Varanasi holidays

The sacred city of Varanasi, formerly known as Benares, dates back thousands of years to a time when it was the capital of the kingdom of Kashi. This ancient Indian city has been the spiritual centre for Hindus for thousands of years, and is still considered so today. The city’s cultural diversity and the Ganges River winding through it have preserved its old-world charm, so on a Varanasi holiday you can experience life in India just as it was thousands of years ago. Young Brahmans perform a ritual, during which they pay tribute to the Ganges by offering it small earthenware lamps, incense sticks and rose petals, while seemingly detached from the surrounding chaos, as if in a bubble of spirituality. It is a humbling experience to see the daily lives of locals unfolding along this sacred river while on a Varanasi holiday. Roam through the streets and you'll see something interesting around every corner: pilgrims bathing at ghats, cows wandering freely about town and cafes selling fresh chai tea alongside traditional Indian sweets. Experience the Varanasi bazaar, a maze of streets and alleyways, where you can find anything from spices and silk to saris and shoes. Read more