1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

It is difficult to choose just one part of this great holiday as a highlight. Seeing the sun rise over the Taj Mahal was special (especially as we were the first in on that day). Although I had seen so many photos, it did not underwhelm. But happy memories are also from the unexpected parts of the holiday - visiting small villages, the children running to our bus when they saw it coming, just to wave and smile (and of course got waves and big smiles back) or wanting us to take their photos - just so they could see themselves on the camera screens; the wedding party on a house next to the hotel; dancing with the village girls the night before their festival. These are memories that will linger.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

Relax and enjoy! There is a lot of travelling in this holiday - but it meant that we saw more the country. This was not a 5 star trip - but that is not what we wanted. All hotels were clean and at least adequate - the heritage hotels were very special, each with its own atmosphere and often beautiful buildings, carefully restored. In our opinion, this meant so much more that 5 star. Don't worry about taking too much medication with you - you are never very far from a chemist. Try Indian rum - i don't drink rum, but this was nice - and no hangovers in the morning!!

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?

We travelled many many miles, which will obviously have some environmental impact but the reason that I chose this holiday is that I hope that our presence did help the local communities. We stayed in smaller hotels, no multinationals, thus the money will have stayed locally. We ate in local restaurants- hopefully again putting money locally. Travelling with a small group was also a bonus - it meant we did not overwhelm whenever we arrived anywhere.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

It was a holiday and an experience. It lived up to all our expectations of India - the sights, colours and atmosphere - and then exceeded them with the friendliness we found in the more rural areas. Do go!

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

Staying at heritage hotels; visits to villages, learning something about what life is like in rural India; comparing the foregoing with the opulence of palaces.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

Be prepared to be tolerant and patient, recognise that not everything will be perfect eg hot water may be erratic; and although the holiday was not over-exerting, some of it was a bit strenuous hence reasonable physical fitness is an asset.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?

I feel there was some benefit to local people, especially in the heritage hotels and smaller locally-owned hotels; environmental impact - hard to say, I guess we inevitably added to "carbon pollution" from the travel involved, but on the other hand avoided disruption to local communities, didn't foul places up etc.

4. Any other comments?

I'm increasingly switched on to the concept of responsible travel and congratulate you on your activities. Definitely 5 stars- it was a wonderful holiday.