 4: After such an intense experience it's time to take it easy again and go a bit posh. Boutique shops at Hauz Khas Village will delight the most reluctant shopper. Lunch at Gunpowder on south Indian and then head to Saket to shop at the Select CityWalk mall complex. Return to the Village for a drink or three at The Living Room Caf? and catch live music before you feast on pancakes for dinner (why not) at Flipside Cafe.

Day 5: Of course, you can't skip Khan Market. Breakfast at All American Diner at India Habitat Centre on pancakes and sausages, before you buy quirky stationery, T-shirts, jewellery, or designer things. Lunch at The Big Chill, then visit Humayun's Tomb in Nizamuddin nearby and return to Khan Market for a drink at any of the bars. Dine at Pandara Road next door for a last fix of Butter Chicken.

Must see: I love architecture so, whenever I have the time I enjoy visiting the Qutub Minar, taking a walk at Lodi Garden and going to Humayun's Tomb.

Must eat: When I was a student of Delhi University my friends and I would often go to the Tibetan Dhaba and Paranthewali Gali.

Must shop: Lajpat Nagar market is good for fabrics and the emporiums as well.

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