Advice req. for India travelling virgins! - Indian Ocean inc. Maldives/Mauritius & India Discussion Forum, Holiday Forums

Advice req. for India travelling virgins!

Melbert

2005-10-02 20:21:55

Hello,
Me and my other half are planning a trip to India and would love some advice as we've hit a bit of a brick wall!
From our arrival point of Mumbai, we'll be flying down to Goa for New Year. Has anyone stayed at Tidal Wave, Candolim? This is the only guesthouse coming up for us at the moment, the owner seems informative and friendly enough over e-mail...
Next step, either Hampi onto Mysore or straight down to Kerala and then up to Mysore and Hampi. We need train travel over bus travel as my other half ain't too good on buses! Would be good to visit Tamil Nadu too so not sure of the best routes around South, also considering our next stop before the Golden Triangle tour is to be Varanasi. So any good train link recommendations from the South to Varanasi would be good to know.
Not sure how much of this holiday to plan as we're going for 2 months. Very wary of arriving in the busy season so wanting to book as much as poss, but also wanting to have the freedom to be flexible.
I'm actually very nervous but so very very excited about our trip!! It's a bit of a 'hitting 30 this year - let's have a blow out' kind of trip. What better place than India then, we thought.
We're particularly wary of travelling independently when we get to North India, the likes of Delhi especially. Are we right to feel like this, and should we investigate some tour operators based in India beforehand? (our International flights are already booked).
This e-mail request is all a bit over the place, I know. Just shows the jumbled mess we're in at moment! Any recommendations or advice would be gratefully received!
Cheers, Mel.

lin b

2005-10-02 20:31:02

Advice req for india travelling virgins

I am pretty sure Tidal waves is virtually next door to me, very close to the beach, If it is where I am thinking I have a friend who stays there every year, and seems happy with it, I will try and find out for sure tomorrow.
Re train travel, there is a section at the top of the page with a lot of useful information.

Melbert

2005-10-02 20:43:49

Thanks Lin. If you could find out that would be very helpful. There doesn't seem to be any websites on the guesthouse so I feel a bit in the dark. Would be good to hear of a recommendation.
What a great website! I'm learning so much from just trailing through the many posts!
Cheers, Mel.

Fiona

2005-10-02 20:52:25

Mel
Welcome to HT. I just knew that lin would answer- she is one of many who can give you good advice. You've joined a first class forum( totally unbiased opinion!)

Fiona

2005-10-02 20:56:34

advice on trains here
Hampi here
Golden Triangle tours here

lin b

2005-10-03 09:50:50

Advise req for indian travelling virgins

Thanks Fiona, It sounds like I need to get out more.
It is the place I was thinking of, it is in a nice location very close to the beach. Cant get hold of the friend who stays there, but he has been using it for a few years and I remember him saying the owner is a nice helpful guy, It looks nice but I havn't been inside. The owner also has a beach shack of the same name, mayby someone else here may have used it.
Hope this helps a little,
Lin

candolimlover

2005-10-03 09:59:28

If the owner is called Warren then my friends stay there and the rooms are lovely.

Warren is a lovely guy and the shack is lovely too. His wife is called Jane and her sister has a beauty salon on the lane that runs down to the beach from Casa Sea Shell and that is really good.

Would definately recommend it - take a torch though it's a bit dark walking from the road.

Hope this helps.

goamike

2005-10-03 10:06:36

Might be worth having a look at this site http://www.indiamike.com

look under minor destinations for goa & kerala.

gramps

2005-10-03 12:51:34

advice req for India travel virgins

We did a trip a couple of years that might interest you. It' to interesting parts of Karnataka, the next state south of Goa We visited Coorg County, a beautiful coffee growing area, stayed in an eco lodge,orange county resort, visited Dubare elephant camp which was very hands on, far superier to any we have visited in Sri Lanka or Thailand then on to stay in Kabini River Lodge, part of Nagarhole Natinal Park. It's full of wldlife, hundreds of elephants and a chance to spot tigers too. It was absolutley fabulous. The trip also takes in Bangalore and Mysore. have a look at
http://www.karnatakatravel.com. We fixed it up through Eddie & Enid at Daytripper in Calangute You will find out more about them in other posts here We find them invaluable for our trips whilst based in Goa Happy travelling.

Melbert

2005-10-05 22:32:01

Thanks for everyone's kind replies. We have since been in contact with Warren (yes that is his name!) and all is confirmed for our first trip to Goa it seems!
The Karnataka trip sounds lovely and I've already looked into using Daytripper for a Hampi tour, so it look's like they'll be getting a lot of our business! Do you think we'll need to book up tours before we arrive in India? Not sure how this 'peak season' effects us having to book early.
We are staying in the Residency Hotel in Mumbai for the first few nights, has anyone got any feedback on this place?

lauraj

2005-10-06 17:56:05

good choice using eddie form daytripper! we did loads of trips with him earlier this year, inlcuding Hampi! definately do this trip! Also, to golden trianlge and tiger reserve, to karnatakar to do white water rafting and stayed in tents!

if you are staying a while you wont need to book your trips until you are in goa, but you can email eddie and he will pencil you in on dates you think you will want to go on your trips!

I loved mumbai, very interesting place!sorry dont know about your hotel though, but im sure it will be fine!

have a great trip!

lin b

2005-10-10 13:41:41

Avice required for india travelling virgins

Does anyone have a contact No for Tidal Waves guest house :?: