This quiet magical land of 70 villages, sandwiched between the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat, near Daman is blessed by nature with Lush green forests, meandering rivers, large waterfronts, cascading waterfalls, the gentle gurgle of streams, the distant hills, a gorgeous kaleidoscope of flora and fauna....yes, it is the serene and sylvan land of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Nature at her best.

The most convenient entry point into Gujarat is through the metropolis of Ahmedabad. The city contains some very fine museums, the Calico Museum of Textiles being considered among the world’s finest. Ahmedabad’s walled city is a living testimony to its heritage of crafts as women walk by in dazzling embroidered garments and flashing ethnic silver jewellery. Traditional Ahmedabad combines mosques of inspired workmanship, wooden Jain temples, unique stone stepwells and houses with ornately carved wooden balconies and window screens.

The most comprehensive beach resort in the country, Goa is approachable from Bombay by air. Goa’s coastline provides endless sun drenched crescents of sand. Vagator, Anjuna, Baga, Calangute and Candolim stretch out in an unbroken palm fringed line. Other beaches are at Miramar and Colva. Parasailing, yachting, windsurfing, and deep sea diving are some of the more popular water sports, facilities for which are available.

In Madhya Pradesh, Gwalior is the state’s northernmost city and a convenient entry point. Gwalior’s landmark is its hilltop fort which contains a fine museum and an ancient temple, among, other monuments. 120 km from Gwalior is the medieval city of Orchha with exquisite palaces and cenotaphs. Built by an 11th century king of the Bundela dynasty, Orchha is now a ghost city containing the remains of what must have been once spectacularly lovely monuments, and which combine Hindu and Muslim architectural.

India’s western gateway is Mumbai, with a major international airport and harbour. The city’s rise from the dowry of a Portuguese queen to the country’s foremost sea port, commercial centre and producer of films has been nothing short of meteoric.Mumbai’s Gothic architecture is embodied in the Gateway of India, Bombay High Court, Old Secretariat, University Buildings and Victoria Terminus. Open spaces in this crowded city include Chowpatty Beach, Juhu Beach and Sanjay Gandhi National Park, the latter a fine wildlife park at Borivili.