India, with its 5000 years of human history, is one of the world’s most fascinating travel destinations. Truly an immense and well-populated nation, it is multicultural in the extreme, with hundreds of diverse languages and customs, and many religions. To visit India, one must be prepared for the exotic and everything from beggars to cows in the streets.

India is gradually modernising and moving into the first world, but it’s still a country that has many different social castes and wide economic stratification. Even as it moves forward into the future, churning out some of the most talented professionals in medicine, engineering and high technology, it leaves behind its poor and uneducated pockets, which only adds to the colourful chaos that this land of mystery is known for.

As one might imagine, the country’s sheer size affords any many of holiday, be it relaxing on the beach, climbing impressive mountains, cycling through the countryside, riding a camel through one of its deserts, or walking around the streets one of its teeming metropolises. India’s old cities, themselves well-known and iconic, offer a challenge for visitors who can expect to be, by turns, frustrated and amazed, annoyed and humbled. Visitors can expect to find a plethora of cultural and historical offerings, and no end to religious and archeological treasures to explore.

Accommodation in India is almost as varied as its culture, with wide choice available. From gleaming, modern luxury hotels in the big cities to posh resorts along its extensive coasts, one is spoilt for choice. Everything in-between is offered in plenty of styles, and at prices to suit every budget.

Don’t forget to include India’s great cities when plotting your visit to India. Mumbai is its largest city, once called Bombay and surely its most legendary mega-city. New Delhi is considered to be the gateway to India, with many cultural attractions, museums, galleries, shopping, dining and entertainment. Finally, Kolkata, formerly Calcutta, offers its own special mixture of culture, industry and sights. The city is a treasure trove of architectural styles the have made it known as the ‘Jewel of the East’, given its East-meets-West nature.