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Destinations

Asia

India

India does not do quiet. Delhi throws you into bazaars, rooftop bars, Mughal forts and traffic with its own internal logic. Rajasthan follows with pink cities, desert palaces and old havelis, while Agra delivers the Taj Mahal, the north delivers Himalayan trails and mountain towns. Down south, there's Kerala’s backwaters and palm-lined coast, or if heading east, Varanasi: where life unfolds along the Ganges from sunrise. Come during Holi and the entire place turns pink, yellow, green and completely unrecognisable. Between the colour, chai stops, overnight trains, roadside food and weddings that appear to involve half the city, India is full-volume travel. Big, generous, occasionally chaotic and impossible to forget.

Cultural Detour

Holi: India’s Festival of Colours

Every spring, streets across India erupt into clouds of pink, yellow, green and blue for Holi, the festival of colours. The celebration begins the night before with Holika Dahan, when communities gather around bonfires symbolising the triumph of good over evil. The following morning, normal life is replaced by coloured powder, water, music, dancing and complete strangers wishing each other “Happy Holi.” The festival marks the arrival of spring and is closely connected to stories of Radha and Krishna, love, renewal and togetherness. Celebrations vary across the country, with some of the most famous taking place in Mathura, Vrindavan, Jaipur and Delhi. Expect to finish the day unrecognisable, finding coloured powder in all places with several showers needed after.

Cheat-Sheet:

MAJOR AIRPORT:

Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi (DEL).

CURRENCY:

Indian Rupee (₹ / INR)

HIGH TRAVEL SEASON:

October to March. Generally the best window for Delhi, Rajasthan, Agra, Varanasi and much of central India.

LOW TRAVEL SEASON:

April to September. April to June can be extremely hot across northern and central India.

TIPPING CULTURE:

Around 5 to 10% for good service.

HOW TO SAY 'THANK YOU':

Dhanyavaad. Pronounced roughly: dhun-yuh-vaad

Why we love it

Lucy

India is a lot. That’s why I love it.

Being in the middle of Holi festival, covered head to toe in colour while music is blasting and complete strangers are laughing with you, is unmatched. Sunrise at the Taj Mahal, chai on the side of the road, the food, the forts, the overnight trains... it's real travel.