Hi, <BR><BR>I will be going to Bangalore, India sometime this year. I was thinking of going in July or August but I have been told that is monsoon season. Does anyone know how much rain can be expected that time of year?<BR><BR>I will be staying at a monastery near Bangalore in Mysore. Has anyone ever been to this area and if so, what can you tell me about it? Is there anything going on in the city area? <BR><BR>Also, I'd like to travel to Dharamsala by plane during my stay. Does anyone have any comments about Air India? (safety, reliability, etc.) <BR><BR>Any advice or comments would be appreciated. I am an experienced traveler but have never been to India before. I am having a hard time finding much information about Bangalore &amp; Mysore on the internet. <BR><BR>Thanks!

Hello,

We took a trip to Paris ten days ago using Air India. I've posted the particulars on Frommers.com under the FRANCE message board (Click on &quot;Community/Europe/France/Air india Flights to Paris&quot I would NOT recommend them!

Good luck!
Jean

I don't think Banglore gets hit badly by Monsoons but I could be wrong.
Air-India is fine. There is a domestic airline called Jet Airways which is excellent.

I concur with other poster, in that Jet Airways is excellent. Comfortable flight, good food and superb in-flight mag. However, be warned that foreigners pay much more than locals on internal flights, quite unfair.

Hello Heidi,
Mysore is a convenient gateway to a lot of interesting places nearby. If you are interested in wildlife you may consider Kabini river lodge or Bandipur Sanctuary or Madumalai Sanctuary. If you are keen on Hill stations and treks, you could consider Coorg, Ooty or Coonoor. If you like monasteries, you could visit Bylekuppe the largest Tibetan settlement outside Dharamshala. Visit the Sera monastery nearby.
I am not sure you can fly directly to Dharamsala. You would probably fly down to Chandigarh via Delhi and bus /taxi it down from there. This would be a nine hour road journey from Chandigarh. I am not sure whether the airstrip near Dharamsala called Kangra airport still has any direct flights to/ from Delhi. And yes Jet Airways is a better option than Indian Airlines.
Write back in case you need any more information.
Cheers
Rajat