{"id":14505,"date":"2019-03-14T14:13:45","date_gmt":"2019-03-14T14:13:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/?p=14505"},"modified":"2023-07-21T10:06:03","modified_gmt":"2023-07-21T09:06:03","slug":"is-travelling-to-india-worth-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archive.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/is-travelling-to-india-worth-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Is India Worth Visiting | 8 Reasons to Visit India | ETG"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Is Travelling to India Worth It?<\/h2>\n

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8 Reasons to Visit India from an India Sceptic<\/b><\/h2>\n

Many travellers are apprehensive about <\/span>travelling to India<\/span><\/a> and don\u2019t think it is worth visiting for a relaxing and adventurous holiday. The scenes depicted on TV and the stereotypes people collect about the country can be off-putting for those used to relaxing beach destinations – and Hazel was one of them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Having heard it was noisy, dirty and busy, Hazel didn\u2019t think that India sounded like a place you could have a relaxing holiday at all. However, her son James is one of the resident India specialists here at ETG \u2013 and he was determined to change her mind.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Suffice it to say she is very, very glad she gave it a go and wants to spread the word about holidays to India, particularly for those fellow India sceptics. \u2026Here are a few reasons why\u00a0<\/span>nervous travellers why they absolutely have to see India for themselves.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_single_image image=”15185″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

1. Push Comfort Zone Boundaries<\/b><\/h3>\n

While holidays should be a time when you can relax and unwind, they should also bring you something new, and visiting India is exactly that. \u201cIt was definitely out of my comfort zone,\u201d Hazel tells me, when I called for a chat a couple of weeks after she returned from her travels in India. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t have chosen it myself. But I knew my husband wanted to, and James said we\u2019d enjoy it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

James didn\u2019t just \u2018say\u2019 they\u2019d enjoy it. James was <\/span>convinced<\/span><\/i> they\u2019d enjoy it. In fact, his parents originally came to him to ask about travelling to Sri Lanka, and James told them, point blank, that they had to go to India instead.<\/span><\/p>\n

DISCLAIMER:<\/b> ETG believes you can have an equally fantastic holiday in Sri Lanka and India. James does not specialise in Sri Lanka and is biased towards his own country of expertise. However, we\u2019ve got to give it to him \u2013 his passion for and knowledge of India is unparalleled. If you are interested in a holiday to India, you need to <\/span>talk to him<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

2. Find the Relaxing Pockets of India<\/b><\/h3>\n

So many of our clients share Hazel\u2019s concerns, and I was curious to know how she got this perception of India. Was it the news, stories from friends? \u201cYes, absolutely. I think it just builds up over time,\u201d she muses. \u201cIt had just never been on the list of places I want to go. I thought, \u2018I want a relaxing holiday,\u2019 and I didn\u2019t think you could get that in India.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Knowing his parents\u2019 limits, James didn\u2019t throw them in at the \u2018deep end\u2019, so to speak. He chose to organise their trip to the sleepy southern state of Kerala, which defies the stereotypical depiction of India. Instead of hectic, Kerala is peaceful; you can have a holiday here that feels exotic, but restorative, calming and connected with nature. \u201cJames said that Kerala was a good introduction to India,\u201d Hazel recalls. \u201cWe started in Cochin, which was great as it\u2019s nothing like the massive cities up north, but still there are so many interesting things to see.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Download your free guide to India<\/b><\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/6″][vc_single_image image=”14517″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/6″][vc_single_image image=”14516″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

3. You Can Escape the Hustle and Bustle<\/b><\/h3>\n

I asked Hazel how she felt when she first landed. \u201cWell, the first day I wanted to go home \u2013 but I think that was just the jet lag!\u201d she laughs. But she soon started to warm to it: \u201cThe first night we went on a sunset cruise, which really helped us get our bearings and the views were just amazing. The next day we did the walking tour around Cochin, which we actually repeated later on because it was just so interesting.\u201d<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

