Top Destinations India
India – My Top 8 Destinations
By Brett Fenton
What are the most Popular destinations for flights from the UK to India? The number one destination is Delhi, closely followed by Mumbai. These are the most densely populated cities in the country but are also the principal hubs for connecting to onward travel throughout this vast subcontinent.
Photo: lib.umn.edu
The list of those destinations that feature in my top 8 are as follows:
- Delhi
- Mumbai (Bombay)
- Bangalore
- Chennai
- Hyderabad
- Kolkata (Calcutta)
- Kochi (Cochin)
- Goa
Delhi: is often seen as the gateway into India, but is worth considering as a destination for your holiday. There is much to do in and around the city. Places of interest abound, including museums, ancient monuments and bazaars. In contrast, New Delhi is an ultra modern 21st century city boasting high rises and shopping malls of glass and steel.
Mumbai: Formerly known as Bombay, is the capital of the state of Maharashtra, renamed after the Hindu goddess Mumbadevi in 1995. Located on the southwest of the Indian subcontinent, it was originally a group of separate islands that merged into a single peninsula as land was reclaimed from the sea. Mumbai is the principal city of Western India and is probably the most dynamic and crowded city in India as a whole. Congested with people, the current population is over 16 million and rising rapidly. It has a hot, humid climate that is relieved to some extent between June and September by the arrival of the annual monsoon.
Bangalore: also known as the Garden City of India, is the fifth largest city in India and is the capital of Karnataka. Renowned for its beautiful parks, gardens and tree-lined streets, it is now becoming infamous as ‘The IT Capital of India’ and “The Silicon Valley of India’. Bangalore city is also famous for its nightlife. The trendy discotheques and pubs are making it one of the most “in” places to be in the country.
Chennai: is located on the Bay of Bengal in the South of India, it is an important commercial and cultural centre yet has its own culture very distinct from other cities. Chennai is a calm city that seems to go at it’s own pace, traffic is well managed, it is one of the cleaner cities in India and has some of the best and cheapest shopping. Chennai, being a large commercial city, is the centre of the area’s air, rail and road networks and so can be a good starting point for exploring the south.
Hyderabad: the fifth largest metropolis of India, is the state capital of Andhra Pradesh, known for its rich history and culture. The city is nearly 400 years old and is noted for its natural beauty, its mosques, bazaars, architecture and natural features. It is situated on the top of the Deccan Plateau, 1776 feet above sea level, and covers an area of 100 Sq. miles.
Kolkata: once the capital city of British India, Kolkata or as it was then known Calcutta, was the gateway into India up until 1912. Today it is one of the major metropolitan cities of India consisting of big industrial plants and multi-national companies.
Kochi: Formerly known as Cochin, Kochi, is an important and attractive port city of the area of Kerala, located in the district of Ernakulam. It has many tourist attractions including museums, art galleries and religious places. Many excursions are available to temples, pilgrim centers, tourist spots and places of interest. The Fort Kochi beach is one of the favorite haunts of the locals and tourists alike, soaking up not only the sun but the tranquil atmosphere of the beach.
Goa: is the smallest state in India, thus making it the easiest to explore and with the region’s Portuguese past combined with traditional elements of Indian culture, it has plenty to offer. Goa is a beach lovers paradise, equally perfect for a couple of weeks of winter sun or as a stopover on a backpacking trip around Asia. In addition to its beautiful golden beaches and perfect sea, it has plenty of sights to offer, entertainment to enjoy and a unique cuisine to satisfy even the most seasoned traveler.
Brett has worked and travelled throughout the UK and overseas for the past 40 years. Now semi-retired, he spends much of his time indulging his passion for writing along with travelling and enjoying family life.
To find out more about these top destinations, visit the flights India homepage here:
http://www.flightsindia.co.uk View the map and follow the links for more information.
