This 400 year old city has been an important centre of Sikh history, culture and tradition. This is the holiest of Sikh shrines, and pilgrims of all castes and creeds go there.

You could experience the life of a pilgrim by spending one night in the center around the golden temple.

Getting there: You can reach Amritsar by air, by rail and by road.

Best time to visit: Amritsar is situated in a humid subtropical region, with hot summer followed by heavy rainfall. So avoid the summer season, and take advantage of the dry winter.

Important festivals: Baisakhi (April), this festival takes place all over Punjab. You could attend dances, processions, feasting to celebrate the spring equinox.
Guru Parab (Nov) Amritsar is the best place to enjoy this festival, which is the birthday of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism. It will take place the first night of full moon after Diwali.

Further connections: Hari-ke-Pattan, Taran Taran, Gobindwal Sahib, the ceremony at the last check post on the Indian border at Wagah which is a reminder of the partition of 1947.

Getting there: Port Blair which is the capital of Andaman Island is connected by air to Chennai and Calcutta. By sea, you have to take 2 or 2 and a half days to reach the islands.

Best time to visit: In this tropical region, it is better to go there during the mild winter and avoid the high temperatures of the long and dry summer season.

Important Festivals: National festivals and celebrations.

Further connections: Viper Islands, Ross Island, Jolly Buoy, Redskin, Cinque.

The city of gardens is a bustling city lined by trees and interspersed with wide streets and lanes. Present capital of Karnataka, the city founded in 1537 by Kempe Gowda, is often described as Asia’s Silicon Valley because of its technology industry. It is today the India’s fifth largest and fastest growing city. Bangalore has a nice climate all round the year, and continues to retain its essential garden ambience.

Getting there: International airport which is really convenient, and a good network of bus, taxis and trains around and within the city.

Best time to visit: From November to April.

Important festivals: National festivals and celebrations.

Further Connections: Talakad, Somnathpur, Srirangapattana, Mysore, Melkote, Sravana Belgola.

Getting there: It is well connected by air and rail as well as by good roads to the other cities of the states of Orissa and around.

Best time to visit: The mild winter of this region is the best option.

Important festivals: Tribal Mela (Jan). During this one week colorful festival, the tribal population of Orissa shares its music, dance, arts and crafts; Ashokashtami (Mar/Apr) The image of Shiva is bathed in the sacred Bindusagar Tank.

Further connections: Cuttack, Konark, Gopalpur-on-sea, Chilika Lake.

Getting there: With a domestic airport, a national highway, a good network of buses, taxis and trains, get around will be easy.

Best time to visit: From October to April, you will enjoy a dry winter, be careful of the low temperatures in Winter.

Important festivals: Rose festival (Feb) Flower shows and a week end carnival of dance and music. Baisakhi (14 Apr) Gala processions, dancing and feasting to celebrate the spring equinox and the beginning of the harvest. Guru Parab (Nov) The first full moon night after Diwali celebrates the birthday of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism.

Further Connections: The Pinjore Gardens, Sanghol.

Getting there : You could use the domestic airport of Bagdogra, 90km from Darjeeling, and then you use the bus or Taxi. You could also use the railway.

Best time to visit: All the year except from early June up to the end of September, since the region is hit by the monsoon. Be careful with the high altitudes.

Important festivals: Saraswati Puja (Jan/Feb) Celebration of the Goddess of Learning. Durga Puja (Sept/Oct) it heralds the advent of autumn, great feast are prepared and presents are exchanged.

Further Connections: Kalimpong, Siliguri, Kurseong

Getting there: Well connected by road, the nearest airport is Kangra and the nearest train station is Pathankot.

Best time to visit: Better to visit during the short summer.

Important festivals : Summer Festival (May/June) is a meeting of dancers, singers and artists.

Further connections : Triund, Chinmaya Tapovan, Dal Lake, Dharampot.

Getting there: The domestic airport of Bagdogra is situated at 117 km in the south of the city. Then, you should use the buses or taxis. You need a travel permit to enter Sikkim.

Best time to visit: All the year except from early June up to the end of September, since the region is hit b the monsoon. Be careful with the high altitudes.

