Chill right out on Goa's idyllic beaches

Hippies, sadhus and sunburned British housewives all converge on the white sandy beaches of Goa where the laid-back lifestyle, idyllic beaches and perfectly seasoned seafood make the state the quintessential holiday hotspot.

But there is more to Goa than lounge chair living. This former Portuguese colony is small enough to explore on even a short holiday.

Float down the Kerala backwaters

At the very southern tip of India lies the country's soft green underbelly. It's a kinder, gentler India that oozes charm and bursts with life.

Drift down meandering canals in a rice barge-turned-houseboat, spot wild elephants in Periyar Wildlife Reserve or lose yourself in the rambling alleyways of Fort Cochin.

Reenact your favourite scene from Octopussy at the Lake Palace in Udaipur.

Picture: Graeme Israel

As raucous and unpredictable as the family drunk, Rajasthan is India at its most brazen and extraordinary.

The state will startle you with its barrage of colour as much as it awes you with its postcard-perfect panoramas.

The Dalai Lama calls McLeod Ganj home. Picture: Graeme Israel

Covering one-tenth of the world's surface, the Himalayas are a spectacle all to themselves.

Throw in an exiled Buddhist leader, a few hundred thousand of his followers and arguably the best latte the subcontinent has to offer and you've got a recipe for a truly unique destination.

The Jama Masjid mosque in Delhi Picture: Graeme Israel

For the unprepared traveller, Delhi is an accident waiting to happen.

Corrupt taxi drivers, unforgiving traffic and questionable hygiene standards threaten to make this sprawling city a hellish experience.

The Taj Majal is a must-see for any visitor to India.

Picture: Graeme Israel

Practically the emblem for India itself, the Taj Mahal is a must-see for any visitor to India.

The surrounding city of Agra is a sprawling industrial town that is lacking in any real charm but well worth tolerating to view the staggering beauty of the Taj Mahal for yourself.

Bathers by the Varanasi ghats ... but beware, this city is no beach resort. Picture: Andrew Price

There's water, coconuts and beach umbrellas, but if Varanasi is a beach resort, something has gone horribly, horribly wrong.

Rishikesh is a yoga haven for Western hippies. Picture: Graeme Israel

Rishikesh is something of a spiritual Disneyland and a welcome antidote to India's big cities.

Ashrams line the banks of the Ganges as it wends its way through a spectacular valley backed by mountains that dwarf two gargantuan, 14-storey temples.