India is an incredible country with so much to see and do. If you’re lucky enough to have a large budget, then holidays to India can encompass an amazing range of sights and activities, all blended into one, breathtaking worldwide tour. Below are some of our favourite spots to stop off…
GOA
Goa is a place to retreat after you have seen it all in the crowded cities. Here the cityscapes of urban India are replaced with coconut groves and the fuel fumes replaced by the sweet smelling cashew nut blossoms and ripening mangoes. The honking of irritated motorists is replaced with melodious chirping of birds which reminds you that you can slow down and take in the beautiful landscapes of the lush river valleys and sandy beaches. Goa is pleasantly peaceful and dream destination in India with its alluring landscapes and slow pace of life.
KERALA
The tropical backwaters of Kerala remain one of the top destinations for many; it is a place of contrasting religious ideologies and where the salty and fresh waters mix yet the magical charms of Kerala are never diminished. A lot of activities go on along the banks, men waiting patiently for their nets to trap fish, women wash clothes as flotillas of ducks merrily drift by. Lots of vessels cruise the Kerala waters including ferries, fishing boats and the famed Kerala boat houses each headed to its designated destination creating a spectacle to behold. The area is also teeming with rich wildlife and beautiful scenes of paddy fields, mosques, churches and coconut groves.
AGRA
Agra may not sound as popular but the Taj Mahal is the most recognized of the two nouns. The Taj Mahal is a highlight of every Indian itinerary but it is found the city of Agra and if India is a princess then the Taj Mahal is her beautiful crown. The city of Agra may not appeal to the eye due its high levels of pollution but its magnificent Mughal architectural pieces makes one make just one more stop to admire the ancient beauty. There are many attractions such as ancient tombs, the ghost town of Fatehpur Sikri and gardens within the city for you to explore.
DARJEELING
Darjeeling is high in the eastern Himalayas where tea plantations crown the hill stations with their leafy shrubs spilling the mountain sides. Brightly painted cottages jut out of the valleys of terraced fields, cascading waterfalls dot the valleys and the astonishing variety of orchards blooming in the fields add the beauty and romance of Darjeeling. The misty hills are attractive to those on honeymoon seeking secluded places, hikers and those who are bewildered by natural beauty. The higher you climb up the hills the better the views become opening up to high peaks, lakes and beautiful homes owned by people of different ethnicities.
VARANASI
Varanasi sits majestically along the banks of the sacred River Ganges. It is a place to witness a myriad of activities especially at sunrise when different kinds of people take a dip to be cleansed from their sins, perform rituals, meditate and pray. It is a place where spirituality feels so real and tangible while yet the ancient traditions of the Hindu culture are still practiced here. It is believed that Varanasi is the home town of Lord Shiva whom the pilgrims you see crowded here come to seek his guidance or to worship.
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