frommer''s india

[...]... Orissa to visit the monolithic Sun Temple at Konark, yet another of India s awesome array of World Heritage sites 2 Visitor Information India s Tourism Information Department is going all out to seduce international visitors, and has fairly extensive representation around the globe Access one of its websites (www.tourisminindia.com or www tourindia.com) for general information, but be aware that some pages... Department at http:// travel.state.gov/foreignentryreqs html CUSTOMS W H AT YO U C A N B R I N G INTO INDIA You can bring as much foreign currency into India as you like; if you have over $10,000 in cash or traveler’s checks, however, you should complete a declaration form You may not import Indian currency into India In addition to your personal effects, you are allowed 95 liters of alcohol, and 200 cigarettes... or euros go a very long way in India You will enjoy your vacation a whole lot more if you don’t sweat the small stuff: A difference of a couple of rupees will hardly show up on your bank statement For up-tothe-minute currency conversions, log on to www.oanda.com/convert/classic You cannot obtain Indian currency anywhere outside India, and you may not carry rupees beyond India s borders You may have to... you Many Indians subscribe to the philosophy that life is destiny, and getting uptight or flying into a rage usually won’t solve much You’ll have a far better vacation if you simply give in to the moment and enjoy the experience; after all, the only aspect you have control over is your response 2 Planning Your Trip to India O nce the playing fields of only die-hard budget New Age travelers, India has... 0212/5864903 In the U.K.: 7 Cork St., E N T RY R E Q U I R E M E N T S & C U S TO M S 19 Tips Visa Savvy Travelers to India can apply for a tourist visa from their nearest Indian Consulate or High Commission This is valid for multiple entries for 6 months from the date of issue Given the nature of India s bureaucracy, rules and fees for application change regularly, so it’s best to check with your travel agent... admitted to India unless your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your entry, and it should typically also be valid for at least 3 months beyond the period of your intended stay In the U.S., the Indian Embassy is at 2107 Massachusetts Ave., Washington, DC 20008 (& 0202/939-7000), and there are consulates in Houston, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, and Chicago In the U.K., India House... country’s largest English dailies, including www timesofindia.com, www.hindustan times.com, and www.thehindu online.com For up-to-date news, gossip, and tourism-related information, visit www.indiawww.com, which covers everything from Bollywood happenings to currency conversion and current weather conditions Travel Spirit International (www.tsi india. com) has a wide range of links as well as easy access... out your itinerary and make reservations well in advance Finally, though India has definite Third World elements—infrastructure and service levels leave much to be desired—you’ll find almost everything you need here, particularly if you’re armed with a credit card and Frommer’s India, 1st Edition, of course 1 The Regions in Brief India is a vast country, roughly divided—for the purposes of this book—into... “God’s own country,” awaits? South India s top destination, particularly for the well-heeled traveler in search of pampering and relaxation, Kerala offers ancient backwaters plied by houseboats, herds of wild elephant, coconut-lined beaches and, of course, the ancient healing art of Ayurveda TAMIL NADU Occupying a long stretch of the eastern Indian Ocean coastline, India s southernmost state seems little... transportation to your hotel, since the rate will be quite unfavorable Tip: India is one destination in which it is really worthwhile to arrange an airport transfer with your hotel so 22 C H A P T E R 2 P L A N N I N G YO U R T R I P TO I N D I A What Things Cost in India This is a sampling of average prices you’re likely to pay in India Bear in mind that big cities generally have much higher prices than . .50 Central/North India . . . . . . . . . .50 South India . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51 Fast Facts: India . . . . . . . . . . . .52 Contents List of Maps vi The Best of India 1 1 Mumbai:. Religions of India . . . . . . .480 4 Indian Cuisine . . . . . . . . . . . . .483 by Niloufer Venkatraman 5 Reading India . . . . . . . . . . . . .487 by Lynne Aschman Bollywood & Beyond: India. Sikkim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .463 Appendix: India in Depth 469 1 India Today . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .469 by Anita Pratap 2 India Past to Present . . . . . . . .472 by Nigel Worden