Ever since I started living/traveling in Europe, and started meeting people interested in travel, they get delighted when I mention I'm from India. This has happened way too many times which prompted me to write this post!
2 situations are super common (1) Yes, I've been to India, and seen the Golden Triangle of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. (2) No, but I want to visit India and thinking of starting from Delhi...
Here's the thing - India is huge!!!! Like huge!!! With the known issues of the popularly used map projections, it 'looks' small! The size of India is 3.287 million sqkm and size of Europe is 10.18 million sqkm. Europe/USA is only 3 times bigger than India......... so........ one third of European countries put together is - India!
So.... whatever question you have about India - compare it with whole of Western/Central/Eastern Europe and not just one country of Europe - and you might get an idea! So yeah - Cuisine? The difference between North & South India is as vast as the difference between the cuisine of Belgium & Italy! More often than not, many would have tasted Indian cuisine at a friend's place or a restaurant. Then again, here's the thing - India is vast! North Indian cuisine & South Indian cuisine are vastly different. North Indian cuisine & Pakistani cuisine are more similar than South Indian cuisine! Ofcourse there are special cuisine of each & every state & community - we are 28 states & 8 union territories! If you entered a random Indian restaurant in Europe, its most likely a North Indian restaurant and likewise, if you entered a randon Indian restaurant in Middle East & Singapore, its most likely a South Indian restaurant. It primarily boils down to where the Indian diaspora living there came from!!!
Safety? Men? Well.... Its a problem of percentage with International news channels - let's talk real numbers... With world's 2nd largest population, we are 1.3 billion people! Assuming half of it is men, that's 650 million! Even if there are 1 million bad men, there are still 640 million good men who would ignore you normally and help you if needed! The common sense of safety is very much needed and there are some precautions that you'd have to exercise. India may not be the safest country but there are 640,000,000 good men in India....
So.................
Here's your barest minimal, basic 3-week India itinerary.
Begin with south of India. Why south? Its calmer with less tourist traps than New Delhi or Rajasthan or Agra which have been 'tourist destinations' since very long time.
Land in Bangalore or Chennai or Cochin and see the other 2. Here's what you have to see here -
Land in Bangalore or Chennai or Cochin and see the other 2. Here's what you have to see here -
2 Days:Hampi (close to Bangalore airport) - for historic, 14th C city in ruins
3 Days: Backwaters of Kerala& get some Ayurvedic massage (close to Cochin airport)
2 Days:Mahabalipuram (close to Chennai airport) - Rock-cut 8th C CE monuments
(optional 2 Days: Tanjavur & Gangai Konda Cholapuram (close to Trichy airport or overnight train from Chennai) - Living temples built in 11th C CE.)
Then fly to NewDelhi and do the usual Golden Triangle tour
5 Days - New Delhi, Agra (for Taj Mahal) and Jaipur (called Pink City for its gorgeous Rajasthani palaces)
Note: I haven't mentioned Day 1-2, I've mentioned 2 days, meaning, I've ignored time for rest or travel. Will add it up as a bulk later. Check below....
Pic Courtesy: By Karthick - Own work via Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Our doctrines include 'Atithi Devo Bhava' which means Guest is equal to God and 'Vasudeva Kutumbakam'which means The whole world is One Family! Welcome to our Incredible India!!!