India

India, with a population of more than a billion people, a massive – and massively diverse – land mass and spellbinding diversity, can be a hard place to pin down. To me it feels more like a continent than a country and I can understand why some people find it a little bewildering and confusing.

We sent travel writer and wildlife enthusiast Robin McKelvie on a research mission to Satpura National Park. Less frequented than the more famous Ranthambore National Park, here he shares his experience spotting on his jeep, walking and canoe safari.

Delhi is one of those cities that you have to visit at least once in a lifetime. It is India’s London, Paris or New York, a truly global city bursting with enough to do to occupy you for a month, never mind a few days.

Delhi has the capital status and Agra the unparalleled Taj Mahal, but for Robin Mckelvie, one Indian city has it all. Jaipur, the largest city in Rajasthan, is one of the fastest growing hubs in this dynamic country of more than a billion people.

Rajasthan has an abundance of heritage and offers some fabulous cities to visit including: Jaipur, Ajmer, Jodshpur, Udaipur, Chittorgarh and Jaisalmer. Here’s a short guide by local Rajasthan enthusiast, Rohit, about the top things to experience in the state.

We’re very excited to launch a new range of carefully curated experiences in Southern India. This is an in-depth expansion of our original portfolio and suits travellers wanting to experience the region with a difference and get under the surface of the destination in comfort.

The first time I saw Lucknow was on route to Varanasi – a fleeting visit while I waited for a delayed train – and all I saw of the city was its beautiful railway station. I’m really glad I got the opportunity to experience it a second time. We love the city so much here at Experience Travel Group that we have created our very own signature experience there.

When the British winter has you wondering if the sun actually ever existed and you haven’t seen your own skin in weeks, you know it’s time to jet off in search of winter sun.You need somewhere exotic, somewhere sunny and warm, somewhere with beautiful flora, palm tree-lined beaches, smiling people and delicious food. Here are our best places to travel across this season:

Learning about our ancestors can help us to get to the bottom of our identity; what has our family done, where have they lived and how does that influence ourselves and our relatives today?

Exploring your family tree can be a fascinating and exciting trip through history, but with such a wealth of information out there on the Internet – and so many different resources to take it from – where do you start?

If you wanted to include an extra special, unique element to your next summer holiday, why not consider staying in a new hotel? Here, we’re rounding up the best set to open in time. Do note that construction schedules can sometimes change and rates for rooms may not be listed yet – but this article is a good place start for inspiration.

It’s never been easier to reach anywhere in the world, so why should you choose Asia?

Sheena travelled to the Jaipur Literature Festival 2014 and had an incredible experience listening to the world’s most respected writers and artists during the week-long celebration. Here she shares the highlights of her adventure.

Mu explored the wild and varied nature of India’s famous national parks. Spotting wild peacocks rooting at the side of the road, to hearing the chattering of Nynah birds to close encounters with rather confident monkeys, here she shares her experience:

If you’re looking for an unusual, sunny and exotic destination for your Christmas holidays, Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent are ideal places to go. With their incredible array of experiences be they wildlife, foodie and or cultural, there’ll be something for everyone. Here’s a list of our best family holiday destinations to consider:

Few days are more important in the Experience Travel Group office than World Gin and Tonic Day. When I asked travel experts for their nominations, a buzz of excitement like electricity burst through the room whilst murmured whispers to each other about not doubling up nominations ensued. Safe to say, we’re passionate about this drink and know a good GnT when we taste one. Here’s our guide to the best in Asia.

There are some fantastic deals and lush landscapes away from the crowds when travelling in low season throughout Asia. When there is rain, it is often short and sharp and we can try to make sure you get fantastic weather by incorporating a beach stay in a region with glorious sunshine. This short guide will give you some great ideas about combining the best value destinations with the superb beaches.

Nick shares part 2 of his top 10 experiences in Southern India. From experiencing local festivals, to sampling delicious food, he gives his insider tips to getting the best out of your holiday to Kerala.

After returning from his trip to South India, travel specialist Nick shares part 1 of his top 10 experiences in this relaxed and stunning region of the world.

With so many temples available to visit – how do you make sure you avoid the dreaded temple fatigue?
Here our Asia travel specialist, Lucy, gives 6 top tips:

For the new year, we asked our team to nominate their favourite hotels and explain why. From sumptuous luxury experiences to learning traditional archery, here’s our selection.

James, with his in-depth knowledge of India, Borneo and Southeast Asia is the newest recruit to the ETG travel team. He’s joined us after a sensational demand for our holidays and we’re very pleased to welcome him as a travel specialist. Get to know James in his introductory blog.

All of our tailor-made holidays are crafted from our own first-hand experiences. So, without further ado, here are our highlights of 2015 – including some new and unusual experiences you can try on your own travels.

Sam gives his insider tips on travelling in India. From turban tying, to kite flying to staying in castles, here he tells us more about his favourite experiences.

Philippa Kaye, our ‘on the ground’ travel expert in Delhi, says everyone travelling to India should stay in a homestay. I was surprised because for me ‘homestays’ conjure images of quaint local houses, with pretty basic conditions, in remote rural locations – they certainly weren’t for everyone. I went to investigate myself to resolve the great Indian homestay conundrum.

A luxury camping experience can really help you get back to nature without giving up on comfort. Think sumptuous canopy beds, wooden decking and antique furnishings – set against stunning natural landscapes, of course.

Finding your next family holiday destination can be a daunting prospect. To make your life a little easier, we’ve put together a round-up of the best family holiday destinations all around Asia.

With the launch of our newest destination, I thought it’s time to share some of my insider secrets and favourite experiences in India.

Fantastic news from the High Commission of India today; UK passport holders can now gain entry to India via their successful E-visa scheme which has being running for many nationalities since November 2014.

As well as being fun in itself, cycling can add a whole new dimension to your experience of the country you are visiting and contributes to the feeling of discovery that you get with any Experience Travel Group holiday.