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Explore India - a vast nation of culture, learning, fabulous sights, extraordinary cuisine and startling contrasts.

With hot weather, fabulous sights and lively and diverse people India is a place that you will really have to take your time to discover so as to fully appreciate what it has to offer.

Pictured (right): The world famous Rajabai Clock Tower in the heart of Bombay.

India is a complete cultural and sensual overload. Over three million square kilometres of diverse culture and custom come together to make this one of the world's most interesting destinations. The incredible atmosphere, starting in the capital New Delhi and permeating the whole country, makes India is something else.

Agra

Agra is the home of India's most renowned monument: the Taj Mahal. This was built by an Indian emperor in mourning after losing his second wife during childbirth. It was built in memorial to her and his love for her.

The Taj Mahal stands on the banks of the Yamuna river, on a base of marble. The intricate detail incorporated into the structure is astounding, from its impressive architecture to the semiprecious stones set into the marble in ornate patterns. No matter where you view it from, the Taj Mahal is a breathtaking vision.

Bombay

Bombay is the hub of India’s economy. The energy and drive of its inhabitants seems to be fuelled by an unwavering atmosphere of success. When compared to the rest of India, it can almost seem like a different world.

It is the finance capital of the nation, the industrial hub of everything from textiles to petrochemicals, and it's responsible for half of the country's foreign trade. The success here has also had the negative effect of attracting the extremely poor and it is this that continually moulds the image of the city, keeping the minds of the prosperous rooted in their heritage and past.

Try not to be too put off by the city’s reputation for squalor and high accommodation costs as Bombay is safe by all accounts, and has a charm that is at once inexplicable and inescapable.

The nightlife is exceptional, with street parties, shops, bars and more bazaars than can be imagined. If all else fails, it is an excellent place to arrange travel to Goa, which has become a party Mecca for Europeans.

Calcutta

Calcutta extends along the Hooghly River in a haphazard manner. This once sleepy rural settlement became the capital of British India.

Little known to the outside world, however, is the fact that Calcutta is also the intellectual capital of India, and has a thriving political and artistic culture.

The Maidan is the heart of the city, used by the locals for recreational activities such as cricket, football, political debate, yoga and also a public toilet. The huge park also incorporates Fort William, which is still in use today – visitors are only permitted with special permission - and the air of calm is in sharp contrast to the frantic streets that surround. At the southern end of the park you will find the Queen Victoria Memorial and Museum, which are the strongest reminders of the British Raj in the whole of India.

Goa

One of the more idiosyncratic places that India has to offer is Goa. A former Portuguese settlement, this enjoyed great popularity in the 60s amongst free-loving hippies. A laid-back atmosphere is entrenched here. Although the hippies are long gone, the have been replaced by backpackers and package tourists.

Goa's appeal is that it is small enough to be comprehensively explored whilst still remaining diverse and interesting. This is encapsulated by a liberal attitude that those from western culture can easily relate to.

Kerala

Kerala is a state on the south-west coast of India. The port city of Kochi is a remarkable hybrid of Portuguese, English and Dutch influences with a complex network of lakes, rivers and canals linking to the coast.

Kovalam is the most popular beach destination in southern India, and the relaxed and non-tourist centred nature of the village makes it as attractive to the local as to the visitor.

New Delhi

New Delhi is, despite being the capital, only the third-largest city in India. It is home to fine monuments from the Moghul Empire and the British Raj, whilst at the same time one of the busiest places for overseas arrivals due to its proximity to the much-visited cities of Agra and Jaipur.

Dehli itself has two distinct sides to it. Old Delhi is the former capital of Muslim India and is the site of many amazing mosques, monuments and forts. The tall walls of the Red Fort are still visible above the rooftops and chaos below, reminding all of its impressive mogul past. The largest mosque in India is Jama Masjid and is to be found in Old Delhi. Its courtyard is capable of holding some 25,000 worshippers.

New Delhi is the construct of the British Raj. It is lined with imposing buildings, floral parks and trees overhanging the streets. The sense of order is immediately apparent and is in direct contrast to the lack of it in Old Delhi. The hub of New Delhi is Connaught Place where the travel industry has its base, as do the major international banks. Accommodation here is varied and the quality is reflected in the price.

New Delhi is also home to what may be the world's only museum dedictaed to the lavatory: the

Rajasthan

Rajasthan is better known as the Land of Kings and typifies all that is beautiful about India. It is the home of the warrior tribes who have controlled this area for a thousand years or more. The Rajputs, as the locals are known, have a chivalrous code of honour similar to that of the medieval knights of Europe.

The varied history of the area is highlighted by the ruins of the forts and the grandeur of the glorious palaces. These interesting and beautiful sites are set against a harsh landscape, but that does not mean that the people mirror the terrain: bright turbans, mirrored skirts and ornate jewellery are prevalent amongst these interesting people. The contrast of colour and styles give this area a magic and mystery that cannot be found anywhere else in India.

The Himalayas

The Indian Himalayas are in sharp contrast to the climate and sights to be found in the rest of India. For a start, the air here feels much less oppressive, the sweltering heat and sticky humidity found elsewhere is replaced with fresh mountain air. The local people are to be found dotted between the valleys and peaks, carving out a spartan existence in the habitable parts of the terrain.

In their culture, the mountains are believed to be the dwellings of the gods, and the scenery the traveller encounters reinforces the sense of this.

The mountains themselves mark a boundary for the three main Indian cultures: the Kashmir Himalayas are the cultural boundary of Islam; the foothills of Jammu, Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh define the northern limits of Hinduism; while Ladakh is the Indian outpost of Buddhism.

It is due to the Himalayas being both a literal and cultural barrier that military roadblocks litter the passes, preventing access to parts region to travellers. The parts that are accessible give the opportunity to see great views and take incredible journeys, whilst offering an insight into life in the largest of the Earth’s mountain ranges.

For more information viti the website of Incredible India - the official tourism 'site of the INdian Ministry of Tourism for the Government of India.

From London to Delhi is 9 hours, to Calcutta is 12 hours, to Chennai is 12 hours 30 minutes and to Mumbai is 9 hours.

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