We have been staying at Nadesar Palace in Varanasi, a fabulous palace that we took over for our first two days in India. We have been living like royalty and enjoying every detail.

In 1896 Mark Twain wrote that Varanasi is "older than history, older than legend, and looks as old as all of them put together." Little has changed since then--or in the 4,000 years since this city was founded. Varanasi is considered one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities. It is the holiest place in the world in Hinduism and a holy city for Buddhists and Jains, too. Benaras, as it is also commonly known, rests on the left bank of the holy River Ganges.

The ghats are the steps that descend into the River Ganges and we've visited them often, to witness ceremonies and rituals that are timeless. What a gift! --Diane