A country of 1.3 billion people and 1.3 million square miles can never be seen in one trip – or even in several. Best to select a target and enjoy the carnival of colour and controlled chaos which defines it – Delhi with its Victorian architecture; Goa and its lovely beaches; rising Kolkata (Calcutta) with a food scene that surprises; calmer Kerala, all waterways and houseboats in the dreamy south; glorious Rajasthan with its temples and palaces in Jaipur and Jodhpur. Even these only scratch the surface of a truly sensational destination.
Must see: India's biggest and most populous metropolis, Mumbai lives up to its image as a maze of culture, clutter and charm. This is the glamorous home of Bollywood, but my lasting memories of the city are more humble – shopping for shirts and saris in Colaba, drinking tea in Iranian cafe Britannia & Co, savouring the sunset upon Chowpatty Beach.
Santana Beach Resort is a charming family-run hotel and a popular choice with British holidaymakers. Perfect for beach lovers, the hotel enjoys direct access to the golden sands of Candolim Beach, where the coastline stretches as far as the eye can see.
