Looks like we may be adding 4 or 5 days in Calcutta prior to our Cambodia trip in late Oct for work. Have been there before when "work' sent us on a city tour on our time off. We will probably have a fair bit of free time maybe even a whole day. So was looking for suggestions for things to do??
Thanks J

Anyone?? We could do an overnight trip somewhere also.
Thanks!
J

My recollections of Calcutta are indeed very hazy, as I went there nearly a decade ago. My wife & I stayed at the Lyttons, a very nice hotel, just behind the Oberois Grand. The main shopping centre the Chowringhee is 5 minutes walking distance. For sight seeing, we went to:
a. the Victoria Memorial, the building built ostensibly to eclipse the glory of the Taj Mahal, houses some beautiful colonial paintings.
b. The Birla Planetarium to see the constellation of stars (English version).
c. The Writers Building, housing the Govt. offices in Bara Baug area.
d. The old Howrah Bridge & the new suspension bridge on the Hooghly.
e. The 'Black Hole' near the CESC building??, but no trace of the actual building exists today.
f. St. Paul's Cathedral near the Maidan.
g. The Maidan itself has a lot of activity. The Bengalis are sportsmen & are crazy on football.
h. The Calcutta harbour has an old bridge which is opened to allow shipping vessels to pass. You will probabaly need a permission for a visit.
i. We visited a garden also, with 'dancing' fountains, a lot of Bengali families visit it in the evenings.
j. When you are in Calcutta, enquire about some dance or classical music programmes. Bengalis are culturally very advanced.
k. Finally, give my 'salaams'(Greetings) to Alok Da, the owner of Ashutosh Daw & co. Gunmakers, for I picked up a beautiful English Shotgun from him!!
You shall love Calcutta!!!

Thank yo vp singh. We too were in Calcutta 8 years ago so I was alos wandering possible trips out of Calcutta for a day or 2. We don't have to worry about accomidation as work takes care of that in Calcutta. We are looking forward to getting back there even for such a short trip as India is very high on our list for a return longer visit.
Thanks again and any other opinions gratefully accepted.
J

Definitely go to the Oberoi Grand for a meal, the hotel has wonderful old world charm. For an overnight trip yoou could consider Sunderbans if seeing tigers interests you. Shanti Niketan is a beautiful day trip if art interests you. Go to the Calcutta instituion, Flurries for a pastry. Wander down Park Street and browse thru some of the book shops and auction houses. Have Indian Chinese food at the Taj Bengal and drive thru Alipore to see how Calcutta's rich and powerful live - some of the bungalows are amazing.

Enjoyed Victoria Memoria when there in February, worth a couple of hours if you like Art/History.

Loved staying at the Hyatt Salt Lake with their great pool.