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Travel information and tips on India including passport information, accommodations, transportation
to and in India, attractions and things to see and do, restaurant suggestions, tours, and much more.
General
Information on India
For travel and tourism information on India, visit the
Government
of India Tourist Office or call 212-586-4901.
Fabulousindia.com - The large country of India
lies in the region between Pakistan, China and Nepal in southern Asia. In the
northern regions, it is bordered by the world’s highest mountain chain, while
further south, the land is covered with plateaus, tropical rain forests and
sandy, windswept deserts. Its ocean borders are lined with palm trees and lovely
beaches. India’s history dates back to 3,200 BC when the first wisps of Hinduism
were born. Today, India has followers of Buddhism Jainism, Sikhism, Judaism,
Zoroastrianism, Christianity and Hinduism exist side by side. Because the
country is so big, it has a diffuse history and lots of things to see. Find out
more about India at
http://www.fabulousindia.com
Passports and Visas
Currency Information and Money
Matters
Language
Travel Etiquette
for India
Electricity
Travel Insurance
Travel Warning
The following information was taken from the CIA World Fact Book.
(https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/print/in.html)
Aryan tribes from the northwest infiltrated onto the Indian subcontinent about
1500 B.C.; their merger with the earlier Dravidian inhabitants created the
classical Indian culture. The Maurya Empire of the 4th and 3rd centuries B.C. -
which reached its zenith under ASHOKA - united much of South Asia. The Golden
Age ushered in by the Gupta dynasty (4th to 6th centuries A.D.) saw a flowering
of Indian science, art, and culture. Arab incursions starting in the 8th century
and Turkic in the 12th were followed by those of European traders, beginning in
the late 15th century. By the 19th century, Britain had assumed political
control of virtually all Indian lands. Indian armed forces in the British army
played a vital role in both World Wars. Nonviolent resistance to British
colonialism led by Mohandas GANDHI and Jawaharlal NEHRU brought independence in
1947. The subcontinent was divided into the secular state of India and the
smaller Muslim state of Pakistan. A third war between the two countries in 1971
resulted in East Pakistan becoming the separate nation of Bangladesh. India's
nuclear weapons testing in 1998 caused Pakistan to conduct its own tests that
same year. The dispute between the countries over the state of Kashmir is
ongoing, but discussions and confidence-building measures have led to decreased
tensions since 2002. Despite impressive gains in economic investment and output,
India faces pressing problems such as significant overpopulation, environmental
degradation, extensive poverty, and ethnic and religious strife.
India's diverse economy encompasses traditional village farming,
modern agriculture, handicrafts, a wide range of modern industries, and a
multitude of services. Services are the major source of economic growth,
accounting for more than half of India's output with less than one third of its
labor force. About three-fifths of the work force is in agriculture, leading the
United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government to articulate an economic reform
program that includes developing basic infrastructure to improve the lives of
the rural poor and boost economic performance. The government has reduced
controls on foreign trade and investment. Higher limits on foreign direct
investment were permitted in a few key sectors, such as telecommunications.
However, tariff spikes in sensitive categories, including agriculture, and
incremental progress on economic reforms still hinder foreign access to India's
vast and growing market. Privatization of government-owned industries remains
stalled and continues to generate political debate; populist pressure from
within the UPA government and from its Left Front allies continues to restrain
needed initiatives. The economy has posted an average growth rate of more than
7% in the decade since 1997, reducing poverty by about 10 percentage points.
India achieved 8.5% GDP growth in 2006, and again in 2007, significantly
expanding production of manufactures. India is capitalizing on its large numbers
of well-educated people skilled in the English language to become a major
exporter of software services and software workers. Economic expansion has
helped New Delhi continue to make progress in reducing its federal fiscal
deficit. However, strong growth combined with easy consumer credit and a real
estate boom fueled inflation concerns in 2006 and 2007, leading to a series of
central bank interest rate hikes that have slowed credit growth and eased
inflation concerns. The huge and growing population is the fundamental social,
economic, and environmental problem.
Passports and Visas
You will need a passport, and perhaps a visa.
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Passport Visa Express specializes in
obtaining Passports for United States Citizens who wish to travel
internationally within the next 30 days. We work directly with the U.S.
Passport Agency assisting you in expediting your passport application in
as fast as the same day! Our passport consultants have many years of
direct experience working with the Passport Agency. |
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Currency Information and Money Matters
The official currency is the Indian rupee (INR).
