Just back from India — ask me anything

[BigNick]

Is it safe to eat street food for Americans there?

Well, I'm not an American, so I can't be sure.

The only things we consumed from actual street vendors were some vegetarian samosas and vada pav, plus some fresh soda/juice combos, plus the ubiquitous masala chai. We reasoned that soda (as opposed to still water) beverages would be guaranteed to be made with bottled water, although of course your typical street food stand isn't plumbed in to the mains water anyway.

We ate in reasonable-to-good quality local restaurants and did not get sick. The only disruption to our digestive systems was the occasional rumble, which in our case was well within the normal range that we encounter when changing cuisines, notably fats (the default fat in India is ghee, which is clarified butter).

Our driver in Delhi recommended against going to a dhaba (greasy spoon), not for safety reasons but because "It's loud and not very comfortable". I would have been up for it, if only to say that I had a meal for a buck, but DW was a bit more cautious. But in Cochin we had a biryani (which we ate with our hands) and two juices in a decent place for $5.

 

[BigNick]

That’s without airfare I assume. How much did the entire trip cost you including everything?

Just curious because we did 16 days in southern Italy and Sicily through a tour and it was thousands. $17,000 total when all was said and done.

2 x $2,350 for the tour
$700 spending money and tips (YMMV as a function of shopping and alcohol consumption)
2 x $600 air fare from Europe (premium economy)
2 x $1,650 air fare back to Europe (business class)

So just shy of €10,000.

 

[BigNick]

Going in March 2026. Could you please share the tour company you used and any comments on them? Thanks

Please send me a DM.

 

[BigNick]

For some reason this thread is getting traction. After having had 3 DMs in two weeks asking for the agency info, I had 7 overnight...

 

[skyking1]

These folks know a good time when they hear about it
DW would not go, but I have read through with interest and appreciate it.

 

[BigNick]

I would love to get the information on your travel agency. Trip of a lifetime!

Sure, send me a DM.

 

[stevenr]

Also interested in travel agency.

Any good activity/restaurant recs in Palma de Mallorca? Will be there in June!

 

[Mr T]

DM sent.

What are the best months to travel in India ? Could also DM me the name of the travel agency? Thanks

 

[Luvtoride]

Going in March 2026. Could you please share the tour company you used and any comments on them? Thanks

Big Nick and nozzer, thanks for this thread and all the great travel info. I just booked a trip to India with OAT travel for this October. I booked it with a friend of mine who wanted to go there for touring but whose DW like mine, has NO Interest in going to India. We booked 2 single rooms in this small group tour that will cover the Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and Varanasi regions for 16 days including a safari in Ranthambore National Park.
I haven’t done an OAT tour but my friend and his wife have done several and have found them great to travel with, with local guides that are with your small group the entire trip.
I will probably have more specific questions as we get closer and hope I can keep this thread going or DM you both with the questions. @nozzer are you back from your trip you mentioned that you were taking this month? Would love to hear more about it when you return.

 

[CaliKid]

Big Nick and nozzer, thanks for this thread and all the great travel info. I just booked a trip to India with OAT travel for this October. I booked it with a friend of mine who wanted to go there for touring but whose DW like mine, has NO Interest in going to India. We booked 2 single rooms in this small group tour that will cover the Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and Varanasi regions for 16 days including a safari in Ranthambore National Park.
I haven’t done an OAT tour but my friend and his wife have done several and have found them great to travel with, with local guides that are with your small group the entire trip.
I will probably have more specific questions as we get closer and hope I can keep this thread going or DM you both with the questions. @nozzer are you back from your trip you mentioned that you were taking this month? Would love to hear more about it when you return.

I have heard OAT trips are excellent! Best of luck with it!

 

[BigNick]

Sure, ask me anything. I don't log in here every day, but if you send a DM I will get a notification.

 

[audreyh1]

Big Nick and nozzer, thanks for this thread and all the great travel info. I just booked a trip to India with OAT travel for this October. I booked it with a friend of mine who wanted to go there for touring but whose DW like mine, has NO Interest in going to India. We booked 2 single rooms in this small group tour that will cover the Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and Varanasi regions for 16 days including a safari in Ranthambore National Park.
I haven’t done an OAT tour but my friend and his wife have done several and have found them great to travel with, with local guides that are with your small group the entire trip.
I will probably have more specific questions as we get closer and hope I can keep this thread going or DM you both with the questions. @nozzer are you back from your trip you mentioned that you were taking this month? Would love to hear more about it when you return.

That sounds great. Please give us a trip report when you have a chance.

 

[NW-Bound]

For some reason this thread is getting traction. After having had 3 DMs in two weeks asking for the agency info, I had 7 overnight...

I looked, and indeed you started this thread a year ago in March 2025. I also learned you have moved to Mallorca. I remember you used to be in Strasbourg, and I could have run into you while visiting there in 2017 or so.