Agra or Goa

O.K. tigerphan, i guess the "every part of India" is another generalisation, but then we're not talking about every part are we. The coastal belt of Goa has in the past few years become a landfill site, it's a nice idea that the foreign visitor to India doesn't drop litter, but in reality it's not true. The beaches are strewn with fag ends and Candolim, Calangute and Baga look like they've witnessed a daily ticker tape parade during a refuse strike. And now that the tourist tornado has all but obliterated the north, the wind is now moving south.

Hi

I was in Goa and Delhi(Agra) in the past two weeks and would recommend both, but if pushed will choose Delhi purely for the Taj Mahal. You can do both if you fly between the two( 2.30 hour flight). The train from Delhi to Agra is 2 hours and leaves Delhi at 6.15 am and you get breakfast and coffee. The return leg is at 20.30 pm with dinner and ice cream. The return ticket is 800 rupees and beats the bus and car option as the bus takes 4 to 5 hours.

In Agra outside the station there is a pre-paid taxi booth where you can organise a driver for the day to take you to the various sites.

Enjoy

y e s indian resident. we all worked out you were referring to rupees. but to us bucks will always be "dollars". so we make a little joke.

here here,

I have investigated the Agra/Delhi plan, I think ill take the train as it will I think, in some way add to the experience. My loose plan then, is to stay in Mumbai for a few days and head up through Jaipur to Agra via Delhi, hopefully ammend my flight to leave from Delhi to Singapore.
Anyone have any reccomendations for Jaipur/Agra (other than the obvious)?
Excellent Blog eagersnap, Madras looks wonderful too, Im beginning to realise I might have to come back to this country.
Where is the best place to see 'wild' India, on route to and around Agra from Mumbai?

Thanks

Alex

hi
goa, oh it is a nice place, but remember it is summer and temp might be touching 40 c , and you would not get train ticket as it is vacation period in maharashtra and everyone around will be heading there, so why done you try some hill stations in karnataka, maharashtra- or even munnar in kerala- they are really hassle free and very beautiful..

Do go to Fatepur Sikri near Agra. The Taj will blow you away with its splendour - take your time to absorb this unique sight. The fort is a good outing as well. There is a tiger national park between Jaipur and Agra (maybe a little to the south) which may be open. You will not regret the train journey - in my opinion - an essential part of the Indian experience. Jaipur is frantic, hectic, chaotic, and beautiful. I loved walking around the tiger fort early in the morning when no people were around and all you can hear is the occasional horn from the city and the loud calls of wild peacocks in the undeveloped landscape.

Do a tour of Delhi on a rickshaw - best way to get around. If you live - the adrenalin rush will add years to your life.

I would skip Goa and Rhajasthan. For a taste of India, why not stay in the proximity (that is relative, of course), and go to Nasik which is a 4 hrs train ride north east of Bombay, and then from there go on to Aurangabad (best by bus) for the caves. Nasik is a holy town with nice ghats, pilgrims, temples, markets and a good bazaar area. Do not confuse Nasik Rd where the station is, with Nasik town proper. Get a taxi to take you to the Abishek Hotel (good clean central budget place, get a better rooms at 400rs if you can afford it, they have a balcony), there is a good veg restaurant opposite and its only a short stroll down to the river. From Aurangabad you can get to Bombay by train. Or skip Aurangabad and continue from Nasik on the same train line up to Jhansi. Jhansi is not interesting, but you can get to Orchha from there by rikshaw (30min) and that is one laid back interesting small town with ruined chatris, temples and palaces and loads to explore.

Or go south. There are regular overnight trains to Ernakulam (Cochin), I think they take about 15hrs. See Fort Cochin, the night market in Ernakulam, go to the Indian Coffee House (Ernakulam), visit the islands, and put 3 days aside for a trip to Allepey and the backwaters. Now THAT`S an experience you won´t forget. The only snag with this trip is that the 2nd class trains between Bombay and Ernakulam and back are heavily booked, so you might have to upgrade.

For train times check www.indiagroove.com<BR><BR>Have a great trip wherever you end up going.
Ginco

Hi,

I have been in both places two years ago. Your question is tricky because i really loved both !!

If you pick Goa don´t forget to visit Old Goa and try to reach Vrijianagar (500Kms - 12 hours in train) that is old hindu city in the middle of the jungle with huge temples - a must!!

If you chose Agra, try to visit Jodhpur (beautiful old blue city), Jailsamer (Deser Town) and also Rantamphore to see a tiger --- Wonderful

Don´t forget that Agra is just the Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikri, so 1 or 2 days are enough.

Nice Travel,

PedroC

Just to avoid confusion here. I suspect that the Vrijanagar that no. 28 refers to is probably Vijayanagar, which is the same as Hampi.

And if you go to Agra, you really shouldn't miss the Red Fort. It is a really nice fort, which has the added benefit of a really good view of the Taj Mahal from a distance.

i dont remember Vijayanagar being in the middle of the jungle.......