Family Holiday to India - any tips please?

TwinMum79

That's very interesting brewthebear as you have been there several times at slightly different times of the year.



Vital info and much appreciated :-)

melanzana

You are all going to kill me now..... But I can think of lots of lovely places to go other than India TBH.

Hot, very hot and lots of flies, other insects, and beggars and Delhi Belly all that. I do realise it is a clash of cultures, but some of these sights are just not nice to see either having spent a mint on getting there.

Herded around and did I say already that it is hot, and not terribly hygienic. Kerala was the only place I kind of liked. Even there was not for me though.

Anyway, just a personal opinion. Am sorry if that offends anyone. My experience counts too.

TwinMum79

Nothing wrong with your personal views melanzana

Go on, inspire me...if a big birthday was coming up for you and you wanted to celebrate it with a special family holiday...where would you go?

worried_jim

melanzana wrote: »

You are all going to kill me now..... But I can think of lots of lovely places to go other than India TBH.

Hot, very hot and lots of flies, other insects, and beggars and Delhi Belly all that. I do realise it is a clash of cultures, but some of these sights are just not nice to see either having spent a mint on getting there.

Herded around and did I say already that it is hot, and not terribly hygienic. Kerala was the only place I kind of liked. Even there was not for me though.

Anyway, just a personal opinion. Am sorry if that offends anyone. My experience counts too.

Delhi belly. Lol. I thought Egypt was the worse, then I got to India. Whole new ball game! Easiest 12 kilos I ever lost! All part of the experience.

LadyDee

How about a 2 centre holiday in, say, Italy? A sight-seeing culture-based week, a bit of Italian romance in the evenings with your husband when the children are bed, then a second week more of a beach-type resort, a bit more relaxed and maybe more suitable for the children.

Sorry, but India would probably be such a culture shock for two young boys - maybe better saved until they are a little older and capable of really appreciating the wonders and coping with the less pleasant things they will see, not to mention the food, hygiene, heat.

PompeyPete

LadyDee wrote: »

How about a 2 centre holiday in, say, Italy? A sight-seeing culture-based week, a bit of Italian romance in the evenings with your husband when the children are bed, then a second week more of a beach-type resort, a bit more relaxed and maybe more suitable for the children.

Sorry, but India would probably be such a culture shock for two young boys - maybe better saved until they are a little older and capable of really appreciating the wonders and coping with the less pleasant things they will see, not to mention the food, hygiene, heat.

I'd probably stay closer to home too, who needs long haul when there's so much to discover closer to home.

How about Transylvania, children will love it. Just had almost 3 weeks there, travelling around independently by train. Oh look, here's my trip report...

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5735156/transylvania

Pollycat

Do the 9 years old twins actually want to go to the Golden Triangle?


I'm not sure I'd have been interested at that age.


Having been on an escorted tour (not India) it can be very tiring.

TwinMum79

We are quite independent travellers. We have taken the kids to France, Spain, Italy, Malta and this summer will be Rhodes.

India has always been in our radar but couldn't do it for our honeymoon 11 years ago as we got married at the wrong time of year. Every Saturday is film and homemade curry night and kids love it.

BUT, I get what you are so saying. We are after a wow factor holiday, most probably outside of Europe but that is doable for Easter hols x

Voyager2002

melanzana wrote: »

You are all going to kill me now..... But I can think of lots of lovely places to go other than India TBH.

Hot, very hot and lots of flies, other insects, and beggars and Delhi Belly all that. I do realise it is a clash of cultures, but some of these sights are just not nice to see either having spent a mint on getting there.

Herded around and did I say already that it is hot, and not terribly hygienic. Kerala was the only place I kind of liked. Even there was not for me though.

Anyway, just a personal opinion. Am sorry if that offends anyone. My experience counts too.

I agree that there are many lovely places other than India...


My experience (only in Southern India): I did not see many flies nor other insects, and can only recall one stomach upset in the space of several visits adding up to maybe 11 months (over more than ten years). The problems you mention tend to be more pronounced in the north.

Voyager2002

My top tip: do things independently.


You are likely to have less energy than you expected (because of the heat) and so may prefer to spend the day resting by your hotel pool, and that would be a shame if you had an expensive pre-booked excursion leaving that morning. When you do want to do something it is very easy to hire a car and driver for the day, and a guide as well if you want.


Consider staying in one of the truly five-star hotels, such as those operated by the Taj chain or ICT. Their staff will negotiate good deals for you on things like car hire, and will know who you should trust.