John Rambow: I think you'll be tired out at the end of your visit. That itinerary only leaves you about 5-6 days in each place, once you count travel time and travel delays. Traveling in India is frequently tiring, and things rarely go exactly according to plan. I'd try to pare down the list and add more rural locations that are reachable from one of the major cities on your list—perhaps a nature park or just a small village. That'll give you a chance to see another side of India without traveling so much.

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Guanajuato, Mexico: How is the oceanside state of GOA these days? My wife and I are considering a visit there after we spend sometime in Calcutta in late January 2009. Thanks for the input, Digger 35.

John Rambow: Goa's great, and it can be a huge party as well as a relaxed, peaceful place. Personally, I like the extreme southern part, which is much less hectic.

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Key West, Fla.: I am 75 years old, have seen all the remaining wonders of ancient world except the Taj Mahal, which I want to see before I die. Please tell me who gives a short week tour of Northern India for a single person, and the best time of year to go. Thank you very much. Lou

John Rambow: The weather in December and Jan. is the best, but that's when the Taj is most crowded (it's astonishing, and not in a good way). You could wait until mid-March or so, but after that it will be scorching until the monsoons hit in mid-July. So go in winter.

There are lots of good tour companies. I used Four Wheel Drive India to put together my own tour of the area, and they were very responsive.

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Naperville, Ill.: John, We will be traveling to India for a wedding. We will be leaving Chicago on December 12th traveling to New Dehli, Jaipur and the wedding is in Jodipur(sp). What should be worn to a Indian wedding. It will be a 3 day event. What will the weather be like I have checked and it appears to be comforatable this time of year. I read that you should not wear black to a wedding. What about gifts? What is the accepted gift for the married couple? Cash? Thanks so much for your help. Nancy

John Rambow: I think you'll find people wearing a variety of clothes to an Indian wedding. I'd wear a nice dress shirt and pants—for women, something equally "business casual."

As for a gift, I think that cash is a good present. As for how much, relentlessly ask everyone you know who's going to find out how much they think is an appropriate amount. If you know the couple somewhat well, then maybe something cool from the US would also be a good option.

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Newark, N.J.: What can I do around Hyderabad for 4 days? I am a woman alone awaiting my spouse to be done with his business dealings. Is it safe?

John Rambow: I love Hyderabad, which combines some amazing Muslim monuments and fortresses with the dash of modern India. The main don't-misses here are Golconda Fort, a small former city-fortress a few miles west of the city; and the Old City of Hyderabad, where many things haven't changed since it was first settled in the 1600s. Also, if you have a weakness for malls, there are some good ones, including the Hyderabad Central. Although lots of tourists and local cringe at the hyper-capitalism on display in such places, I think they're as much India as the most ancient monuments. Uglier, perhaps, but still India!

The city is very spread out, and aside from the oldest areas, it's can be a hard city to walk through. Major growth in recent years has led to serious problems with sprawl. I'd suggest getting a car and driver for sightseeing.


Hyderabad is generally safe, but there were some serious bombings there last year. See the safety warnings I mentioned above.

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John Rambow: Thanks for all the questions, and I hope the answers were helpful. Check out the Fodor's Guide to India for more help; I also recommend my former colleague Diane Mehta's Trip Coach from 2007.