While I am hesitant to name one country as my favourite travel destination, I recognise India as being a strong contender. Whether it was the street culture of Calcutta, the attitudes of the railway children or the 8,000m high peaks of the Himalayan Mountains, I was constantly amazed by this truly inspirational country.

I had little knowledge of this sub-continent before travelling there but I returned with the most amazing memories and friendships that I know will be maintained. The 3 month trip in 2006 allowed me to get under the skin of local life and begin to appreciate the different cultures. I endeavoured to travel off the tourist trail as much as possible and managed to explore areas around the Bhutanese border and Kashmir as well as the well known sights such as The Taj Mahal and the Dalai Lama’s residence in McLeod Ganj. I was surprised by the diversity of cultures within the country but there were always two unifying qualities of the people: a boundless hospitality and a wonderful sense of humour and it is qualities such as these which made India such a special destination.

I travelled with a university friend, Holly, for a period before she returned to the UK after which I explored the far north on my own and then with a few Israeli travellers.

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