Indian rupees per US dollar - 41.487 (2007), 45.3 (2006), 44.101 (2005), 45.317
(2004), 46.583 (2003).
Currency
Exchange - Get your currency needs managed in advance! Many airports,
railroad stations, bus depots, and other points of entry have no currency
exchange. When currency exchange is available in airports, lines can be long and
rates can be "sky high". These long waits and usurious fees can be a
nightmare. Order in advance from
All
Foreign Currency right online. It's fast, easy, and you save time and
money! The can also provide you with Travelers' checks, bank drafts, and
transfers. U.S. dollars are not accepted everywhere and rates can be atrocious! Current Exchange Rate:
Check Today's Exchange Rate
Language
English enjoys associate status but is the most
important language for national, political, and commercial communication; Hindi
is the national language and primary tongue of 30% of the people; there are 21
other official languages: Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Kannada,
Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya,
Punjabi, Sanscrit, Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu; Hindustani is a
popular variant of Hindi/Urdu spoken widely throughout northern India but is not
an official language.
I have found that it helps to know at least a
little bit of the language as I travel in other countries. You do not have to be
able to be a fluent speaker, but knowing a few key words and phrases will really
help. I have found that, although almost everywhere I go I can find someone who
speaks English, knowing just a few words of the local language can really be a
help. And, it lets others know I am at least interested in their language. Visit
the Getting Away Language
Learning Center where you can find out how to learn another
language, or where to purchase books, dictionaries, electronic translators,
software and more
Click here for language
helps, dictionaries,
electronic translators,
language software and other helps for learning
a foreign language. Being able to speak at least some of the language in the
country you are visiting will help you have a better time and enjoy your trip
more. Jim.
Travel
Etiquette
Behavior and customs vary greatly from country to country. We
discuss the correct travel etiquette so that you won't be caught out.
TravelEtiquette was formed to offer a unique reference
point on essential etiquette advice and information for worldwide
travel. Our features and articles are written by professional
journalists and experts - who have a particular interest, or a
background in this area. So – know before you go. Visit
TravelEtiquette so you will know how to, as the old adage states, “When in Rome,
do as the Romans do.”
Electricity
Be sure to take your adaptor and converter kit. Find the converter you will need in the
Getting Away
Travel Store. Additionally, you will find just about anything and
everything you will need when you travel. Across the state, country, or
to a destination on the other side of the world, you'll find what you
need in the Getting
Away Travel Store!
Travel
Insurance
If you need medical
care while you are away, it is best to be aware that medical providers may not
accept payment through your insurance company and that you will therefore to pay
in full for your treatment and file a claim with your insurance company for
reimbursement. Therefore you should have access to cash, either from a credit
card or by wire transfer. If you need assistance contact the country's local
embassy or representative. For compensation, you must be treated by licensed
medical personnel and provide your insurance company with proper documentation
and receipts. It is advisable to always ensure you have a comprehensive travel
insurance policy which covers you for repatriation to your home country. Visit
the Getting Away
Health
and Safety Tips for Travelers
page for additional information about insurance.
Travel Warning
Travel Warnings are issued to
describe long-term, protracted conditions that make a country dangerous or
unstable. A Travel Warning is also issued when the U.S. Government's ability to
assist American citizens is constrained due to the closure of an embassy or
consulate or because of a drawdown of its staff. The countries listed below
meet those criteria. Additionally, the State Department issues
Country Specific Information for every
country of the world with information on such matters as the health conditions,
crime, unusual currency or entry requirements, any areas of instability, and the
location of the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in the subject country. Check with the U.S. State Department for
Travel Warnings, Consular Information Sheets & Public
Announcements.
Books, Maps and Other Resources
My favorite guidebooks when I am traveling is
Fodor's. I find them to be quite complete, easy to use, and almost always on the
money with helps and tips for traveling in the country I am visiting. Click on
Fodor's Travel Guides
to find the perfect guidebook for your travels.
Click here for language
helps, dictionaries,
electronic translators,
language software and other helps for learning
a foreign language. Being able to speak at least some of the language in the
country you are visiting will help you have a better time and enjoy your trip
more. Jim.
Medical Tourism India
India Health Visit
We are India’s leading Medical Tourism India service providers
and medical tourism India tour operators. India health visit is one of the
largest Medical tourism India tour operators that has successfully managed and
conducted over thousands of successful medical tourism India visits. To add to
it all those who had a medical India tour with us are healthy and leading a life
full of rejuvenation.
