what to wear

I am travelling yo India on 29.03.09 for 3 weeks, visiting New Delhi, Rathanbore, Agra, Mumbai and Goa fror 1 week. What type of clothe should I take. I%26#39;ve heard that outside of Goa I should avoid vest tops/ shorts etc is this true? Will I be ok to wear a strappy dress for dinner in the hotels? Is it much more relaxed in Goa regarding the clothing. Do I need a hat. I am travelling withmy husband and kids, ages 9,11 and 15, Any tips for the kids whilst there? thanks

what to wear

Yes, outside Goa you should definitely avoid vest tops and shorts. What genders are the kids? A girl of 15 should also avoid them, and probably even one of 11, depending on how old she looks. Apart from stares, comments, gropes, and even the possibility of a lobbed stone, you will not be allowed into any sites that are places of worship (which would include the Taj Mahal I believe). Actually, even your husband might not get into some places in shorts.

In any case, it will be extremely hot and if you are white, your skin will thank you for covering it up.

I don%26#39;t like hats, but I do wear a headscarf.

A strappy dress in a smart hotel is fine, (except you may freeze in the A/C), but frankly I wouldn%26#39;t bother lugging one around. Even in quite smart hotels, as a tourist you can get away with dressing quite casually providing your clothes are clean and neat, so you might as well take stuff that is multi-functional. And you might want to eat in restaurants where locals eat (where local dress rules will apply), not just in the hotels (if you are thinking that food is much %26#39;safer%26#39; in hotels, don%26#39;t - the only time I have ended up in hospital with food poisoning, it was from a 5-star hotel. They tend to serve buffets, esp to tour groups, and these are serious health risks unless you get there the minute they are put out. I also had almost raw meat served in a 4-star hotel restaurant curry).

Goa is much more relaxed.

what to wear

Excellent piece of advice Kate !

thanks for that. Youngest 2 children are boys, 15 yr old is girl, so guess she best dress like me too as she does look older. Are ordinary t shirts ok ie ones with short sleeves? Would you suggest tousers or long skirt for visiting Taj? Would the 2 boys be allowed in the sites wearing kneee length shorts?

Short sleeves are fine. Long skirt or trousers - both fine. I find skirts cooler, and easier to manage using squat toilets.

I would think the boys would be OK in knee length shorts. If your husband wants to wear shorts he could do what mine does - carry a lunghi with him to wrap around when the occasion demands his knees be covered. Hey, if it%26#39;s good enough for David Beckham...

I would say, bring that strappy dress! The lovely thing about travel in India is that five-star dinners are actually affordable. Some of the best food in the country is available at specialitiy restaurants at 5-star hotels - and while the hotel management may be relaxed about what is admissible, you will find many other well dressed and well groomed women there and may end up wishing you were better dressed. I usually tell people to bring at least 1 dress, something strappy and nice, and bring a shawl too, just in case you need to cover up. Frankly it%26#39;s the shoes that are tricky, but I am quite adamant about taking at least one pair of fine heeled shoes, something glamorous just so I can feel good when I want to!

:)

- Deepa

It is already very sunny here. I am not white skinned, but I use my wide-brimmed M%26amp;S hat when going out now. I%26#39;d rather look strange than burn. I also cover my neck and arms just from point of view of sun, since I burn really badly.

You may like to post in the Goa forum too for what to wear there. You may not wish to be over-dressed :)

Mumbai is quite cosmopolitan. Except for places of worship, sleeveless vests (no wide swathe of tummy showing, tho) and knee-length shorts (not tight) should be fine for you and your daughter in most places here, as long as you look good in them. If in doubt, casual, light trousers are good. My daughter here wears sleeveless tops, shorts and skirts upto 3 inches above knees, but she does not have to go to very crowded areas, I must admit. I would too if I looked good in them :)

Groping can occur even if you are in Indian dress and well covered. Unfortunate, but I do not wish to deny it. Please prepare your daughter that it may just happen. I am happy to shout, hit or spit in retaliation (only), but I am rather more used to these surroundings :) Normally I am the picture of decorum.

This is only in addition to what the others have said, not to contradict them. Their advice makes sense too.

Don%26#39;t bother too much about the boys%26#39; clothes. There is no dress code for children anywhere. Just ensure that they are protected from the sun. It%26#39;s going to very hot in all the places you are visiting. Keep yourself hydrated and for that use bottled water at all times.

Eat cooked and hot food as far as possible. Avoid salads and other uncooked food.

Hope this helps alongwith all the other advice!

Enjoy your trip....