4. Delicious Food Without Delhi Belly<\/b><\/h3>\n

Some travellers tell us they don\u2019t think <\/span>travelling to India<\/span> is worth it because of the prospect of getting ill. However, our clients tell us that poor food hygiene and of course the dreaded <\/span>\u2018Delhi belly\u2019 is largely consigned to history<\/span><\/a>, on ETG holidays at least. Hazel found it much the same: \u201cWe were staying in high-quality accommodation so the meals contained fresh ingredients and it was always clean. The same can be said of the 3 restaurants we ate in \u2013 we were always asked if we wanted to see the kitchens.\u201d In fact, the <\/span>food in India<\/span><\/a> ended up being one of their favourite parts of the experience.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other travellers are worried that poverty in India will be upsetting. However, this was not Hazel\u2019s experience. \u201cWe didn\u2019t see poverty so much as what we\u2019d call a low standard of living,\u201d she describes. This wasn\u2019t by any means something that defined their trip.<\/span><\/p>\n

Watch this video on the three most common travel concerns about India<\/b><\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_single_image image=”14519″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

5. Full of Surprises<\/b><\/h3>\n

The biggest surprise about India? \u201cThe lushness, beauty \u2013 and the peace, really! We went up into the hills and stayed in really fabulous period accommodation, better than anywhere you could have booked yourself. There was such a variety of birdlife and wildlife. I like being surprised, and it was 2 and a half weeks full of surprises.\u201d The fact is that in <\/span>India, safety<\/span><\/a> and serenity are within easy reach.<\/span><\/p>\n

I asked her what her favourite part of the holiday was, and it was almost impossible to say. \u201cEverywhere we arrived we\u2019d think it was lovely and not want to move, then we\u2019d go on to another place and see a new location, a new type of scenery, colours, weather, lushness, flora and fauna \u2013 and the sea! Oh gosh, stepping into the Arabian Ocean and it was warm.\u201d<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

6. Top Notch Hospitality<\/b><\/h3>\n

Another thing that India is famed for is the welcoming nature of the locals around the country. You won\u2019t feel left to your own devices (especially not if you\u2019re travelling with ETG), and the service really is exquisite at all of our <\/span>hand-selected hotels<\/span><\/a> around the country.\u00a0 Hazel even said that \u201cThe people were just so friendly \u2013 we felt very well looked after throughout the trip.\u201d<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_single_image image=”22987″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

7. Serial Visitors Galore<\/b><\/h3>\n

One thing to help convince those nervous to visit is the number of people that go back to India again and again. Now that she\u2019s home, Hazel is already looking forward to her next trip. She\u2019s not the only one who finds travelling to India addictive: \u201cIt was interesting talking to other tourists we met along the way [in Kerala], because we were the only ones who were first-time visitors. People we met had been anywhere between 2 and 17 times, which really shows there is something magical about it.\u201d<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

8. Change Your Point of View<\/b><\/h3>\n

Reflecting on the trip, it seems Hazel feels that India has changed her view of the world back home. \u201cKerala is so lush, the colours, the vibrancy. When you come back everything looks so drab here! It was the perfect antidote to the January blues.\u201d Hazel and David haven\u2019t yet decided on their next destination in India, but they\u2019re happy to leave it to James \u2013 he\u2019s always got something up his sleeve.<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, I asked her what advice she would give to other travellers who don\u2019t think travelling to India is worth it. She didn\u2019t hesitate for a second.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGO!\u201d<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”22988″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

3 Common Concerns about Travelling to India<\/b><\/h2>\n

Even seasoned explorers can be apprehensive about visiting India. We\u2019ve been organising holidays here for years, and in that time, we\u2019ve heard every question and concern in the book. On a research trip to India, Kate created this video to address the 3 concerns we hear most frequently.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=iDWL5JqnEDQ&” align=”center”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

To find out more about holidays to India do get in touch on 0207 924 7133 or fill out an enquiry form here<\/a>. Alternatively, you can head to the\u00a0Experience Travel Group website<\/a> to explore our India holidays in a little bit more depth<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n