Hello

I have almost free tickets to Dubai and am thinking of visiting India with my wife to make the long trip worth it.

Is India worth visiting considering the hassles involved?

I have about one extra week. I could travel the Golden Triangle.

Thanks

Hassles? What hassles? If you are speaking about a VISA the last 6 countries I visited I needed to get a visa and starting soon you don't even need to go to the Indian embassy for a Visa if you are a US citizen.
India is one of the most spectacular places I have seen in my 107 countries I have been to. I am going back again in January. It is an assault on the senses and amazing. The people are incredible.
Again, I have no idea what you mean about hassles. If you clarify, perhaps you can get more answers.

Very few destinations ever immerse themselves in your soul. India has in mine. A mind-blowing experience I will take with me to my grave.

Worldspan
Naples, Florida

Thanks

By hassles I mean more caution for eating and drinking and travelling by car and train than for most countries. I have received anecdotal negative reports from a girl who travelled alone and from a couple who drove a rental car. My alternative destination from Dubai would be Istanbul, but I think India would be more interesting.

I appreciate the endorsement from someone as well-travelled as you.

don't eat street food & you will be fine....stick to mineral water & you will be fine....

i have many friends (including girls who have traveled alone here) who visit india on a regular basis & none of them have had anything negative to say about traveling alone in india....

the couple who drove a rental car probably made the mistake of driving themselves & not getting a driver....it pretty much costs you the same to get a car with a driver as i would not recommend driving here if you are not used to the crazy traffic system that exists in this country....

I think the more accurate piece of advice would be "don't eat raw foods and food that's been kept out for a while", along with the bottled water advise. Ideally get cooked food on a disposable plate. Most concerns in this matter are water borne; freshly cooked food on disposable plates obviates that.

My wife, who's from the far east and traveled through India with friends, never got sick. One of her traveling companions did, until she told him to stop eating with spoons and eat by hand. Turned out no one washed the spoons properly because the locals ate those dishes by hand.

Hassles are worth it. Never drive your own car, don't eat street food and don't drink any non bottled water. SKIP the trains, take the planes.

India is worth it. I was told South India is easier and that's where I went. I was in Hyderabad, Bangalore and Mysore, Kerala, Pondicherry and Chennai. Out of this, I liked the smaller places Mysore, Fort Cochin and the Kerala backwater boat trip, and Pondicherry. Mysore is particularly wonderful, everything India is in your mind is to be found in Mysore and on a scale that is more easily accessible. Both Mysore and Pondicherry have ashram centers nearby. Bangalore is easy to fly into, then a 2-1/2 hour train ride to Mysore. Trains are such a part of India's fabric and history, if you don't take a train or see a train station, you don't "get" India at all. We also did an overnight train to Hyderabad, nothing wrong with the First Class Air Conditioned train cabins but bring your own food. (First Class AC is a higher class than just First Class and you will want the best possible on an Indian train). One thing to consider is what time the train arrives, since it was pretty scary at the Hyderabad train station at 3 AM. In the smaller places, we really enjoyed staying in local hotels that had been coverted from grand homes. In the large cities, we stayed in Sheratons on points, which are grand hotels in India, far fancier than US Sheratons. The best food I had were the thalis at busy local places, a version of our lunch plate special served on stainless steel platters. Use a straw to drink from bottled drinks. The newspapers are a cultural exploration every day, highly entertaining and a real insight into India.

You ask good question about the India trip specially for Golden Triangle. I can also suggest for making Golden Triangle tour trip ( Delhi, Agra & Rajasthan).
They're most beautiful historic, adventure & cultural places. The most important places, Laal Qila in Delhi, one of eight wonders in world Taj Mahal in Agra, Sheesh Mahal in Jaipur, Udipur, Khahuraho in Madhya Pradesh and so on..
You can make the Golden Triangle trip luxurious with the Indian Railway truism (IRCTC).

I've been to India four times, and I'd go again in a heart beat.

I was talking to a sister in law at Christmas who has just visited India on a private tour. I too had put India on the "no" list because I was worried about the food and sickness. I was worried about it in Egypt and I was fine for 3 weeks there. Glad to see everyone else has said it is fabulous and one should go there. I think I am changing my mind as I would like to see something different from what I have at home.

If you are talking about VOA for India, you do need to apply online for E-VISA at least 4 days prior to landing in India. Don't think that you will be able to get a visa after you land. Plus you may be denied at time of boarding if you don't have the proper docs.