As disorientating experiences go, waking up in mid-afternoon with heavy jetlag in a chilly air conditioned room, and then walking outside into the thickly humid, oven-baking atmosphere of India, full of bustle, drama, colour... well, that sure takes some beating.

The news is full of tales of ice and snow; a big freeze about to sink Britain into winter misery, trains plunging into chaos and roads becoming impassable. So what better time to pack our bags and escape to the tropics? Sorry London, we love you but we're outta here…