Well is it? I am in my mid-twenties, white, 5'8 blonde hair and blue eyes. Would it be safe for me to travel there with a male counterpart? Are there areas I should avoid?

I think you will be safe. I am travelling to India myself and have blonde hair etc, Check out journeywomen.com, I have heard you may be stared at out of curiosity but will be safe, in tourist spots they are used to foreigners, maybe in small villages it is more of a big deal. Go ! have fun !

I have been there 4 times (wife is Indian) and just use common sense. India is a poor country in which the dollar goes far so don't flash money or jewelery. You will be aproached by beggars, some of whom I am told own buildings so just go on your way. And don't forget to bargain as it is the custom there, eat only at the better restaurants (very cheap with dollars) and consider contacting a travel clinic for preventitive meds such as lariam for malaria, etc. This last part I stringly suggest as I once came down with thyphoid there. Don;t mean to scare you but you should be fine if you just use common sense about food and drink. And Indian beer is great! Cheers, Larry

any suggestions for places we must go? or good travel guides?

The Taj Mahal is a must and Delhi is close. Avoid Jammu-Kashmir because of the Indo-Pak tensions. How long do you have to be in India?

I have red hair and green eyes. At 5'7 you bet I stood out in a crowd. The only problem I encountered was beggars everywhere (don't make eye contact). Indians seem to be very touchy also, but I was never inappropriatly approached.