Hear about travel to Kolkata, India (formerly Calcutta) as the Amateur Traveler talks to Sam Sarkar from Travels with Dr. Sam about this city built by the British East India Company.

Why should you go to Kolkata?

Sam says, "It's a real hidden secret. This is a city that has grand colonial buildings. It used to be the second city of the British Empire for the longest time. The first US consulate in the world was set up in Kolkata even before Thomas Jefferson was president in the late 17 hundreds. It's a city that has produced six Nobel laureates. There's a lot of art and culture festivals, and outstanding food. So I think there's a lot to see."

1. Start with European Heritage & Colonial Architecture

• Walking Tour with Calcutta Walks — Sam's top recommendation for understanding Kolkata's colonial history and European architecture.
• Highlights include:
• Victoria Memorial — "British Taj Mahal," the most spectacular building in Kolkata.
• St. Paul’s Cathedral
• St. John’s Church, Kolkata (oldest Anglican church)
• High Court Building
• Writers’ Building
• General Post Office, Kolkata
• Governor’s House
• The Lalit Great Eastern Kolkata (oldest continuously operating hotel in Asia — Mark Twain stayed there)

TIP: Go on a Sunday or during off-hours for less crowd. Buildings are beautifully lit at night.

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https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-kolkata-india/

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