India
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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.
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China Business Etiquette and India
- An excellent guide to business culture and etiquette in
India.
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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.
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.
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
Travel Books 
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I always research the destinations to which I intend to travel with books and maps. I normally use Fodor's as I find their guidebooks very informative and easy to read and understand. Click on the Amazon logo to search for travel books and maps. If you don't find what you are looking for, click on the Getting Away Travel Bookshelf to find some of my favorites! Still can't find what you need? Contact me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com |
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.
| 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.
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At Travelocity, not only can you find the lowest fare or best schedule on over 400 airlines, but Travelocity can often save you up to 20% or More on Airfares. You can also find the Best Car Rental Rates in Top Destinations. You can also find Great Hotel Rates At Top Destinations! And, to save even more, Book Air + Hotel Together and SAVE with Travelocity! You can also find Incredible Deals on the Best Cruises! Remember - Travelocity Always Saves You on Flights, Hotels, Car Rentals, Cruises and More. |
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
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
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Bangalore
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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
Fly with KLM to Bombay from only $1763 return inclusive of taxes and charges.
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
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
Fly with KLM to Delhi from only $1438 return inclusive of taxes and charges.
| My preferred hotel chain is
Marriott |
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.
| My preferred hotel chain is
Marriott |
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
| My preferred hotel chain is
Marriott |
| My preferred hotel chain is
Marriott |
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
Vadodara-Alkapuri
With a location in the heart of the business and
shopping districts, the Hampton by Hilton
Vadodara-Alkapuri hotel puts you in the center of
the commercial hub of the city, near everything this amazing area has to offer.
Our Vadodara hotel is mere minutes from Vadodara Airport (BDQ), large companies,
and Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad University (MSU), one of the bigger universities
in Western India. You won't have to travel far to see the many stunning
attractions in the area. Just minutes from our Vadodara hotel in Alkapuri is the
Baroda Museum and Gallery, one of the most famous museums in India. Our Alkapuri
hotel is also close to many beautiful palaces, including Makarpura and Laxmi
Vilas, not to mention plenty of market places and shops, featuring everything
from handmade items, to upscale fashions. Visit the Hampton by Hilton and
explore the many faces of Vadodara.
For additional
information, or to make reservations, click on Hampton Inn Hotels, or click on
Hilton Hotels Specials and Package Deals and Get Our
Best Rates. Guaranteed.
Some Things To See And Do In India
| At InfoHub, we believe vacation travel should be much more than just flying you to a tropical beach. Since 1996, we at InfoHub have worked hard to bring you the largest specialty travel portal on the Internet. Today, you can find over 20,000 specialty trips on InfoHub.com, covering activities from Artist Workshops to Yoga Retreats. Whatever your special interest is, you will find it right here! Plus trips you never even knew existed! We continue to expand the exciting array of travel options available by adding hundreds of out-of-the-ordinary trips every week! Our goal is to make Infohub.com "The Ultimate Source of Inspiring Travel Ideas" for your next dream trip. | ||
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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. |
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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
| My preferred hotel chain is
Marriott |
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.
Vadodara-Alkapuri
With a location in the heart of the business and
shopping districts, the Hampton by Hilton
Vadodara-Alkapuri hotel puts you in the center
of the commercial hub of the city, near everything this amazing area has to
offer. Our Vadodara hotel is mere minutes from Vadodara Airport (BDQ), large
companies, and Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad University (MSU), one of the
bigger universities in Western India. You won't have to travel far to see
the many stunning attractions in the area. Just minutes from our Vadodara
hotel in Alkapuri is the Baroda Museum and Gallery, one of the most famous
museums in India. Our Alkapuri hotel is also close to many beautiful
palaces, including Makarpura and Laxmi Vilas, not to mention plenty of
market places and shops, featuring everything from handmade items, to
upscale fashions. Visit the Hampton by Hilton and explore the many faces of
Vadodara. For additional
information, or to make reservations, click on Hampton Inn Hotels, or click on
Hilton Hotels Specials and Package Deals and Get Our
Best Rates. Guaranteed.
| 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
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
