11 Reasons To Visit India ASAP - International Traveller

The sounds, smells and colours of India will never leave you.

Once you have visited, this place makes an indelible impression, with many travellers saying it’s unlike anywhere else they’ve been in the world.

A melting pot of cultures with 22 different languages and over 1.2 billion people, a trip to India can be a life-changing experience. Here are 11 reasons to put it on your travel bucket list.

1. The people

With populations in their millions, stepping into the busier cities in India can be a shock to the system. Spending time in this country really puts things in perspective and gives you an insight into how some people get by in this world with very little.

Despite the hardship some face (five the spirit and joy you’ll encounter here is inspiring. Especially in the more rural areas, you’ll be hard pressed to find warmer, more hospitable people. If you can experience a homestay while you’re travelling in India, definitely take that option.

Live among the beautiful people in Jaipur (Photo: Edwina Hart)

2. Experience the spirituality of The Ganges

Born in the glaciers of the Himalayas, the Ganges River is the lifeblood of India and is considered a sacred entity by Hindus. Religious rituals take place along the banks of the colossal waterway, and it’s amazing to watch how the river is incorporated into the daily lives of the people living by it.

The river is believed to transport the prayers of believers to heaven and immersing yourself in the river is said to purify the soul.

3. The food

The thick creamy curries of the north. The super spicy tang of dishes in the south. This is a country that takes its food very seriously, so immersing yourself in these great culinary styles is a superb travel experience.

It’s also a great option for vegetarian travellers, due to the large proportion of Hindus who are vegetarian. There are plenty of cooking courses available if you want to learn the skills yourself, so you can take the heady flavours back home with you.

4. The Taj Mahal

It’s one of the world’s most beautiful expressions of love – an ivory-white marble mausoleum commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to house the tomb of his beloved wife. Beyond a must-see, it’s a part of India’s soul. Getting out of bed before sunrise will all be worth it if you witness this shining marble edifice at its best, at dawn.

5. The Pushkar Camel Fair

The Pushkar Camel Fair brings countless tribespeople, herdsmen and pilgrims to do business, dance, sing, compete, pray, socialise and trade their 30,000-odd camels. Watch circus performers, sit and sip chai with other visitors and attempt to chat among the dozens of languages and dialects filling the air, and bargain in the crowded markets.

Camels and their owners at the Pushkar Camel Fair

6. The epic boat trips

Travelling by boat – especially houseboat – through the silent canals and waterways of tropical Kerala is an essential experience for anyone needing a deep breath, and especially a deep dive into the everyday life of the people here. You’ll witness the flow of village life from a unique angle as you drift by.

7. The incredible beaches

With much of India surrounded by ocean, you’ll find spectacular beaches offering everything from solitude to a party atmosphere. The best beaches in India can be found on the west coast, with Goa being the most famous beach destination.

A little more off the beaten track are the Havelock Islands, which offer possibly the best diving in India.

Arambol beach, Goa — Goa is one of India’s most popular beach destinations

8. Train travel, but not as you know it

An epic journey by rail is an unforgettable experience. The longest train journey in India, the Vivek Express, covers an incredible 4273 kilometres; if you’re not quite up for that 85-hour epic, the Grand Trunk Express covers more than 2000 kilometres cross-country, from New Delhi to Chennai, in 36 hours.

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9. You can live well, without spending a fortune

According to the World Economic Forum Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report, India ranks 10^th best for ‘price competitiveness’. You can get great luxury accommodation for a bargain price while both food and travel within India are relatively cheap.

The luxury segment of the market offers some truly spectacular accommodation options, such as five-star hotels that were once palaces. You can literally live like a king.

Live like a king in Jaipur (Photo: Edwina Hart)

10. The history and architecture

Opulent palaces, ancient forts, timeless temples and historic sites are dotted throughout this majestic country. The rich history oozes from every ancient structure and historical monument in India. There are currently 38 UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites across India, making it a must-visit destination for history buffs.

A worker takes a break at Jaipur’s Amber Fort

11. The wildlife

India has some of the richest biodiversity in the world, and the array of animals that call this country home is breathtaking. There are about 400 species of mammals, 1250 birds, 460 reptiles, 240 amphibians and 2550 fish – among the highest species count for any country.

Take a wildlife-watching excursion to one of India’s famous national parks such as Ranthambore, Pench, Kanha or Bandhavgarh. Tigers, elephants, rhinos and eagles are among the animals you might glimpse.

To plan the ultimate Indian adventure, check out our comprehensive guide.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

11 reasons to visit India