The natural beauty of India fuels rapid recovery and we make it all happen.
We have tie ups with all the major hospitals and medical Institutions in
India that provide Medical Tourism India facilities and being with us you
need not worry for anything. What you need to do is to just contact us and
furnish the essential details and the rest of all will be undertaken by our
dedicated medical tourism India tour experts at India health visit.
http://www.indiahealthvisit.com
-
http://www.123-health-and-beauty.com
|
The latest yet affordable medical facilities in India have made it the
favorite destination for all medical and health tourism.
 |
Getting
To India
For Flights, Hotels, Cars, Cruises,
Vacations, Tours and Travel Deals,
Click on
Global Travel International. If the link
does not work properly, type
www.gettingaway.globaltravel.com
in the address line of your browser.
Tours to and in
India
Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have information you
believe I should add to this section of Getting Away, please contact me.
mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
Delhi
Delhi
Hotels - Make your
reservations in a great hotel in Delhi today and, even better, get great
discounts by reserving through Getting Away!
Click
here for hotels in selected other worldwide locations.
Goa
Mumbai
New Delhi
Panchkula
Adventure Sports India - Enjoy some of the best adventure activities that
India has to offer. From exciting white water rafting in the best rivers of
India to Trekking in the remote and beautiful countryside of India.
A world which is sure to excite you and bring out
the travelers passion in you. We are die hard travelers and explorers with the
sole aim of converting the non believer and initiate them into the amazing and
exciting world of adventure sports. Mother nature has been kind in allowing us
to explore and admire her pristine natural beauty and we in return have
dedicated yourselves to show it to all her admirers. We as a team promise to
make your journey a experience which you would not forget in a hurry. We pride
ourselves in providing the ultimate sweet spots which are off the beaten track.
www.goadventuresports.com
Some
Things To See And Do In India
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trip. |

India - Order FREE Travel Brochure!
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|
Panchkula
Adventure Sports India - Enjoy some of the best adventure activities that
India has to offer. From exciting white water rafting in the best rivers of
India to Trekking in the remote and beautiful countryside of India.
A world which is sure to excite you and bring out
the travelers passion in you. We are die hard travelers and explorers with the
sole aim of converting the non believer and initiate them into the amazing and
exciting world of adventure sports. Mother nature has been kind in allowing us
to explore and admire her pristine natural beauty and we in return have
dedicated yourselves to show it to all her admirers. We as a team promise to
make your journey a experience which you would not forget in a hurry. We pride
ourselves in providing the ultimate sweet spots which are off the beaten track.
www.goadventuresports.com
Tours to and in
India
|
Worldwide Riding Vacations : A
Global Guide - Not just a guide to dude ranches, this handsome
updated edition lists more strenuous and interesting equestrian trips by
continent and then by country. Printed on heavy coated stock and
illustrated with many color photographs, it includes over 100 entries.
Each lists the company, address, phone number, E-mail, FAX, closest
airports, price, and when available. There are descriptions of
accommodations, meals, activities, and the horses and riding equipment, as
well as a list of equestrian travel agencies and associations. British
equestrian writer Ruler writes frequently on riding vacations and is an
amateur horseman. Sacks, a former college professor, now owns a horse
farm. Includes information about riding vacations in India. |

|
Some
Suggestions For Accommodations In India
Taj Mahal, Agra, India
Art Print
Buy at AllPosters.com
For
accommodations in India, click on
City Search for Hotels and Other
Accommodations in India
Delhi
Hotels Make your reservations in a great hotel in Delhi today and,
even better, get great discounts by reserving through Getting Away!
Click here for hotels in selected other
worldwide locations.
|
Asia Rooms,
Asia's leading hotel information and reservation service on Internet, can
offer discounts of up to 75 % from hotels published rates. Getting Away
and
Asia Rooms
have teamed to give you the most powerful search tool for accommodations
and is the leading travel reservation system in Asia, the Pacific, and
Oceania to include Australia, Brunei, Cambodia,
China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar,
New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. For accommodations,
tours, and cruises, check
Asia Rooms
first! |
|
|
Book Hostels
in India Online You can also find a hostel almost
anywhere in the world through Experience Paradise, a partner of Getting
Away. |
 |
Some
Suggestions For Dining In India
Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have information you
believe I should add to this section of Getting Away, please contact me.
mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
Some Favorites
In India
Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have information you
believe I should add to this section of Getting Away, please contact me.
mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
Some
Interesting Links For India
i-to-i
is one of the world’s fastest growing adventure travel
organizations. It is unique as they specialize in TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) training and
volunteer placements overseas. Each year, thousands of
i-to-i volunteers
are literally building bridges among communities and earning respect from some
of the most important care agencies in existence. The examples speak for
themselves. When Save the Children approached
i-to-i for
assistance with their on-going development programmed for Intibucá, one of the
poorest regions in Honduras, they supplied volunteers who are now building homes
and teaching English to the indigenous Lenca people. Along with
India, the also operate in several
other countries including:
Australia,
Bolivia,
China,
Costa Rica,
Ecuador,
Ghana,
Honduras,
Ireland,
Korea,
Mongolia,
Nepal,
South Africa,
Sri Lanka, and
Thailand.
Click here for language
helps, dictionaries,
electronic translators,
language software and other helps for learning
a foreign language. Being able to speak at least some of the language in the
country you are visiting will help you have a better time and enjoy your trip
more. Jim.
Tour India - The Government of
India Tourist Office
Indian Holiday offers some of the best in India travel deals for
tours, travel and holiday packages in India, travel to India and online
reservations for hotels and resorts in India. Step into the world of resplendent
colors, wide-open spaces and exotic cultural treasures. Indian holiday invites
you to a vacation in India. Prepare to be enthralled when you see magnificent
monuments, heritage temples and the vibrant celebrations of Indian festivals on
your Indian Holiday. Be mesmerized by the sight of the ethereal Taj Mahal in
Agra, India. Enjoy an Indian Holiday and your Travel to India full of monuments,
history, culture, festivity and color.
www.indianholiday.com
www.incredibleindia.org
Delhi
Hotels - Make your
reservations in a great hotel in Delhi today and, even better, get great
discounts by reserving through Getting Away!
Click
here for hotels in selected other worldwide locations.
India Business
Etiquette and Culture
- An excellent
guide to business culture and etiquette in India.
Executive Planet™
provides valuable tips on business etiquette, customs and protocol
for doing business worldwide. Our guides are co-authored by
experts in international business etiquette, who are available to
answer your questions on the discussion board.
This guide to India business etiquette and
culture covers many aspects of doing business in India. It is our
goal to provide practical, accurate, and up-to-date tips on India
business culture and etiquette, written by experts in business
consulting in India. We encourage visitors to leave questions or
comments on on our discussion boards, moderated by experts in
intercultural training and business.
Click On: Executive Planet - India
This guide contains the following articles:
Let's Make a Deal - negotiating tactics, the value of connections, recommended
business card style and content, business card protocol, sitting and presenting
yourself in meetings, language for brochures and promotional material, pace of
business, preferred presentation styles, final agreements, thinking styles,
adherence to company policy, and more on India business culture . . . Prosperous
Entertaining - typical mealtimes throughout the day, best venues for business
entertaining, punctuality for social events, dinner table seating etiquette,
mealtime etiquette, importance of alcohol, toasting, guidelines for hosting a
banquet/social event, what foods should be served/avoided, accepting and
declining invitations, and more on India business etiquette. . . Appointment
Alert! - typical vacation times, recommended appointment times, length of the
lunch hour, signals that indicate beginning or end of an appointment, best
arrival time (early, late, right on time), and more on India business culture. .
. Gift Giving - recommended gifts, gifts to avoid, good and bad colors for
wrapping paper, how to present a gift to individuals and groups, guidelines for
receiving gifts, and more on India business culture. . . First Name or Title? -
using titles such as 'Doctor', naming conventions to avoid, when to use first
names, and more. . . Public Behavior - how to greet strangers and introduce
yourself, the rules for men shaking hands with women, acceptable demeanor, rules
for eye contact, gestures/sayings to avoid, and more on India business culture.
. . Business Dress - is dress modest, conservative, etc., specific dress
requirements for men and women, what visitors should wear to social functions,
and more on India business culture. . Conversation - welcome and unwelcome
topics of conversation, the role of compliments, the tone of voice to be used,
whether your hosts are physical or more reserved, and more on India business
etiquette. For additional information, click on
http://www.executiveplanet.com/index.php?title=India.
If you have information
you believe should be added to this page of Getting Away, please contact Jim at
Getting Away.
mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
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