Begin at 6:00 AM at Mallick Ghat, situated right beside the cantilevered steel arches of Howrah Bridge. As one of Asia's largest flower markets, thousands of vendors trade mountains of orange marigold garlands, blue lotuses, and fragrant roses by the riverbank.

Cross over to the Maidan to explore the grand Victoria Memorial, built between 1906 and 1921 using pristine white Makrana marble. Admire the central dome topped by the 16-foot bronze Angel of Victory and walk through the sprawling 64-acre royal gardens.

Walk across the street to admire the Gothic stained-glass spires of St. Paul's Cathedral. In the evening, head down illuminated Park Street, dining on continental delicacies and chelo kebabs at iconic institutions like Peter Cat or Mocambo.

Start your second morning in College Street (Boi Para), the intellectual epicenter of Kolkata. Browse hundreds of wooden book kiosks stacked with rare literary classics, and climb the wooden stairs of the legendary Indian Coffee House (established 1942), where generations of Bengali poets and revolutionaries held spirited adda debates over black infusion coffee and mutton cutlets.

Take the metro north to Kumartuli, the traditional potters' quarter. Watch skilled artisans mold sacred statues of Goddess Durga using alluvial clay sourced directly from the holy river bed.

At 5:00 PM, head to Prinsep Ghat. Board a traditional wooden rowboat on the Hooghly River as the sun sets behind the massive cable-stayed Vidyasagar Setu (Second Hooghly Bridge). End your weekend by savoring warm Rosogolla and baked Sandesh at Balaram Mullick or K.C. Das.