Is India a nice country to visit?

Travelling to India: Which areas are best to visit for a first visit to the country?

• for someone who only speaks English? I understand that quite a lot of people in India can speak English - is that true - and if so, which would be the best place to visit to know that I would be able to cope and speak with locals? I am female and an OAP and will be travelling alone so would safety be an issue and are some places safer than others? I am not looking for a posh hotel with a huge swimming pool which I could find in a brochure. I want to see the real India. Please only answer if you have been and have serious, correct information.

• Answer:

  If you want to see the real india you need to close to the older parts of major cities and/or leave the cities behind completely. Rural tourism is becoming a hot trend in many states including Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan. Unfortunately you didn't include your port of entry or duration of stay so I would suggest starting in Delhi. Skip some of the more tourist spots for the local art galleries and museums which are often overlooked, think Sanskriti Museum and India Habitat Center. Move on to Rajasthan to less traveled cities such as the Shekawati Region, Bundi, Kota, Mt Abu, and Chittogarh. Most of the hotels found in those cities are smaller guest houses or homestays. Nothing will prepare you for real India more than staying with locals. In Himachal Pradesh you could do a Buddhist tourist circuit, less traveled by foreigners.Also there are several village tours which last from 1 day to a week, overnighting in personal homes or tents. Many state tourism departments have begun village/rural tour packages as well. Another great source for real india trip ideas is IRCTC. They run various rail promotions to some of the most popular sites at rock bottom prices. Overnight on trains or sometimes hotels. The sites are not always what you would find for recommendations in the usual guide books, more insider favorites.