Important festivals: Saraswati Puja (Jan/Feb), celebration of the Goddess of Learning. International flower festival (Apr/May), this festival showcases rare orchids and other beautiful flowers. Saga Dawa (May) ,celebration of Buddha's birth with the carriage of sacred scriptures from monasteries through the streets. Durga Puja (Sept/Oct) it heralds the advent of autumn, great feast are prepared and presents are exchanged.

Further Connections: Phodong, Mangan-Singhik, Lachung, Pelling, Yuksam, Tashiding Monastery.

Famous for its beautiful beaches which offer opportunities for relaxing in the sun, as well as more thrilling activities like parasailing, speed boating, water skiing, wind surfing, and deep sea diving,…Goa is also known all over the world for its Portuguese heritage, its beautiful ancient churches, and a typical food and way of life.

Getting There: There is an international airport in Dabolim. Then you could join the main cities and attractions of Goa by trains, buses or taxis. Motorcycle and taxis are also available for visiting the state.

Best time to visit: All the year, except the summer season which is rainy and extremely hot.

Important festivals: Jatra (Jan): In Quepem, this colorful festival celebrates the local temple deities. Carnival (Feb): 3 day of colorful parade through the streets of Panaji. Shigmotsav (Mar): A five-day spring festival with local folk theater, and sword dances. All Saints Procession (Apr): Statues of 26 saints are carried during a procession to Andrew's church. Feast of St Francis Xavier (Dec): Feast of Goa's patron, preceded of nine days of prayers.

Further Connections: Mumbai, Kerala beaches.

Getting there: You can reach Jaisalmer by air from Mumbai, Delhi, Jaipur and Jodhpur. You can also use the train to connect with the major cities, but the road network is more practical to reach the main destinations in Rajasthan.

Best time to visit: This tropical desert region copes with high summer and very low winter temperatures. You could really enjoy a camel safari from November to March.

Important festivals : Gangaur ( Mar/Apr) celebrated in all Rajasthan, lasts 18 days, and focuses on the love between Shiva and Parvati. All the women in Rajasthan have to pray for the well being of their husband.
Teej: This festival which takes place in July and August, celebrates Parvati as well as the onset of the monsoon. The women wear new clothes, dance and sing to venerate their goddess.

Furhter connections: Ludruwa, Wood Fossil Park, Sa Sand Dunes, Barmer.

Getting there: Connected by air with Delhi, Udaipur, Mumbai, the buses and the trains link Jodhpur to all the mains cities in Rajasthan.

Best time to visit : From November to April, you could visit the region without coping with the highest temperatures in India.

Important festivals: Gangaur (Mar/Apr) celebrated in all Rajasthan, lasts 18 days, and focuses on the love between Shiva and Parvati. All the women in Rajasthan have to pray for the well being of their husband.
Teej: This festival which takes place in July and August, celebrates Parvati as well as the onset of the monsoon. The women wear new clothes, dance and sing to venerate their goddess.

Further connections: Osian, Kailana Lake, Mandore.

Getting there: This city is not really well connected by bus and train. However, if you cannot reach this place by plane, the bus will be the best option.

Best time to visit: From November to March.

Important Festivals: Shivratri (Feb/March) is the celebration of the wedding of Shiva and Parvati with processions and rituals.
Dance Festival (Feb/March): In front of the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, classical dancers from all over India perform during one week.

Further Connections: Ajaigarh, Orccha.

Situated on the banks of the Ganga, this is a busy and overcrowded city. It was the capital of the British East India Company till 1911. The years 1696 -1712 saw the building of Fort William under the supremacy of the British. The city is crowded and dirty in some places, but remains a vibrant city. The bustling life of the waterfront along the Strand, the noisy bazaars and pavement stalls, the residential streets with their gracious mansions, all this creates a strange and cosmopolitan atmosphere, rarely found in other places in India. In this atmosphere, coexist the traditional Bengali world of Rabindranath Tagore's mansion at Jorasanko, the Khalighat temple and the potters' village of Kumartuli, as well as the Coffee House and the Maidan, dominated by the Victoria Memorial.

