A holiday in India is a trip through one of the world’s most fascinating and chaotic countries. From the cool foothills of the Himalaya to the warm sands of Goa, India unfolds like a silken sari. It’s a feast for the senses; where the air is heavy with spice and the stench of slum living battles with the cacophony of never-ending traffic and countless textures, colours and distractions jostle for attention.
India can be overwhelming, infuriating and exhausting, but a holiday in India will never be dull.
Travel to Delhi to discover squalor and splendour in equal measure, where the frenzied, raucous streets, markets and bazaars of the old city crawl at a sacred cow’s pace towards the majestic grandeur of New Delhi with its wide, green boulevards and modern colonial take on life. A city of contradictions and contrasts Delhi beguiles and frustrates the newcomer, swept up into its sensory-smashing vortex of daily life.
Nearby Agra represents the finest and nastiest of India. The streets are rank, the air polluted and in the alleyways around the Taj Mahal you’ll bump into the most relentless touts and rip-off artists on the subcontinent. But the magnificent sights make a visit worthwhile. Just 200km south of Delhi, it makes an easy day trip by train, but it’s worth spending at least a night to appreciate the Taj Mahal and its many moods. Built solely of white marble, this spectacular tribute to undying love co-exists serenely with the unpleasant atmosphere of its host city.
India’s largest city, Mumbai is another example of contradictions. From the hype, colour and glitz of 'Bollywood' to the abject poverty and filth of its beggars and the smothering heat and smog, travellers are confronted with a micro-view of India; where extremes are a way of life, and life goes on in its own tumultuous, chaotic and exhilarating way.
Fortunately, there are some havens of peace and calm on this chaotic sub-continent, and visitors seeking a less confronting break might consider house boating at Kerala, or rail journeys to some of the cool hill station towns high up in the Himalayan foothills.
India fun facts
Over 100 elephants were used during the construction of the Taj Mahal
There are over 1500 software companies in Bangalore
Indian Railways is the largest employer in the world, employing about 1.6 million people
The wonders of Cambodia
Monday 20th August 2007
Travel Counsellor: David Phillips
Newspapers and the web give us endless lists of the 1000 things to do before you die. Well here's one thats high on my list - Cambodia, a country racked with conflict in the 20th century, but its history in the 10th and 11th century is what we all need to see.
Where to go - Siem Reap is the nearest town to the Khmer temple complex of Angkor. It used to be a sleepy countryside town and even amongst all the new international hotels it still hasn't lost this charm. The main focus is now clearly on tourism and the little town is growing rapidly - a 3 to 4 day trip to see the wonderful temples the guide books do recommend. Angkor Wat is the key element, but there is so much more to see, not only in Siem Reap.
The capital of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Phnom Penh, is located at the confluence of three rivers - the Mekong, the Bassac and Tonle Sap. The city is divided into three sections - the north, an attractive residential area; the south or the French part of the city with its ministries,... view full story
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