Dream Destination: Food tour of India

India is one of those places that I imagine you can drink in the colours, smells, flavours, spices and sounds and get drunk on it all. It's a place that I have a very romantic image of in my head, and a place I would really, really like to visit.

However, there are a lot of reservations in visiting India. D is not very keen on visiting somewhere with such a bad track record on women's rights and with such social injustice and poverty. And I completely see his points. I have heard from people who have visited India that it is actually quite an upsetting place to visit, with lots of problems with begging and generally western tourists being a little ripped off by locals. And then there is Dehli belly....

However, with all that being said, I saw this trip on the Intrepid Travel website, which I thought looked really fun. I think if we did decide to visit India, it would be a trip like this we would take.

From Intrepid Travel

Why India?
In the same vein as Japan, as as China before that, India is appealing to me as it's somewhere so foreign - the like of which I have never visited in my life. Asia is vast and different, and this is just another face of Asia I would like to get to know.

Major cities/attractions:

• Delhi: This tour takes in Delhi, India's capital city. This trip affords visitors trips to the bustling Delhi markets, and visits to ancient mosques. 
• Taj Mahal: This white marble monument is high on my India list, adn this tour takes you there and affords you time to explore the English gardens.
• Goa: Time to visit the exotic beaches and gorgeous seafood restaurants.
• Mumbai: The crown in India's business crown, Mumbai is one of the bustling must-sees of this country.

Taj Mahal

Getting there?

Travelling in October from Dublin-Delhi, then from Goa back to Dublin will set you back about £500 per person.

Getting around?

This tour takes care of all the travel and getting from place to place, and covers internal flights, metro passes, private shuttles, taxi and train.

How long do you need?

This tour lasts 15 days, and has stops in eight locations, which is a busy trip but long enough to get to see all these places. 

When to visit?

Between October and March seems to be the best time to visit this country, though it is so vast that weather systems can be very different in different cities and at different times of the year. 

Non-negotiables?

Goa

Goa and Taj Mahal.

Dream Destination: Mainland Japan

Tokyo

For those of you that have been following this blog recently, you will know that last month I started a new series called Dream Destinations, to allow me to explore locations for that next trip we might take! The next big escape we will plan (once we have our house stuff sorted, please refer to China post if this makes no sense!) will likely be Asia, as neither D nor I have been before and it is right at the top of our bucket list. Having visited lots of places in Europe and North America, it is time to visit somewhere that will be a lot more challenging to get around and a much bigger culture shock, depending on where we go.

Mainland Japan (which for the purposes of this blog post I will call 'Japan') is the next stop on this series, and as it's a little more manageable in size than China I am going to explore the cities right across Japan that can be hit up in one super-trip.

Why Japan?
As some of you might already know, I am a huge history buff and love anything to do with the world wars in particular. Japan's role in the second world war in particular is fascinating and I want to go there and explore what I can on the ground. Tokyo is a huge metropolis that I want to spend a few days getting lost in and Hiroshima is at the top of my list for a visit. I have visions of cherry blossom trees, tea ceremonies, mountains and lakes, bright lights, bullet trains, fast cars and great food.

Major cities/attractions?

Mt Fuji

• Tokyo Old meets new in Japan's capital city, home to over 13 million people.
• Hiroshima This one needs very little explaining, the sight of the devastating nuclear attack by American forces. I imagine it would be extremely surreal to stand in the very place the bomb fell and reflect on the devastation that humans can wreck on one another. 
• Mt Fuji There are a few towns that offer exceptional views of the iconic Mount Fuji, some nice spa hotels in and around there offer guests the chance to soak in natural hot springs with an uninterrupted view of this dormant volcano
• Kyoto Large swathes of this city are protected by UNESCO, as so many monuments and relics in the city have been spared demolition of war and foreign forces that other locations in the country have suffered. 

Getting there?

To get from Dublin to Tokyo around October time will set you back £500 (approx) for each person. However, there are no direct flights so watch out for transfer times in airports as this can really make the journey lonnnng.

Getting around?

A Japan Rail Pass costs approximately £285 per person for two weeks, and it allows the user access to the network across the entire country. Alternatively, if the self-guided touring isn't your bag, there are some good tours including this 14 day trip from Intrepid Travel, which will set you back £2535 per person (excluding flights) and hits up some major headline locations, including Tokyo, Hiroshima and Kyoto.

How long do you need? 

I would anticipate a trip to mainland China would take at least 10-14 days to see it properly and at a relaxing pace. 

Autumn in Kyoto

When to visit?

The weather is kindest to tourists in Spring and Autumn, Spring being the time of year when you get to see the famous cherry blossom trees. 

Non-negotiables?

Hiroshima. 

Ground Zero at Hiroshima

Spring wish wear list

Spring, please hurry. I've had enough of the cold, wet, dark days, and I yearn for brighter mornings, chirpier moods, lambs and daffodils! I have trawled some of the high street websites, to find some bright spring pieces I would love this season.

For work

Next - Print Fluted Sleeve Textured Dress - £28
Tesco F&F - Checked Slim Leg Trousers - £18

For chill

Next denim dress - £30

Tesco F&F - Striped wool jumper - £16

For play

River Island Green wrap front blouse - £36

Accessories

Asda - Faux leather jacket in brown - £30

Topshop - Glitter Eye Brooch - £6.50