Holiday in India

India - it's a spiritual heartland, a nation filled with colour and life, and a destination which is quickly climbing to the top of tourists' 'Must See' lists. In an effort to appeal to a larger variety of tourists instead of the traditional clientèle of back-packers and spiritualists, India has in recent years been pushing for the construction of large family-friendly resorts that will draw in more international visitors. Global hospitality and tourism companies are also seeing the potential of India as a tourist destination and have begun investing in accommodation and entertainment facilities aimed at bringing several key demographics. As a direct result of this sudden increase in interest there are now a number of tour companies and businesses that offer cheap holiday packages to India that include flights, accommodation, guides and transport. It is also possible to organize a cheap Indian holiday all on your own, especially if you trawl through the flight deals that are often listed by travel agents and airlines. It's important to keep in mind that India is still a modernizing country which has a huge and incredibly diverse population that ranges from being extremely wealthy to unimaginably poor, and for this reason alone it is crucial that you invest in proper travel insurance and protection if you do decide to visit the country.

One of the first places many visitors to India stop off is in the capital, Delhi (New Delhi). New Delhi is home to the Red Fort, a beautiful complex which was initially the palace and administrative centre of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. The Red Fort contains a number of fantastic buildings including several palaces and the Swatantra Sangrama Sangrahalaya (Museum of the Independence Movement). Another popular tourist spot is the Qutub Complex which has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The complex stretches back to the Slave Dynasty which ruled in the thirteenth century and is the proud home of the Qutub Minar (a minaret which claimed to be the tallest structure in the world when it was initially constructed). Whilst in Delhi it is also advisable that you visit Humayun's Tomb (also UNESCO listed), the Jama Masjid (the largest mosque in India), and the National Museum. Other popular city destinations within India include Mumbai (home to Bollywood), Amritsar (home to the Golden Temple), Agra (home to the Taj Mahal) and Kolkata (formerly Calcutta).

Outside of the cities the rest of India awaits, and what a huge selection of sights and sounds it has to offer tourists! One of the best loved destinations within India (both by tourists and locals) is the region of Goa, famous for it's cuisine, it's beautiful beaches and it's relaxed atmosphere. Panaji is the district capital and is the main starting point for most tours. The beaches are the main attraction and it's little wonder - Palolem, Anjuna, Baga and Calangute Beaches are a few of the many which offer tourists the chance to swim, relax, party and sample the delicious Indian-Portuguese cuisine which the region is famous for.