India

India is big, and one trip covers only a small part of it. Readers usually come to this section with a destination already chosen and with practical questions: which season to go in, which Goa coast to pick, how to get there and what to prepare for in advance. We have gathered the answers to these questions in one place.

Most of the articles are about Goa. We compare the north and south coasts: the first suits parties, the second suits quiet and family vacations. There is an overview of the beaches, from calm Varca to the kite beach of Ashwem, a piece on getting to the state by direct flight, with a connection, by train or by bus, and a separate article on Goan cuisine. The hotel roundups are sorted by clear criteria: beachfront, beach access, kids' club, private beach. The choice between a guesthouse and a high-category hotel is covered separately.

The second group of articles: cities and events. There are several routes for Kolkata. These are the center with Fort William and the Maidan, the southern part with the Victoria Memorial and Alipore Zoo, a walk through the northern part of the city and Kumartuli, and an overview of the museums and the metro. We write about festivals with a tie to the place: which city to go to for Diwali, where Holi is celebrated in its own way, and what happens at the Pushkar Fair with its camel market and ritual bathing at the ghats.

The third group: seasons and preparation. We explain what the weather is like in January, where to go in the rainy season, which hill stations offer an escape from the summer heat and why the air in Delhi gets worse in the fall. Next to these are texts on trip preparation (visa, water, transport and food), on rules of conduct and on local customs. There are also articles on what surprises visitors, including driving on the left and rupees, and on what to bring back as a gift and what cannot be taken out of the country.

Each article opens with a short conclusion, so the main point is visible right away. Then come the practical blocks: how to get there, where to stay, what to buy in advance, how much time to allow. Every figure has its source stated, and every article carries the date it was checked. We write about the downsides directly. Smog, downpours, heat and noisy beaches are called what they are.

The section is meant for those who plan a trip on their own and want to make decisions before departure. It suits families looking for a hotel by the sea as well as those traveling for a specific festival. It will help less if you want a detailed guide to the whole country: many states and cities are not covered yet. We treat visa, insurance and health questions at the level of "what to look at and where to check", and the exact rules need to be verified against official sources.

A good place to start is the article on trip preparation and the rules of conduct for tourists. Then look at the texts on seasons: they will show whether your dates coincide with rain, heat or smog. After that, choose the place: a Goa coast, Kolkata or the city hosting the festival you want. The hotel roundups are best read last, once the coast is settled.

Everything about the beach state is gathered in the "Goa" subsection. If your travel dates do not match a suitable season, you can compare options in the neighboring sections: "Thailand", "Vietnam", "Indonesia" and "Maldives". The same list includes "Turkey", "United Arab Emirates", "Armenia" and "Azerbaijan". All of them belong to the "Asia" section, and the full list of countries is in the "Destinations" section.

We update the articles. Festival dates, ticket prices and entry conditions change, so we check them against official websites and add the date of the last check. If a text has not been updated for a long time, verify the key details with the stated source before you travel. That way your trip plan rests on current information and not on last year's.