For such an old place, what's new about New Delhi? Well the Metro Delhi for one thing - which has quickly established itself as the best way to get around this capital city known for its wild, crowded streets of teaming humanity. The Metro Walk Mall, located next to the Rithala Metro Station, is a great place to hang out, eat and shop. But hey - don't forget to also take in the old with the new in one of Asia's most fascinating cities.

The first line of the Metro Dehli opened in December 2002 and almost single handily transformed the city over night. Since then the entire Phase I of the project was completed in December 2005, on budget and almost three years ahead of schedule, an achievement described by most locals as 'nothing short of a miracle'.

Visitors can purchase 'Tourists Cards' that can be used for unlimited travel on the Delhi metro network over a short period of time. There are two types of tourist cards - one-day and three-day cards. The cost of both is extremely reasonable : the one-day-card is priced at 70 rupees (US$1.50), the three-day card is only 200 rupees.

The most important thing to remember for a smooth arrival is making sure to book a direct flight to New Delhi. Accommodation can be tough to come by as well, even though most of the major international hotel chains groups are represented including Sheraton, Marriott, Hyatt Regency, Inter-Continental and Le Meridien.

It is best to plan two days to see the sights, the first day is well spent at the colourful shopping bazaar known as the Chandni Chowk, the heart of Old Delhi. Open since 1654, it is one of the largest markets in Asia. Clusters of shops sell anything and everything. What an experience! Down every alley you get jostled by shopkeepers, panhandlers, rickshaw-riders and beggars. However, homes open into the narrow alleys where visitors can spot old courtyards, stone doorways and filigreed windows.

On the second day make a point visit the Red Fort, also in Old Delhi. Dating from the peak of Mughal power, its red sandstone walls extend for two kilometres and are more than 30 metres high in places. Enclosed in the fort are two reception rooms - one for private meetings and one for public events. There is also the Rang Mahal, the water cooled apartment of the royal ladies, and the Pearl Mosque, a lovely, ornate dream in white marble.

Like a mirage, the Taj Mahal lies at the end of spectacular gardens. From a distance, it looks like it is made of fine French lace, but when you get up close you realise that what looked like painted frescoes are carvings inlaid with gems and semi-precious stones.

You have to remove your shoes to enter the mausoleum. In the centre of the room is a screen of white marble and there you find the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal. To the left is the tomb of the emperor. We found that the best time to visit is early in the morning when the first rays of light enter the room.

On either side of the Taj are two sandstone buildings with white marble domes. One is a mosque and the other was intended as a residence. Near the mosque, we visited the Taj Mahal Museum, which contains memorabilia from the Mughal period and documents the historical background of the building.