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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]"I think the main issue with India is it is so NOT like the US, but it’s not pretty and familiar like Europe or clean and glamorous the way many of the Eastern Asian countries are, and a lot of American really just can’t cope with it. Like they just do not know how to process everything going on there at all times."

Maybe part of the problem is wherever the pretty parts are are hard to get to then? I mean obviously the Taj Mahal was beautiful - but just outside and around it was the same run-down, extremely poor environments that seemed everywhere. And yes I stayed at a fancy hotel while there (which was lovely) and ate at some expensive restaurants. But the main reasons I disliked it was that everything just was kind of ugly and trash-filled or barren looking everywhere I was. Now, I imagine the whole country is NOT like that but I have no idea where the scenic parts are and maybe it's just hard to get to them vs. other countries' scenic parts?

Also, I don't love going spots where I don't feel safe walking around. I did not think I'd be safe just walking around myself in daytime while there. [/quote]

Maybe. I only stayed in a “luxurious” hotel in Delhi. I rode buses to Rishikesh and stayed in a very basic but perfectly serviceable hotel. Rode more buses and jeeps to the Himalaya and trekked , seeing many smaller towns and villages and some breathtaking views. I’m not sure the “only do India in luxury” opinion that’s popular on this thread is accurate- you do miss a lot of the country that way. [/quote]

I posted a few pages ago, my parents are Indian immigrants. I grew up going every year as a kid and have been back a few times as an adult. I’m not typically a luxury traveler and often stay in basic no-frills hotels, use public transportation, etc., when I go abroad. I do generally agree with the idea that when you see a destination in only an extremely luxurious way, staying at fancy places and eating fancy food and having private transport everywhere, you lose some of the real flavor of a place.

But the type of travel you’re describing (specifically in India) is basically adventure travel for Western tourists. The basic level of infrastructure, cleanliness, amenities, etc., that an American tourist would expect isn’t really there consistently outside of luxury hotels, and without a local advising you there’s really no good way to pick out the gems.

Then you run into other stuff, like the highways aren’t the safest for long-distance car travel. Vehicles (like buses, etc.) aren’t particularly clean or comfortable. Hygiene practices at restaurants catering to middle-class locals are questionable and could very likely cause food poisoning. There are just so many issues that your typical UMC American tourist (the DCUM demographic) traveling to India wouldn’t really be equipped or want to deal with on a vacation that’s supposed to be fun and relaxing. I totally get that, and I don’t either. So I always recommend luxury hotels/restaurants/activities to friends considering India.

There are countries where traveling like a local is worth it, but I don’t think India is one of them (at least, for the majority of tourists). [/quote]

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