Best tourist places in India

International airports

Mumbai (BOM) 29km in town; Calcutta (CCU) 13km from town; Delhi (DEL) 20km in town; Chennai (MAA) 14km from town; Amritsar-Raja Sansi (ATQ) 11km from town; Goa (GOI) 35km from the town of Panjim.

Getting around in India

Rail travel is economical and relatively comfortable. Indian Railways operates a comprehensive system of trains of different criteria and with different classes. Be ready for long journeys -- and check if overnight sleeper trains are all available for your route to save a bit of time and cash for lodging. Reservations are crucial to ensure you get a berth. If you aren't in a hurry you can enjoy the views from a slow steam train up into the mountain resorts of Shimla, Ooty (Udhagamandalam), Darjeeling or Matheran. For long distances flying would be the most suitable choice. Domestic flights to all significant cities are available, frequently at low prices. Buses now get to pretty much every region of the country. They're quite affordable but uncomfortable and slow. Assess the Red Bus for routes and prices.

India accommodation

India has quite a broad array of lodging. In most significant cities it's possible to remain in high-class resorts for a fraction of what you'd pay in Western nations, while locally run hotels are much cheaper - particularly in the event that you buy. The YHA conduct several hostels around India, and tourist offices can supply you with a listing of households that provide homestays. You aren't expected to be spiritual, but a philosophical fascination can help you match it

India food & drink

What many regional designs have in common is that the significance of spices, used for flavor, as appetite stimulators and digestives. National cuisine can be quite hot, but expensive restaurants catering to the tourist trade make their dishes very mild. India's cuisine is quite diverse and the meal is an integral part of Indian culture. The techniques involved in cooking Indian foods are all closely connected with communities, areas, religious traditions and beliefs in the Indian civilization. Other essentials are dal (lentils), rice and dairy products like dahi, a sort of yogurt or curd. Street stall favorites are samosas, three-cornered deep-fried pastry parcels with a potato filling; bhajis, battered and deep-fried veggies; along with dosas, a kind of pancake made of rice. For vegetarians India is probably the best nation on earth: you can be sure that all Hindu restaurants won't serve beef - or even an egg - at all.

Health & safety in India

Several places in India have been targets of terrorist attacks. Assess the Foreign and Commonwealth Office site for travel ideas and information on security issues. Drink just sterilized, filtered or boiled water. Make sure the bottles are sealed and bear in mind that ice isn't always made from sterilized water.