• Select a destination >
• UK
• Caribbean
• Central America
• Europe
• Turkey
• Africa
• Other Destinations
• Travel Guides
• Flight Search
• Travel Blog
• OFFERS
• Travel Insurance
• Xmas Breaks

Top holiday locations in India With local hotel/resorts reviews:

India.
There are a few countries in the world that can match India's diversity, with a landscape that ranges from featureless plains and arid deserts to the spectacular Himalayas and dense forests. The way of life is a confusing mixture of religious tradition and encroaching Western consumerism (albeit somewhat behind the times). Gilded temples share space with English-looking Victorian town houses, street hawkers work the pavements outside huge department stores, officials and Indian guides go about their business in temperatures of around 100 degrees, wearing blue wool blazers. It’s a strange place indeed, and if you can deal with the smells and the hassles and the scenes of abject poverty, you are in for a fascinating time.

India’s capital, Delhi, is as overcrowded, smelly and noisy as it is magical. The city contains some of the country’s most striking urban architecture, serves the best food and has some of India’s most intriguing and colourful bazaars in the district of Paharganji. The main places of interest include Connaught Place, at the heart of the city, the Red Fort, and the largest active mosque in India, Jama Masjid, which accommodates over 35,000 worshippers each Friday. India’s rich-poor divide is perhaps most apparent in Mumbai (formerly Bombay), where the largest movie-making industry in the world coexists with Asia’s largest slums. Bollywood is the celebrity hub of India, and, in all honesty, resembles a giant film set itself with its Victorian architecture and regular cricket matches. Here too, you’ll find India’s most notorious red light area and some great beaches at Chowpatty. Mind you, those looking for a beach holiday usually head straight for Goa, where the sun and sand are only marred by the incessant hawkers and hedonism that is rife amongst the young and chemically imbalanced. Calcutta, on the other hand, is virtually a microcosm of the Indian nation, where bureaucratic institutions like the ‘Writers Building’ go head to head with goat sacrificing at Kali’s temple.

Virtually no one makes the trip to India without stopping by the country’s ultimate tourist symbol, the Taj Mahal in Agra, one of the most beautiful and extravagant buildings ever built in the name of love. It does not disappoint and, at closer inspection, only confirms what a wondrous work of art it really is. Jaipur also has its share of treasures, including broad avenues and striking architecture, the famous Johari Bazaar jeweller’s market, and the ‘Pink City’ with its seven gates. India is so different it is hard to imagine anyone not finding it fascinating. Sure, there are hassles - bureaucracy, street hawkers, poverty and pollution but there is so much to marvel at that after only a short while, you’ll find yourself warming to, even falling in love with India.

Rajasthan and the Lake Palace Hotel.
Often referred to as the "Venice of India," the lake region of Rajasthan, situated around Udaipur, is quickly becoming one of India’s premier tourist destinations. Comprised of three artificial lakes courtesy of the Rajput Royal Family, the centuries have seen the construction of numerous offshore palaces and forts. The most famous palace, the Lake Palace of Udaipur, was featured in the James Bond movie Octopussy and is now a five-star hotel. Of special interest are the 20 elephant stables. The Palace is also a great base from which to explore the other palaces and forts within the lake system.

Backwaters of Kerala.
Situated on the southernmost tip of India, Kerala has only recently been opened up to mass tourism. It has been established as one of the major winter sun destinations of the future. Its greatest attraction is the Backwaters, in particular the houseboats that drift along the lakes and rivers. The boats, which are actually converted cargo vessels, accommodate two couples and a four-person crew and make daily stops at villages along the shore to collect supplies. More recently, tour operators have introduced tree houses in the coconut groves that overlook the lakes, offering full board with bedroom, living area, and bathroom facilities.

Taking tea in Darjeeling.
Sampling one of India’s most famous exports in its place of origin is a wonderful experience. The Victorian holiday resort, a major tea-growing centre, is set in truly spectacular surroundings on a ridge over 6,600ft in the Himalayas. What could be more relaxing than sipping a cup of this Darjeelings? They are delicate, yet possess a full-bodied brew whilst enjoying spectacular mountain vistas and views of the world’s third-highest mountain, Kanchenjunga.

Taj Mahal.
One of the Seven Wonders of the World and India’s tourist emblem, the Taj Mahal is also regarded as one of the most beautiful monuments built in the name of love. Constructed entirely of white marble by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife and queen, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in childbirth, the beauty of the building is beyond description, and no photograph can truly capture it. The best times to see the Taj Mahal are dawn or sunset, when the reflections of colour on the marble are genuinely breathtaking.

Best time to visit India?
India has marked differences in weather depending on the time of year. The winter months generally see pleasant temperatures, typically around the mid-twenties (although the central regions can be higher), making this a prime time for beach destinations. Northern India experiences colder temperatures, particularly in the Himalayas. From April to June, temperatures steadily increase as the sizzle begins. There is some respite up in the Himalayas, however. The end of June marks the beginning of the Monsoon season, during which heavy rainstorms are prone to occur, particularly in the Himalayas and the tropical southern tip. Accommodation can be quieter, however, during the summer months, as the rain puts many off, so it can save you a few pennies travelling at this time.