Holiday India

[Astressie]

My daughter recently rang me and asked me to go to India with her. I am so pleased as have wanted to go for years and DH not interested. He hates flying. She has asked me to do the research search. Don't know where to start as India's such a massive country. I would like to travel a bit when we're there and see cities but also countryside. Has anyone got any tips for travel itineraries and also what time of year to go.

Fatehpur Sikri is the obvious place to visit in the vicinity of Agra. Consider Agra Fort and Akbah’s Tomb. The Tourism of India web site also lists good shops for crafts too.

Yes, we absolutely loved Fatehpur Sikri, that was well worth it for us as it was on the drive to Jaipur anyway.

Otherwise with only three days I would drive back to Delhi after the Taj Mahal and spend the next day on an Old Delhi walk in the morning - maybe with the charity mentioned upthread or The Delhi Way do pricey, private but very good tours and then in the afternoon go to Akshardham Temple on the Metro which is spectacular (and free but with very stringent rules on what you can take in so leave everything behind in the hotel!).

In Delhi there is also the Qutub Minar, Humayans Tomb, and the Red Fort. Plus also New Delhi of course.

I did a self planned journey (my Husband spent months researching/booking etc)

Delhi, Jaipur, Rantbambore (Tigers), Agra then Varanasi. All by train.

It has left me completely head over heels in love with the country.

Jennyie1 sounds amazing. You've inspired me!

We went to India last November. Did a stop over in Dubai for two nights on the way because were changing planes there anyway and decided to make it part of the holiday. Flew into Delhi - 3 days there, as part of our Golden Triangle Tour. (Booked ours through Bookmundi online and it was very well arranged.) To be honest with the exception of the Taj Mahal, there's not to much else to see in Agra and I wasn't impressed with the town itself. However loved Jaipur! Wish we had spent longer there. Choose your hotels carefully - we stayed in a wonderful converted palace for a couple of nights and also had some more homely hotels where the food was wonderful. We then flew down to Goa for some R and R on the beach.

Your trip sounds great but if you do decide to add in Goa I agree with @goldpendant stay in Palolem (Ciaren’s). I’ve taken the train down from Mumbai - fabulous!