We've just returned from Delhi and what should have been a cumbersome administrative chore, took a rather pleasant turn! As ever, we're always on the lookout for different places to stay in Delhi, so each time we stop of in the nation's capital, we endeavour to try something new (staving off the urge to return to old favourites) and expand our horizons. And so we checked in to The Manor, in the ever-so-slightly swanky Friends Colony. I'm not sure quite what we were expecting, especially after a six-hour drive from Jaipur... but as we drove in to the courtyard, we were in fact entering a whole other dimension. I'm still reeling. The exquisiteness of it all is almost too good to be true.

Yes, there is so much to see in Rajasthan, so much to do, so many fantastic locations... and still, we decided to go a little further beyond. Equally amazing and giving our clients the essential highlights of North India, Delhi, Agra and Varanasi are fantastic additions to a Rajasthan itinerary. Given the distances and modes of transport, it's often a little tricky to piece everything together in a trip of less than two weeks – but our latest tour, THE NORTH manages to do exactly that with its up-tempo pace and our selection of some of the most luxurious stays in India.

October 3rd 2010 sees the start of the long anticipated Commonwealth Games, being held in Delhi. For India it is a momentous occasion - the Games represent the largest sporting and cultural event ever held in the country. Around 6000 athletes from 71 participating nations will be flocking to India's capital for the 12 days of sports and ceremonial activities. The newly renovated Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium has been upgraded to seat 75,000 expected spectators from all over the globe.