Are you looking for a unique travel destination that gets into your heart and won’t let you go? Would you like to spend some time in a country that overloads your senses with intense colors, smells, tastes, and sounds? Take a trip to India, and it will be full of the unexpected, but there’s one thing for sure: you won’t be returning home quite the same as when you left! If this hasn’t quite convinced you yet, then here are ten good reasons to grab your passport and book your tickets for the trip of a lifetime.
The People
The local people of India, particularly in more rural areas, are known for being the kindest and most hospitable people. You’ll be touched by the warmth of the locals at every turn, whether you’re watching kids playing in the streets or are lucky enough to get invited into a local’s home for a traditional meal.
Visitors to India come from all over the world, and one of the things they always take home with them is the welcome they received from the locals.
The Food
Travel to India, and you’ll soon be sampling some of the tastiest food ever. Just like the country, the cuisine is very diverse. You’ll be tasting thick, creamy curries in the north together with food that’s very heavily influenced by Persian and Mughlai styles of cooking. Southern cuisine is characterized by the use of coconut, seafood, and rice. Dishes also tend to be spicier than in the north. If you’re a vegetarian, you’ll be well catered for as there is a large proportion of Hindus in India.
The Beaches
India has 7,500 kilometers of coastline, and while it might not all be as pristine as you’d like, there are some very amazing stretches, particularly in Goa and Kerala. There are several famous beaches that most tourists flock to, but if you’d prefer a spot that offers solitude and beauty, there are plenty of beaches to choose from. Try to find the time to visit Gokarna in Karnataka, the beaches of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Puri in Orissa, and Tarkarli in Maharashtra. Whatever your budget, you’ll find somewhere to stay, whether it’s a tiny beach shack that costs just a few dollars per night or a seven-star luxury resort that even provides your own butler.
The Price
According to a report relating to travel and tourism competitiveness, India ranks at number ten for price competitiveness. Getting around the country by train costs very little, luxury accommodation is very affordable and eating out is highly affordable. One of the highlights of any trip to India should be a trip on a train. Nothing quite compares to it. The experience will bring about feelings of wonder, nervous anticipation and heady exhilaration in equal measure. A very popular railway trip is on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway.
History and Architecture
India is an architecturally diverse country that’s filled with forts, palaces, temples, mosques, monuments, and ancient ruins. It is home to the world’s oldest civilization and has architecture rooted in its history, religion, and culture. Many dynasties have influenced the architectural styles as well as the numerous UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites across the country.
Adventure
A keen sense of adventure will accompany you wherever you travel in India. Whether you’re trying to spot Bengal tigers and Indian elephants in the wild, riding an Enfield on the southern beaches of Goa or navigating the chaotic streets of Delhi, the sense of adventure will follow you everywhere.
Taj Mahal
One of the seven wonders of the world, no visit to India would be complete without visiting its most iconic symbol. It was built by the Emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial to his favorite wife and is considered by many to be the most beautiful architectural wonders ever created.
Festivals
In India, there seems to be a festival taking place on almost every day of the year. Whether it’s a celebration for elephants, camels, unmarried women, kites, Krishna’s birthday, or Rama’s return, Indians love to party! The most favorite of all for both locals and visitors to the country has to be the Festival of Color, or Holi as it is better known. It’s a celebration of spring when people take to the streets to throw colored powder at each other and eat sweets. Diwali, or the Festival of Lights is another favorite, and this takes place in the fall. The sky is lit up with fireworks that seem to go on for hours and hours.
Himalayas
The star attraction of the Himalayas has to be Mount Everest, but this lies many hundreds of kilometers away from India, on the frontier between Nepal and China. That being said, the Indian part of this magnificent mountain range offers many attention-grabbing vistas and plenty of beautiful hiking trails.
Shopping
Shopping in India is more of a cultural experience, especially if you find the time to take a trip to the market or bazaar. These places are vivacious and full of colorful merchandise and characters. Experience shopping in the medieval lanes of Old Delhi and it’ll feel like a journey into India’s past. When you find a treasure, be prepared to try your hand at haggling over the price. You have to do it because it’s part of the shopping experience!
If you want to experience all that India has to offer, you’ll need to make sure your passport is up to date. You may also need to organize a visa, depending on your country of residence. US residents can learn more about the passport application process online. If you haven’t got a passport yet, you’ll need to organize one before you book any tickets because the application process can take a few weeks.
India is a vast country, much of which is rural. There are some incredible sights to be seen and discovered. It’s a destination that’s growing in popularity all the time, and when you return from your adventure, it won’t be long before you’re looking at the travel brochures again and planning another Indian adventure.
