My wife and I traveled to Ladakh to visit our daughter in Leh. We wanted to visit Srinagar and particularly the houseboats on Lake Dal. I looked up the area on the Foreign Office Website, which gave a certain amount of unhelpful warnings. Believing them always to be overcautious – I have found this to be the case in several countries. I decided none the less to visit Kashmir.

Our experience was altogether outstanding. We had a most wonderful week on a most comfortable houseboat.

I was tranquil and relaxing and we were looked after by very kind people. As for security – we never once felt in any sort of danger. Yes, there were lots of soldiers but traveling in border regions in that part of the world is perfectly normal.

I would recommend a visit to Kashmir to anyone. All you need to do is to keep away from large centres of population and that still leaves lots of scope. It is beautiful place kept for so long behind a curtain of insecurity.

It is time to visit and catch up on these hidden jewels.

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