Page 36 - india

I s India a destination for you? Most experienced trav- As we do for any travel, we did extensive research about India

Research and plan your adventure
elers will be able to cope – and even enjoy – the chaos
that is India. But no matter how luxurious you make
and Nepal using guidebooks, advice from friends and mostly
the trip, you’ll be exposed to all the ills there - heart-
breaking poverty, extreme pollution, unsanitary
From there we decided where we want to go.
conditions, trash, crumbling infrastructure, vile odors, online user-generated review communities like Trip Advisor.
animal cruelty, persistent beggars and hawkers, crazy We didn’t rough it on our odyssey. For better or worse, we opt-
driving, corruption, deception, Delhi Belly, Indian food ed for comfort when we could. And unless you’re young and
and worst of all – it can be a invincible, India requires the
wine lover’s hell. support of a good tour compa-
ny – or at the very least a great
deal of planning and execution.
On the other hand, India of- Trusted guides and drivers also
fers true adventure, Indian are essential given the traffic
food, caring friendly people,
and fascinating destinations, and chaotic cities.
and cultural traditions. For After extensive online research
us the good far outweighed and contact with former clients
the bad. But if you break we settled on a small company,
into a cold sweat when ven- Icon Tours based in Jaipur.
turing outside your comfort (iconindiatours@hotmail.com)
zone, you may want to take The feedback confirmed the
your next vacation in Swit- company was affordable, pro-
zerland. fessional, and exceptionally reli-
able. Icon arranged for drivers,

36 Wine Dine & Travel Spring 2014