20 reasons to not visit India
India
As their fifth wedding anniversary approached, Prince William and Kate Middleton took a royal tour of India and Bhutan this year. By all accounts they looked great while they attended to affairs of state.
But if they hadn't been dragged there, kicking and screaming, by work duties - would they even have gone to India? The jury is still out. That's why we've put together this list of 20 reasons why you would probably be better avoiding India.
If you're considering a trip to South Asia complete with royal treatment, you could go on an all inclusive holiday. But make sure to consider all the issues first, for example…
1 There's not much to see
The royal tour stopped off at a little-known mausoleum called the Taj Mahal. But you probably have no interest in dusty old buildings?
Credit - Dennis Archer
2 The cities are all concrete jungles
Udaipur is known as the "Venice of the East" thanks to its many palaces that sit on lakes. No roads? Insanity!
Credit - Spetnaz Arts
3 The beaches in India don't really inspire…
White sands, thousands of miles of sea past the horizon, sunsets. Must try harder!
Credit - Thangaraj Kumaravel
4 It's a little bit backwards politically…
With a population of 1.2 billion people, India is the biggest example of a weird political system called "democracy". It also has the world's third economy by purchasing power. Only third?
Credit - Spetnaz Arts
5 …and culturally as well
India has the lowest meat consumption per person in the world, with 20-40% identifying as vegetarians. Food labelling is clear as a result.
Credit - Arian Zwegers
6 India is so samey
With 22 official languages and people from more than 2,000 ethnic groups, India is almost more like a continent than a country. Boring!
Credit - Spetnaz Arts
7 You won't find classic castles like you do in Britain
Agra Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site within walking distance of the gardens of the Taj Mahal.
Credit - Spetnaz Arts
8 The architecture isn't very impressive
As few as 25,000 people can pray in the Jama Masjid of Delhi, the largest mosque in India.
Credit - Spetnaz Arts
9 Not much happens in India
100 million people attend India's Kumbh Mela festival - the biggest gathering of humans in the world. Snore. So what if you can see it from space?
Credit - Seba Della y Sole Bossio
10 It's too claustrophobic
You'll find yoga retreats, wildlife sanctuaries and waterfalls near Vythiri in Wayanad.
Credit - Spetnaz Arts
11 There's no colourful wildlife
Elephants are held in high esteem - they were traditionally important in battle and now carry people to weddings as well. They even have their own spa in Kerala!
Credit - Spetnaz Arts
12 See - this white tiger literally has no colour! What's that about?
White tigers can only generally be found in India.
Credit - Spetnaz Arts
13 There's nowhere to go for adventurous outdoor-types
These so-called "Himalayas" aren't a patch on the Brecon Beacons, are they?
Credit - Spetnaz Arts
14 Multiculturalism is a problem
The Sikh-run Golden Temple feeds free vegetarian meals to over 100,000 people daily regardless of race, religion or social class.
Credit - Arian Zwegers
15 There's not enough entertainment
Bollywood is the world's largest film industry, ahead of Nigeria's Nollywood and Hollywood.
Credit - Ian Armstrong
16 Britain took culture to India in the 18 th century…
All those intricately carved temples built around 950-1050 AD must be a figment of your imagination.
[Image - Khajuraho temple]
Credit - Spetnaz Arts
17 …and learning was a British import as well
The ancient Buddhist site of Nalanda was home to one of the earliest universities in the world, around five centuries older than the University of Oxford.
Credit - Michael Eisenriegler
18 Goa is all about partying
No stunning vistas and moody seascapes to be enjoyed there!
19 You won't like the food…
Arguably the oldest continuously prepared cuisine in history, Indian cuisine is consistently among the UK's favorite foods..
20 …and the cuisine is pretty flavourless, too
India supplies a meagre 70% of the world's spices!
Credit - Sara Marlowe