Going to India/Goa please help.

jamsandwiches

jebus197 wrote: »

I'm not female.

Sorry sir but still say Varanasi is not the starting place for India - man or woman.

We first started going to Indian in the 80's and did coach tours - the first was the usual Delhi - Agra - Jaipur and thoroughly enjoyed them then branched out on our own after the third one (all different places).
Now know Mumbai very well and love to spend time there every year and feel it is quite safe even after the terrorist happenings.

I think Kerela may the best for you to start with and I would look on the net to see what you can find re yoga hols. Don't be put off by changing planes in - say - Mumbai as staff on airlines like Jet and Kingfisher (main carriers from UK) are very helpful and will guide you very well.

jamsandwiches

Have a look at something like this

http://www.yogaindia.co.uk/siteplan/holidays.htm

This looks good - would not mind going on that

That is the holiday cost plus the flight so I looked at flights from Heathrow to Trivandrum with Southall Travel and this is what they come up with.

http://www.southalltravel.co.uk/pcsouthallflights.aspx?DestinationFrom=LHR&StartDate=23&StartMonth=1110&DestinationTo=TRV&DestTo=TRV&EndDate=07&EndMonth=1210&AdultCnt=1&Childcnt=0&InfantCnt=0&AirLineCode=&Cabin=All&DFLT=false&triptype=ROUNDTRIP&trkid=FS%2010Aug%2014:38:40%20-480-CF


just to give you an idea of the flight price (in November/early December)

Mr_Lahey

Just wondering why the 'no first time visitor' hype about Varanasi?

I was there the other week and explored the whole place including playing cricket with kids on the Ghats to walking pretty much the full length.
My kids and i saw witnessed the open air cremations and saw nothing that would even remotely justify the tag you have given it.

Varanasi



Kerala



They are worlds apart.

Amy83

If you're not so fussed about the beach aspect of it, if you just want it to be beautiful, relaxing and spiritual. Try Risikesh, about 4 hours from Delhi.

It's a beautiful town, perfect for the first time visitor, is pretty quiet, and very spiritual. It's apparently the yoga capital of the world. It's about one of the only places in India that isn't a beach that I can fully relax (and hear myself thing - a treat in India!)

I've not tried any yoga there, but the place is pretty well known for it, and caters from the once a day to the all day every day retreats.

You could always go there for however long you wanted, then fly down to Goa/Kerala for a few days beach at the end?

Amy83

Mr_Lahey wrote: »

Just wondering why the 'no first time visitor' hype about Varanasi?

I agree to a certain extent, Varanasi is an incredible place. But as the OP voiced his concern about taking an indirect flight, it suggests Varanasi might not be the best place for him to start

jebus197

Mr_Lahey wrote: »

Just wondering why the 'no first time visitor' hype about Varanasi?

I was there the other week and explored the whole place including playing cricket with kids on the Ghats to walking pretty much the full length.
My kids and i saw witnessed the open air cremations and saw nothing that would even remotely justify the tag you have given it.

They are world's apart.

In what way? I don't get your point. I am after natural beauty too (and peace, and relaxation) and I just worry that Varanasi might be too much of a culture shock for the entire duration of a 2 week (or perhaps 4 weeks) holiday. I wouldn't mind visiting it for a day or two though, although I doubt I can do everything.

Mr_Lahey

jebus197 wrote: »

In what way? I don't get your point. I am after natural beauty too (and peace, and relaxation) and I just worry that Varanasi might be too much of a culture shock for the entire duration of a 2 week (or perhaps 4 weeks) holiday. I wouldn't mind visiting it for a day or two though, although I doubt I can do everything.

There are few places in India that justify longer than a couple of days. For example Agra needs only a day or two, Varanasi can easily be done in 2 days.
When sight seeing you pretty much see what you want to and move on. For me the relaxing places are where i tend to linger and Kerala is just like that.
Think Bob Marley and sipping Happy Lassi into the early mornings surrounded by coconut trees and the surf hitting the shores. Thats Kerala. Think dance music and chavs en masse firing back Carling and thats Goa.

jebus197

Then Kerala wins. Especially with some of the package deals I've seen for Kerala. Lots of organised excursions and activities, well catered for - and also probably equally importantly, other people to share your experiences with.

jamsandwiches

Have a good time what ever your choice. :j

Rosie75

Karnataka (the between Goa and Kerala) is also very beautiful and relaxing, though perhaps more suited for a touring holiday (incredible temples, maharaja's palaces, wildlife reserves, spice and coffee plantations, beach) than a retreat. The hotels and homestays that I've used there are usually run by Indians rather than expats, giving a more authentic experience of India than that you are likely to encounter in Goa (you're also more likely to come across Indian than Western tourists and, consequently, there's none of the hassle you get from hawkers and touts in some other areas of India). You can also fly direct from the UK to Bangalore.
ETA: my dad's family originate from Goa - many of them won't go back there because they believe it's been so spoilt by tourism (not just beer-swilling Brits, but also problems with Russian maf!a and Israelis partying after completing national service and treating the locals like dirt).