Extra day in Delhi,Jaipur, Varanasi or Agra ?

Hi All,
Looking for advice.
My husband and I are travelling to India for the first time in February. We have got from 05th - 15th to travel between Delhi, Jaipur, Varanasi and Agra. At the moment our itinerary looks something like:
5th - Delhi (arrive 1am)
6th - Delhi
7th - Train to Jaipur
8th - Jaipur
9th - 1/2 day Jaipur, Overnight train to Varanasi
10th - Varanasi
11th - Varanasi, Overnight train to Agra
12th - Agra
13th - Agra, Train to Delhi
14th - ???
15th - Fly Delhi to Goa
23rd - Fly Goa to Delhi
24th - Home

The Goa flights are already booked.
As you can see we've got one 'spare' day.
I'd be grateful if anybody could advise on where we should spend that extra day - Delhi? Jaipur? Varanasi? or Agra? I'm trying to finalise as I would like to get all of the train journeys booked over the next couple of days.

Apreciate your thoughts and thanks to all IM posters for the tons of info I've gleamed from this site already.

Having been to all of the place you mention and given the choice, I think I would plump for the extra day in Jaipur. There is plenty to see in the town and a trip out to the Amber Fort is worthwhile.

I agree with Mr. Pastry...

Varanasi. Hands down. No "sights", per se . . . just another day in Varanasi - or as it's been known for thousands of years - Kashi, the City of Light. Crazy place?, you bet, you can cut the craziness with a knife . . . but it's one of the oldest cities on earth . . . the sun has risen on the city of Varanasi over one million times . . . simply one of the most powerful places I've ever been.

Your choices are enviable though . . . not a bad one in the lot.

Have fun.
Scott

I agree with Luckywoman and Delhi gets my vote. There's much to see and do in Delhi to keep you occupied for a week.

Varanasi

This is a wonderful delimma. I also vote for Varanasi, although Dehli would not be bad either. The atmosphere of Varanasi is extraordinary, but the conventional sights of Delhi are good. Seems like a very personal preference. Which do you prefer more:museums, etc, or being immersed in a culture like no other? If you stay in Varanasi, be sure to allow for half a day in Sarnath, site of Buddha's Deer Park talk.

then train Agra, Jaipur, Delhi

If you look on a map it is one way travel.

But really I would fly delhi to Varanasi to Khajuraho bus to Orcha which is 15 min to Jhansi train to Agra train to Jaipur train to Delhi
With this itinerary you are traveling at the most 4.5 hours a day.

I'd stay in Delhi for a day more, having said that I have not been to varanasi.....but Agra and Jaipur....no need to spend more time there...in my opinion. Have fun!

Varanasi would be a no brainer for me.

Take the extra day in Delhi.

I'd do Taj, Agra Fort, Sikendra by early afternoon on the 12th, hire a car for Fatehpur Sikri & be tucked into a cozy cottage at Bharatpur by sundown on the 12th. Early Breakfast, Some quality birding & back in Agra for Sunset behind Taj. Train to Delhi 13th Night. Spend the Extra day in Delhi - shop, architecture, museum, People watching etc.

Everyone's different, but I'd definitely choose Varanasi. I'd also be sure to stay near the ghats. Just walking them every day, taking the boat rides, drinking up the atmosphere--this is the quintessential India.

Etc. ... will include the cultural events/programmes. Delhi is the cultural capital of India. Delhi will be a good choice for the extra day.

Erotic temples - just a fantasy or worth the less than sexy travel