A visit to India is less a holiday and more a journey and whether it’s cultural, historical, spiritual or culinary is up to you. The country covers more than a million square-miles, its landscapes range from dry deserts to lush rainforests and its assorted population speak no less than a thousand different tongues. The country’s fascinating past lives on in ancient forts, holy shrines and marble palaces, whilst its glittering future lies in fast-growing cities like Delhi and Mumbai, which might well be crowded and polluted but also boast some unmissable treasures, not to mention a surprisingly lively nightlife. Indeed it is this incredible diversity that makes India so rewarding, many visitors dipping their toes into its most famous attractions and then coming back again and again to explore it in more depth.

And there’s nothing quite so famous in India as the Taj Mahal. To come to the ancient city of Agra in Uttar Pradesh without seeing the world’s most cherished monument-to-love is almost a crime. Just as mandatory is a trip to the neighbouring state of Rajasthan, a ‘land of kings and princes’ where you can see the fairy-tale palaces, glistening lakes and formidable forts. And as an added treat why not venture out to one of India’s National Parks where luxury safari lodges will introduce you to anything from tigers and leopards to spotted deer and wild dogs.

The southern tip of the country is a total contrast, yet equally mesmerising. Indeed Kerala was cited as one of ten ‘Paradises Found’ by National Geographic Traveler, this land of 44 rivers featuring anything from graceful palms and cascading waterfalls to ancient seaports and remote beaches. This get-away-from-it-all corner of the world is also the kind of place where elephants and tigers roam free and where you can still visit bird sanctuaries and explore scenic hill stations. But if you really want to experience ‘authentic’ Kerala, why not treat yourself to an Ayurvedic session, the ancient Indian science which originated here and which deals with the well-being of the spirit, body and mind. After all enlightenment and India go hand in hand!

WHEN TO VISIT: THE BEST TIME TO VISIT NORTHERN INDIA IS THE COOL SEASON BETWEEN OCTOBER AND FEBRUARY – THE DAYS ARE WARM, DRY AND PLEASANT, BUT NIGHTS CAN BE COLD SO TAKE A FEW EXTRA LAYERS. THE SOUTHERN INDIAN STATE OF KERALA IS AT ITS BEST BETWEEN NOVEMBER TO APRIL AS ALTHOUGH TEMPERATURES ARE GENERALLY HIGH YEAR ROUND, THERE IS LESS RAINFALL NOW. TIGER SIGHTINGS ARE MOST FREQUENT IN MAY AND JUNE IN RANTHAMBORE, WHILST THE SAFARI LODGES IN MADHYA PRADESH ARE CLOSED JULY TO SEPTEMBER DUE TO MONSOON RAINS.

HOW TO VISIT: BRITISH AIRWAYS AND VIRGIN ATLANTIC BOTH OFFER FLIGHTS TO DELHI, FLYING TIME APPROXIMATELY 8½ HOURS. EMIRATES AND QATAR AIRWAYS OFFER FLIGHTS TO COCHIN VIA DUBAI AND DOHA. FURTHER DETAILS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST.