By Katy A seasoned budget traveller, Editor Katy has already been to every country in the EU, and is gradually ticking off the rest of the world - when she can bear to leave her cats.

By March, we’ve usually all got an idea of where we’re going this year. Big trips, at least—I find there’s always room for an extra weekend getaway if there are any pennies left in the piggy bank come October. But it’s in these early months that the year’s true destination trends come to light. And apparently, 2024 is the year that everyone wants to go to India.

The JFC Travel Community over on Facebook has been abuzz with questions about visiting the Taj Mahal, must-see destinations outside the Golden Triangle, whether to join a group tour, and more. It’s a huge country, so understandably there are a lot of things to consider.

As well as gathering excellent tips that members like you have been sharing, I took this as a sign to grill Flight Finder Lauren, who visited India last year, and Mumbai-native Kiran, from our Marketing team. We’d be here all day if we tried to cover everything, but here are some of the best nuggets of wisdom for your next trip to India!

The Golden Triangle

It only seems right to start with the country’s most famous site, the Taj Mahal. As one of the modern 7 Wonders of the World, it’s usually at the top of any visitor’s list. But you don’t travel all that way just to see one thing and leave, and that’s where the so-called “Golden Triangle” comes in.

The established tourist route includes the home of the Taj Mahal, Agra, the city of Jaipur, and the country’s capital, New Delhi, which, somewhat confusingly, is a district within the megacity of Delhi. Convenient air connections mean most people begin their trip in Delhi, just like our very own Lauren:

“It felt like the perfect place to start, and we really got thrown straight into the action. And by that, I mean our airport taxi picked us up, then sped off, weaving between zigzagging tuktuks. At one point, he missed his turning because he was going 70mph and decided to reverse at speed down a packed dual carriage way.

But aside from all the expected chaos, I was particularly surprised by the amount of peaceful areas in the city. Lodhi Garden was one of my favourite parks, with beautiful tombs, picnicking families, and yoga schools.”

Most of that chaotic energy can be found in Old Delhi, where livestock, vehicles, and street food vendors all weave frantically between one another. It’s an assault on your senses that you have to experience at least once, if only to see spots like the Red Fort and Jama Masjid. You can claim back a little breathing room by visiting early in the day.

You’ll no doubt be lured in by some seriously appetising smells as you move through the streets, all the while trying to silence concerns about getting sick. Instead of avoiding the street food altogether, JFC-er Judith recommends this Old Delhi street food tour. Or for a spot of luxury, treat yourself to a fancy dinner at Haveli Dharampura like member Louise.

On now to Agra, and the thing we’ve all been waiting for—the Taj Mahal. You can absolutely do it under your own steam, but to get the most out of your visit, members recommend hiring one of the government-certified guides waiting outside.

Once again, visiting early tends to be the best way to avoid huge crowds, although sunrise is a popular time to get the classic Taj picture. Don’t try to wait for a moment without other people in the background, that time is unlikely to come!

Lauren’s top-Taj-tip is to take the Taj Nature Walk for a bit of calm and some excellent viewpoints, where the Taj Mahal peaks out from behind the trees. Alternatively, hop in a tuktuk and ask to be taken to the Taj Mahal viewpoint across the river for shots with fewer photobombers.

Aside from the main attraction, our members give Agra mixed reviews. Some say it’s best to see the Taj and then move on, while others recommend giving yourself at least two nights—one full day—in order to comfortably fit in a sunrise/sunset visit as well as other sites.

If you opt to stay, the gardens (and wildlife) surrounding the intricately designed Tomb of I’timad-ud-Daulah (aka the Baby Taj) are a dreamy spot to explore. Agra’s own Red Fort is another great example of Mughal architecture, even better preserved and more accessible than its namesake in Delhi.

Around 25 miles from Agra, the fortified ancient city of Fatehpur Sikri is often missed off tight schedules. It’s easy to spend a day here, soaking in the grandeur of the palace buildings, mosque and pavilions, which were designed as the first permanent Mughal settlement.

For those who’ve had enough of the red sandstone, it’s on to Jaipur, which, in Lauren’s words, “is nothing short of a Wes Anderson fever dream. Plenty of salmon pink shades and pristine symmetry.” It is called the “Pink City” after all.

While Jaipur may not be as hectic as Delhi on the whole, it’s still a very busy place, so allow yourself a couple of days there, too. As well as the essential visit to the Amber Fort (ooh, a new colour of fort!), Lauren recommends making time to see the Patrika Gate, and its daily musical fountain show, and the iconic Hawa Mahal palace.

You can spend hours just photographing the colourful buildings as you walk onwards to the City Palace (if you’ve not already had your fill of palaces!) and then to the incredibly cool astronomical observatory Jantar Mantar. Round it all off by heading up to Nahargarh Fort at the end of the day for sunset views over the city.

To take it all in at a different pace, our JFC community recommend joining a bicycle tour. The local guides carefully plan routes to avoid the busiest roads and times of day, so it’s safer than you’d expect (and helmets are included). Plus, they know all the best street food spots to keep you energised!

Where to next?

So now you’ve covered the three main stops on the Golden Triangle, you’ve got two options—head back to Delhi and catch a flight home, or… see more! The country really is vast, so Kiran recommends thinking hard about what kind of trip you’re looking for. After all, India has way more to offer than just the big names.

From Jaipur, venturing further into the state of Rajasthan makes a good focus for a varied trip. A few hours south of the Pink City, Ranthambore National Park is considered one of the best wildlife reserves in the country, especially for spotting tigers. You’ll find plenty of Golden Triangle tours that offer it as an optional extra, or you can book a safari through the park website and make your own way there.

Or you could aim to complete the Rajasthan rainbow. For temples, lakes, a walled city and more blue than Smurf Forest, head to Jodhpur. Or venture east, out into the Thar Desert, and you’ll find the Golden City of Jaisalmer, complete with stunning cenotaphs. Then there are the reds and purples of Bikaner’s palatial retreats, and the white of “City of the Lakes”, Udaipur.

Anyone looking for a touch more green should really head further south. Mysuru and Bengaluru are famed for their green spaces and gardens, and make good bases for exploring the national parks of Karnataka state. Basically, it’s safari and waterfall central down there!

Kerala is one of Kiran’s favourite areas for a tropical getaway. The state is famous for its palm-lined beaches, spice plantations and mountainous landscapes, as well as the ayurvedic massages and great coastal resorts.

That said, if it’s beaches you’re after, Goa is the place to… go-a. Here’s what Lauren had to say:

“While researching for my trip, I heard that north Goa was all about the partying and south Goa was more of a chilled vibe, so I chose chilled and went south. It was absolutely gorgeous, plenty of wandering cows, untamed palm trees, and hazy sunsets. Our absolute favourite beach was Palolem.”

But as we’ve already established, India is huge, so there’s always another, less touristy option out there. Enter: Puducherry. Whether you’re into surfing, beach yoga, or a spot of sunbathing, there’s a beach for every occasion. Plus, the clear waters and coral reefs make for great diving!

On the other hand, for truly epic Himalayan mountain action, you’ll be going north from Delhi. The area is extremely popular with hikers and backpackers, and you can find some awesome itinerary suggestions online. Shimla is a popular destination for Delhi locals looking to escape the heat, or you can go deeper into the mountains and discover remote monastery towns.

The country’s diversity really is astounding, and we could keep going forever. But instead, I’d love to hear about your experiences, and where else JFC-ers shouldn’t miss. Next week, I’m going to get into all the ways you can arrange the India trip of a lifetime, and also share some of Kiran’s favourite foodie tips. So, please hit ‘Reply’ and share your wisdom!

On travelling across Mexico...

On Seattle…ish:

Hi Sandi,

You’re in luck — I’ve lived in Seattle on and off for a few years, so I’ve spent some time in Tacoma. We have a bit of a rivalry going on, but I can admit that Tacoma has a few gems of its own.

My favorite place in the city is the Museum of Glass. It’s one of the only art museums in the country dedicated to glasswork. Artists range from local legends like Dale Chihuly to old masters like René Lalique, and you can watch pieces being blown live in the hot shop.

Readers should also head down the street from the museum to check out the Tacoma Book Center. This massive used book store is purportedly the largest in the state, and boasts half a million books.

Point Defiance is worth exploring on its own, too. You’ll find spots with sandy beaches (a rarity in the PNW) and the Chutes and Ladders, an unusual play area with a series of slides that take riders down a huge hill.

One of the best things to do anywhere in western Washington is get on the water! Enjoy the south end of Puget Sound from onboard a boat. See this guide for places to kayak, or you can take the ferry to Vashon Island, so your watery journey can end with a brew.

Get further out of town, and you’ve got a million options: check out the artsy capital city of Olympia, hike around Washington’s beloved Mount Rainier, or use Tacoma as your jumping off point for an Olympic Peninsula road trip to see some of the most beautiful coastline in the world :-)

All the important (or silly, or strange) travel news from across the web this week.

• You’re never too old to travel—at least, that’s what the TikTok Travelling Grannies who circumnavigated the globe in 80 days would tell you!
• An Indonesian flight had a lucky escape earlier this year, after both the pilot and co-pilot fell asleep in the cockpit.
• Winter sports aficionados, we’ve got a new challenge for you: skijoring, a seemingly impossible cross between skiing, rodeo, jousting, and a bunch of other dangerous sports!
• And finally, you’re sitting comfortably on your super fancy train with a glass of bubbly in your hand as you near your final destination. It’s been a long journey from Adelaide to Darwin, but definitely one to remember—not least, because of the cheeky welcome you received.
  In a tradition that happens only once per decade, Darwin locals gathered alongside the rails on Tuesday to moon the lucky travellers arriving on the luxury Ghan tourist train. Unfortunately, those whose views were eclipsed will have to wait until 2034 for another chance to see the “Noonamah Moonies” in action.