Rajasthan usually is one of the most visited states while on luxury holidays in India. I had an unforgettable experience at Udaipur. I had stayed in the city on my previous visits and hence I decided to spend a few days at Devigarh, a beautiful fort converted into a luxury hotel.  Set in the sleepy village of Delwara, a short 45 minute drive from the Udaipur airport, its majestic and imposing. The palace fortress has been transformed into a beautiful hotel with airy suites.  The palace oozes with character yet has rooms that have white terrazzo floors with contemporary accents.  As most old buildings there are several levels of accommodation but don’t be disheartened if you have walking disabilities as there are suites on the ground floor that open out to beautifully landscaped gardens. If you are after the views, don’t forget to book yourself into their Aravali Suite which as the name suggests offers stunning views of the Aravali Hills.

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Luxury holidays in India are incomplete without a fine dining experience and there couldn’t be a better place than Devi Garh. Questions like “where would you care to dine?” aren’t uncommon at the palace and for the ones that are looking for healthy eating a low calorie Spa menu is also available.  The main restaurant offers magnificent view of the Aravali along with innovative Asian and continental cuisine served in traditional Indian metal bowls. Fruits and vegetables are organically grown and picked fresh from orchards.  If you are celebrating your birthday or anniversary a romantic candle lit dinner can be set up in the private meditation room once used by the princess overlooking the courtyard. If you want something even more special the Sheesh Mahal is the most magical venue. Traces of History in the form of faded frescoes, mirror work and broken Chinese ceramic decoration lend charm to it. Traditional low Indian seating and rows of candles transform this into a perfect venue for a very special occasion.

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Apart from enjoying the comforts offered by the palace, there are a bunch of short exploratory trips that one can make from Devigarh. The intricate stone carvings at Nagda or the sandstone and marble temples of Eklingji are just 5-6 kms away. I thoroughly enjoyed Devigarh as it was away from the hustle and bustle yet was a conveniently located just 40 minutes from the romantic city of Udaipur famous for its City Palace, lakes and gardens.

Located in South Eastern Rajasthan, Ranthambore is one of the most romantic reserves famous for its tigers. One of the best locations in India to see the majestic predators in their natural habitat, it likes just 130 kms from the pink city of Jaipur and therefore fits in very well with a holiday to North India.   The park was once the hunting grounds of the Maharaja of Jaipur and is extremely picturesque with cenotaphs and old fortifications dotted around. The landscape is of rugged terrain and valleys containing lakes and rivers.  Travelers on a Bengal tiger safari  find it very easy to include a stay at one of the rustic lodges at Ranthambore due to its proximity to Agra and Jaipur.   Certainly, a visit to Ranthambore National Park is a treat for every nature lover.  It’s worth spending time watching tigers roaming around, the outstanding scenery and the species of chirpy birds .The forest is the typically dry deciduous type, with Dhok, being the most obvious tree found throughout the region.

The best time to visit the park is March and April.  As it’s easily accessible the park can get crowded and therefore the authorities offer two options. You can either go in a canter or opt for a jeep safari. While on a Bengal tiger safari one can also visit Malik Talao, the Ranthambore Fort, Rajbagh Talao, and Padam Talao that are some of the prominent landmarks in Ranthambore. Ranthambore is also rich in bird life with around 300 species of birds; including vultures, serpent eagles, cormorant, painted spur fowl, sarus crane, bronzed winged jacana, sandpiper, kingfisher, nightjar, and many other migrants who come from the north of Himalayas.

Wildlife tourism in India has become extremely popular mainly in the state of Madhya Pradesh.  Several lodges have sprung up in the last few years but few have been set up by Taj hotels in collaboration with leading eco-tourism company &BEYOND based on their approach to conservation, which cares for the land, people and wildlife.

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Mahua Kothi in Bandhavgarh National Park is the first of their four Taj resort tiger safaris in India. The lodge comprises of beautifully decorated accommodations using local materials built in Central-Indian style, with minimal interference in the natural habitat, so there is an immediate sense of place.  The main lounge has a generous verandah and a rooftop for outdoor meals and subtle colours have been used to gel with the forest beyond.

