How to Visit Kolkata

Not so long ago, Kolkatta, better known as Calcutta, was not on the top of many travelers' "to-do" lists. With India's high-tech boom, that's all beginning to change.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Examine the glories of Calcutta's past at the Victoria Memorial Hall on Queen's Way at the south end of Maidan Park, south of the Brigade Parade Ground. This neoclassical structure, which resembles a huge wedding cake, was built in the early 20th century to honor Queen Victoria. It contains artifacts connected to her family, paintings, drawings, sculptures, weapons, books, manuscripts and other materials connected with the British Raj and the Mughal civilization.

2. Watch a cricket game at Ranji Stadium on the grounds of the Eden Gardens Cricket Club. Find that club at B.C. Roy Club House on Eden Garden Road, north of Fort William and east of the Hooghly River in the north end of the Maidan. This is one of the finest cricket stadiums in the world and it seats 100,000.

3. Visit the Mother House of Order of the Sisters of Charity at 54a AJC Bose Road in Chowringhee district. This is where Mother Teresa lived and is buried. If you'd like to help the sisters in their work with Calcutta's poor while you're visiting the city, you'd visit this place for orientation.

4. Glory in nature at the Indian Botanical Gardens on the west bank of the Hooghly River in Shibpur in Howrah. It features more than 50,000 plants and trees, including a huge 250-year old banyan tree. Also on the grounds are several plant houses and an herbarium with a vast collection of specimens.

5. See an overview of all that is India at the Indian Museum on 27 Jawaharlal Nehru Road. It features paintings, sculpture, weapons, coins and exhibits on archaeology, natural history and anthropology.

6. Buy books at the Calcutta Book Fair, held in late January and early February. The fair includes lectures, book signings and other events, and you can browse through the numerous book stalls.