India

India will sideswipe you with its size, clamour and diversity - but if you enjoy delving into convoluted cosmologies and thrive on sensual overload, then India is one of the most intricate and rewarding dramas unfolding on earth, and you'll quickly develop an abiding passion for it.

Nothing in the country is ever quite what you expect, and the only thing to expect is the unexpected, which comes in many forms and will always want to sit next to you. India is a litmus test for many travellers and some are only too happy to leave, while others stay for a lifetime.