Getting there: As one of the main urban centers of India, you won't find any problems to reach the city. You could go on foot in the central Kolkata, or use the metro, tramway, taxis and finally buses if you are not scared of crowded places. Use the rickshaw if you want to try a typical Indian way of transportation.

Best time to visit: Given the high summer temperatures, and a wild winter, from January to April will be the best period. However be careful with some high winter rainfall.

Important festivals: Burra Din (25 Dec) Celebrated by Christians and non Christians, it is known as Christmas. Saraswati Puja (Jan/Feb) Celebration of the Goddess of Learning. Durga Puja (Sept/Oct) it heralds the advent of Autumn, great feasts are prepared and presents are exchanged.

Further Connections: Belur Math, Dakshineshwar, Hooghly River.

Getting there: You can catch a regular flight from Delhi, Jammu and Srinagar. You can reach the place by road, but you have to check if the way is opened. Officially it opens between the 15th of May and the 15th of November.

Best time to visit: Summer time

Important festivals: Sindhu Darshan (1-3 Jun) is an homage to the Indus, it takes place on the river banks, and presents some exhibitions, polo matches,(1-15 Sept). During two weeks you could attend and enjoy, polo tournaments, archery contests, handicrafts exhibitions as well as masked dances.

Further connections: Sabu, Choglamsar, Spituk Gompa.

Getting there: The city is well connected to the major cities around by air, rail and road.

Best time to visit: The best season is the mild winter; however the region can be hit by the retreating southwest monsoon.

Important festivals: Pongal (mid-Jan) celebration of the sun, land and cattle. Chitirai (mid-apr) is the occasion to offer food to the gods. Adi Perukku (jul/aug) heralds the beginning of the monsoon. Navaratri Gollu (Sept/Oct) nine day festival reserved to women, which celebrates the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahisha.

Further connections: Kodaikanal, Suruli Waterfalls, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.

Getting there: Connected by air, road and rail to Mumbai and Bangalore.

Best time to visit: Avoid the summer period with heavy rainfall and very high temperatures.

Important festivals: National celebrations and festivals.

Further connections: Pilikula Nisarga Dhama, Moodabidri, Varanga, Karkala, Malpe Beach.

Getting there: There are domestic flights from Mumbai to all major Indian destinations. If you want to get around within the city avoid the suburban crowded lines and get on a private car, taxi or red bus.

Best time to visit: You have to take advantage of a mild winter and avoid the high temperatures and the monsoon of summer.

Important festivals: Janmashtami (Jul/Aug) Birth of Lord Krishna. Naga Panchami (Aug/Sept) the festival of Snakes, snakes are taken out in colorful processions before being released into the fields. Ganesha Chaturthi (Aug/Sept): Clay idols of the Lord are worshipped during ten days before being led in colorful processions.

Further Connections: Elephanta Island, Murud Janjira, Mahabaleshwar, Pune, Lonavla, Matheran.

Getting there: Well connected by train and buses, the nearest airport is Bangalore.

Best time to visit: Avoid the high temperatures of summer.

Important festivals: Royal Dasara (Sep/Oct) which lasts 10 days celebrates the victory of the goddess Durga over the buffalo demon.

Further connections: Somnathpur, Melkote, Srirangapattana, Talakad, Sravana Belgola.

Getting there: You can reach this place by bus or taxi from the cities around. The nearest airport is Coimbatore, 89 km away.

Best time to visit: The best season is the mild winter that enjoys the city; however the region can be hit by the retreating southwest monsoon.

Important festivals: Pongal (mid-Jan) celebration of the sun, land and cattle. Chitirai (mid-apr) is the occasion to offer food to the gods. Adi Perukku (Jul/Aug) heralds the beginning of the monsoon. Navaratri Gollu (Sept/Oct) nine day festival reserved to women, which celebrates the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahisha.

Getting there: The city is well connected by air to Bhubaneswar, Calcutta, New Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai. There is also a good network of roads.

Best time to visit: The mild winter of this region is the best option

Important Festivals: Rath Yatra, or the chariot festival takes place in June and July, thousand of devotees pulled the wooden chariots on which are set down the deities.

Further connections: Konark, Chilika Lake, Cuttack.