Hey, All. I'll explain first: I love the off-the-beaten path, adventurous travel, have lived and studied abroad and have certainly had my fair of wonderful and crazy travel experiences. In fact, I've worked as a flight attendant for the past 12 years.
However, I'd like to travel with my 72 year old father to India and see a few highlights -- comfortably. Crazy, huh? = )
He's in good heath, but walks a bit slower because of painful arthritic ankles. I want comfortable and clean hotels, as he is easily impressed with and highly appreciative of a bit of modern luxury and I don't mind paying for it for quite possibly our most wonderful Dad/Daughter vacation ever.
All I know as of yet is that I want to see the Taj Majal with him, and I want to do as much 'homework' about the trip to make it as comfortable, enjoyable, mind-blowing and non-stressful trip for him as possible. I love opening his eyes to new worlds, but I like to do all of the grunt-work of pre-planning so that I can provide for him the most seamless experience possible. I guess I like playing 'travel agent.'
I'm thinking end of April/ beginning of May. Maybe 10 days tops, which includes travel days. We'll be flying standby on whatever airline -- that isn't a problem as I work in the airline industry and can travel for next to nothing. What I'm looking for is 'must see' spots or tips on a 'touristic' trip which would include the Taj Mahal. Any and all recommendations are welcome, either here or in a personal message. Thank you!
However, I'd like to travel with my 72 year old father to India and see a few highlights -- comfortably. Crazy, huh? = )
He's in good heath, but walks a bit slower because of painful arthritic ankles. I want comfortable and clean hotels, as he is easily impressed with and highly appreciative of a bit of modern luxury and I don't mind paying for it for quite possibly our most wonderful Dad/Daughter vacation ever.
All I know as of yet is that I want to see the Taj Majal with him, and I want to do as much 'homework' about the trip to make it as comfortable, enjoyable, mind-blowing and non-stressful trip for him as possible. I love opening his eyes to new worlds, but I like to do all of the grunt-work of pre-planning so that I can provide for him the most seamless experience possible. I guess I like playing 'travel agent.'
I'm thinking end of April/ beginning of May. Maybe 10 days tops, which includes travel days. We'll be flying standby on whatever airline -- that isn't a problem as I work in the airline industry and can travel for next to nothing. What I'm looking for is 'must see' spots or tips on a 'touristic' trip which would include the Taj Mahal. Any and all recommendations are welcome, either here or in a personal message. Thank you!
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Los Angeles
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Re: Touristic India: Let Me Explain!
Wed, March 19, 2008 - 1:19 PM
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Re: Touristic India: Let Me Explain!
Wed, March 19, 2008 - 1:52 PMYou might want to plan a longer trip. As we get older, it takes longer to recuperate from jet lag. It might be wise to allow a couple of days at least for his lying around, taking it easy, and regaining energy. Also, buliding rest days into your itinerary might be appreciated, especially if he has trouble sleeping and can't on those overnight bus and train trips that are so common in India.
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Re: Touristic India: Let Me Explain!
Wed, March 19, 2008 - 3:07 PMmost people do the "Golden Triangle" between delhi, agra (the taj), and jaipur. jaipur fort is really cool. there are definitely must see's around agra as well, fatepur sikri (sp?) on the way from delhi to agra is a definite must. there are many things in delhi that are must see, humayan's tomb, jantar mantar, the qutub minar, the jama masjid mosque. -
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Re: Touristic India: Let Me Explain!
Wed, March 19, 2008 - 3:10 PMi would say you certainly need a day each, plus another day of total travel time between them. there are very nice hotels in all three places, and very nice hotels in india are still dirt cheap. for $150 a night you can get an amazingly beautiful hotel. i did that once when i was travelling in india just to have a break and it was loooovely. normally i spent 4-5 on a hotel room and i splurged and spent 80 and it was totally worth it to go swimming in a nice pool. heh.
i would say you have time to do maybe one other outing outside of those three in ten days. maybe deeper into rajasthan would be best, to johdpur where they have a really nice fort, or udaipur where they have the lake palaces, though when i was there the lake was dry. the other alternative i would suggest would be varanasi.
you'll definitely be centered in and around delhi if the main thing you intend to see is the taj.
don't let any poo poo the taj by the way. it really is absolutely incredible. totally worth its reputation imnsho. -
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Re: Touristic India: Let Me Explain!
Wed, March 19, 2008 - 3:12 PMthough yeah, maybe just sticking to the three would be best. as keeping things relaxed and slow would be best for stressful. i would definitely NOT recommend any overnight travel in india for an older person trying to relax. -
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Re: Touristic India: Let Me Explain!
Wed, March 19, 2008 - 3:55 PMoh. keep in mind though that it will be extremely hot in that part of india at that time of the year. -
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Re: Touristic India: Let Me Explain!
Wed, March 19, 2008 - 7:35 PMPerfect! If that's not the best time of year to visit the Taj Majal then that solves my problem: another big event (well, two) is happening that same month that I'd really like to attend... so uh... I can do my homework, but you guys seems to know your stuff...
When is the best time to do that 'Touristic Triangle'? Though I've chosen a low-income career (seriously), it's phenomenal for flexibility of scheduling fantastic trips, and the airfare ain't so bad, either. = )
And thank you very much for responding! -
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Re: Touristic India: Let Me Explain!
Wed, March 19, 2008 - 7:36 PMthe *Golden* Triangle, that is = )
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Re: Touristic India: Let Me Explain!
Wed, March 19, 2008 - 9:37 PMummmm... oh i don't know. it depends on how much heat you can stand. the rains are from june/july-aug/sep or so. it gets fairly cold in dec/jan but not too cold. i would say that the most tolerable is probably feb-march. right after the monsoon but before it gets too cold is fine. like august/november.
and i dunno. april/may is dry. just very hot.
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Agra
Thu, March 20, 2008 - 11:38 AMAgra can be a day trip from Delhi either by car taxi or by train. I think its a 4 or 5 hour trip if you go by car. The scenery along the way isn't much. Small villages, some industrial areas, a couple temples and lots of dust!
In Agra, check out the Cultural Center where you can watch craftspeople do marble inlay which the area is famous for. Also, Agra Fort if you have time. The Taj might be a lot of walking for your dad but there are places to sit and rest if necessary. Take plenty of water with you.
Delhi has some nice shopping areas. I've only been to Connaught Circle and that is pretty touristy. Do venture over to the Parliament square and the India Gate monument. The government buildings are neat to see, especially at sunset. I also enjoyed the Indira Gandhi memorial museum, Qatub Minar and the Red Fort.
As far as hotels, I stayed at a 5 star Marriott in New Delhi and it was really, really nice. Too bad I was only there one night. It was at the end of a 3-week trip and by then, I looked forward to being pampered!
Sorry, I have not been to Jaipur or Varanasi so I can't comment.
Have fun on your trip!
