A book from 2009, by author Susan Sessions Rugh titled Family Vacation, recently caught my eye. Retro in style, the book creatively captures the heart of the age-old family vacation. Colorful family photos mixed with travel advertisements from the late 50′s through mid 60′s recount an era when it was so easy to pack up the kids into a station wagon, all points heading West. And it dawned on me that traveling India is like a classic 1950′s family vacation.

Arrival

Tourists fly into 1 of the 5 major airports of India; where, if they pre-booked a tour using an Indian travel agency, they are greeted by a local representative.  Each guest is welcomed with a traditional garland of marigolds, placed over their heads, followed by “namaste” as two palms pressed together signal a warm Indian style hello. Sound familiar? A very similar welcome is performed for visitors to the tropical island of Hawaii; Just swap out marigolds for the traditional Hawaiian lei and “Aloha” as the customary greeting.

Transportation

Wood paneling emblazoned on the sides of station wagons were all the rage during the 40′s, 50′s and 60′s. Families crammed themselves into the inside open cargo space leaving little to no room for luggage. The result? Bags were strapped to the roofs of these behemoths in all sorts of crazy fashions. One hoped it didn’t rain, and prayed the straps would hold as a fast moving semis roared past.

Flash forward to the automobiles in India today to find SUV’s the most popular choice to move around visiting groups and families. Indian drivers play the traditional role of the father helping to secure excess luggage overhead while adjusting seats for passengers inside. Indian SUV’s can hold as many as 7 adults in relative comfort as their luggage soars above them. One thing that hasn’t changed is the hope for no rain, and that the precious cargo stays in place as traffic speeds past.

Monuments

Interstates were becoming a more common means to travel quickly between two points during the 1960′s. But families relied on the more familiar, smaller highways as their means to move about on vacation. Why? Roadside attractions sprung up throughout the country as the automobile craze brought more and more traffic into formerly undiscovered areas. Word of mouth spread from town to town, state to state, turning some local monuments into famous, must see destination sites.

India is experiencing this same boom as expanded, well groomed roads spread further into the countryside. Foreign tourists freely travel from city to city often stopping to stretch tired legs at respected local temples, once opulent grand forts and palaces, and famous gardens. These monuments built in traditional Hindu and Muslim buildings provide glorious photo opportunities to share with relatives back home. Handicrafts sold nearby entice tourists to draw out their wallets in the same way as American gift shops. Who can pass up the chance to purchase a hand-made, one-of-a-kind rock carved in the shape of Ganesh? Not me!

Food

Popular "Palace" of Rajasthan offering a large buffet for hungry tourists

Owners of diners off-the-beaten-path desperately wanted to draw the hoards of vacationing families of the past. It just took some simple marketing tactics. Adding the word “famous” or “favorite” to a restaurant’s name peaked the interest of parents eager to keep vacations fun and exciting. The chance to tell friends and family back home that you ate at Ruth’s Famous Cafe overtook the logic in driving 20 or more miles off the main highway. And once there, the dining experience was a mixture of kitsch and adequate food. T-shirts and trinkets added to the experience while siphoning funds from dad’s wallet.

Indian highways are littered with signs from restaurant owners hoping to draw hungry passing tourists into their establishments. Many use the tactic of adding “Fort”, or “Palace” to their signs as a way to peak the curiosity of foreign travelings eager to see famous sights or find unknown local haunts. Large parking lots of tourist vehicles greet passengers who quickly realize the attraction is nothing more than a tourist trap.

But for the tourist traveling with a driver, good food can be found at well known Indian restaurants called dhabas. These local cafes are located directly off the roadside providing easy parking, large menus, toilets, and a place to stretch. Smaller dhabas offer quick service of cheap, filling food in a comfortable spot with easy access back to the highway. Larger dhabas entice customers with vibrant garden surroundings, gift shops, clean western toilets, flat screen TV’s and play areas for kids.

Accommodations

Clean, honest family motel with large rooms, food and parking for low rates

Drive-in motels were the common choice for the tired traveling family of the 1950′s-60′s. Clean rooms, pools, easy parking and a place to grab breakfast were enough to draw in car after car. Newer, larger hotel chains offered more amenities leaving older mom and pop’s to linger on the vine.

Tourists of India with pre-planned, travel agency itineraries, are typically booked into modern hotel chains offering the usual amenities of western brands. Yet smaller, independently owned motels offer more character, service, experience and value. Owners can help arrange local visits to popular locales, suggest the best eateries in town as well as offering room service of freshly prepared meals on site, recommend local merchants to design clothing or where to shop.

Come one, come all! The highways of India are waiting for you to rekindle the feel of a 1950′s vacation.

So what do these numbers mean? Conde Nast readers were asked to choose the best the world has to offer, I.E. hotels, spas, airlines and airports. Within those categories, several criteria were then rated including service and value for money. Once all the responses were compiled, an average satisfaction percentage was calculated by country.

Not surprisingly, India ranked #1 for people/hospitality at 94.44. All those hotel management schools scattered around the country are paying off!

In October 2010, the premiere issue of Conde Nast India will be hitting newsstands.

Thinking of a trip to India? Not sure where to start? How-To-Travel-India.com is a complete traveler’s resource for planning and executing a trip to South Asia.

Photo: WN.com

Good news for HIV+ travelers thinking of an Indian holiday. Currently there are no restrictions on entry to, or travel within, the country. Your HIV status is not asked during the Visa application process nor upon entry at Indian Customs.

However, foreign students entering with an Indian Visa must submit an “HIV test report from one of the WHO recognized institutions from people in the age group of 15 to 60 years, if the foreigner is visiting India on a visa for more than one year*”. This report is one of many documents required for registration with the Foreigner’s Registration Officer.

Tips for HIV-Positive Travelers to India

1. Look healthy. Avoid common habits such as blowing your nose, itching or coughing while passing through customs. Travelers who appear to be ill are likely to be targeted for in-depth questioning or inspections.

2. Be discreet and polite. Don’t draw any undue attention to yourself that could cause customs officials to pull you aside. Remember that raising your voice, placing hand on your hip and pointing are all considered rude gestures which can be easily misinterpreted.

3. Advertising the fact that you’re HIV-positive should be avoided. A red ribbon on your clothing may be your normal routine, but in India it’s best left at home.

4. Keep any HIV medications in their original containers and don’t try to hide them. If a customs official suspects illegal substances upon entry, you may be detained.

5. In case of travel delays, bring a few extra days or supplies and/or medicines.

6. If you are taking injectable medications you must have the medication along with you in order to carry empty syringes.

7. Bring a doctor’s certificate which states you are reliant on the medication packed, and that it has been prescribed by the doctor. Keep an extra copy for your carry on luggage along with a copy of your prescription(s) for easy reference.

8. Consult your medical provider to discuss preventative immunizations and precautionary measures while traveling. Access to excellent medical help is available throughout India should a situation arise.

*Source- Indiavisa.travisaoutsourcing.com