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Several minor details have been taken into consideration to offer an unforgettable experience. Unlike parks in other parts of India, the safaris vehicles at Bandhavgarh are provided by the lodges themselves. To offer unrestricted view to each guest, the vehicles have been custom designed and are very spacious.  At Taj resort tiger safaris in India, guests usually get two safaris each day, the morning one beginning at 6:30 and the afternoon drive starting at 3 pm. Though Bandhavgarh gets a lot of bad publicity due to the number of tourists visiting the park, it still offers superb wildlife viewing chances. Though many won’t agree, the park authorities have tried their best to cater to the ever increasing tourist traffic by introducing a route system which means you are given a specific route when you enter the park and it’s the trackers responsibility that such rules are obeyed.

I was fortunate to experience the Taj resort tiger safaris in India hospitality and I must confess that it was a fantastic experience. Right from the time I checked in to assigning a naturalist for my safaris to resort facilities, it was just super.  Their naturalists have to complete a 6 months training program by CC Africa and only the few who that show real passion and enthusiasm are finally selected to work as naturalists in these exclusive lodges. They not only talk about the wildlife spotted during your safari but share some hidden secrets that make it a whole new experience. They are all rounders! One morning we followed the call of the dominant male tiger as he padded through the undergrowth. He was well camouflaged due to his orange and black markings in the stripes made by the thin trunks of bamboo and the spaces between them. I saw four tigers in all, lots of spotted deer, sambar and plenty of deer. Failing that, there is always the food. Mahua Kothi’s kitchen serves some of the most fresh, nourishing and delicious food.  The ingredients are grown on site, and there are so many places to enjoy them too.  It could on the rooftop, in the garden, beneath the Mahua tree, up at the temple or in your private courtyard.

Travellers usually have a lot on their plate when they visit India and it can be quite hectic. Mahua Kothi can indulge you in-room Ayurvedic massages to cooling off in their swimming pool.  The elegant accommodation, stunning safaris and authentic cuisine make for an unforgettable experience while at a Taj resort tiger safaris in India.

After exploring Fort Cochin, the hills of Munnar and the spice plantations of Thekkady, luxury Kerala holidays are incomplete without a stay along the blue-green backwaters of Kerala.

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One that I would always recommend to my guests on luxury Kerala holidays is the Kumarakom Lake Resort.  As you as you enter the resort a well dressed staff greets you with a smile and escorts you to your private villa. The villas are dotted around carefully tended network of canals lined with palm trees. The property has around 50 villas and does give you a ‘resortie’ feel but the attention to detail in second to none and the management make sure that you have a memorable time. For guests who like to be sociable than be in a very quiet place, I think is by far the best property by the backwaters.

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Spread among 10 acres of palm-lined canals the red-tiled cottages have been assembled using all local materials or from reclaimed old homes.  At KLR as its popularly known, you are spoilt for choice. You can choose between a standard Heritage Villa, which overlooks the lotus canals, or a larger Heritage Lake View Villa or Presidential Suite, with views of the lake. All have their own pools, an area of lawn and a private courtyard. The resort also boasts excellent ethnic Kerala dishes and a traditional tea shop, perfect to stop by after a day’s exploration of the backwaters.  Guests also love the Ayurveda Spa where they can experience a total mind and body overhaul with body treatments, yoga and meditation. The large pool at the Resort presents the illusion of being a part of the shimmering lake. In the freshness of the mornings or the cool evenings, the poolside is surely a welcoming sight while on luxury Kerala holidays. Apart from the usual activities that you would expect at a backwater resort, KLR also offers experiences like learning pottery using traditional techniques and weaving. You can be rest assured to enjoy every minute  at KLR.

I recently visit Madhya Pradesh, the tiger state of India and spent few days at the beautiful Kanha National Park on an India tiger safari. I chose to stay near the Kisli Gate as it offers easy access to both Kisli Zone and the newly opened Sarhi Zone. I stayed at a small rustic lodge called Flame of the Forest set up by Karan & Isa. With just four cottages, they are able to make sure that all their guests get personal attention and a superb wildlife experience.

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Though Kisli Zone and the Kanha meadows are famous for its wildlife, I decided to explore the newly opened Sarhi Zone. Sarhi being a fairly new area of the park isn’t frequently visited by tourists which certainly worked in my favour while on my India tiger safari. Having been to Kisli & Mukki Zone’s, I would certainly say that its one of the most beautiful areas of the park with a mix of bamboo and dry deciduous vegetation. The slight hilly terrain adds to the enjoyment while on a safari. Though it was cold during in the early hours of the morning, the days were quite warm and therefore from a distance you could see a beautiful carpet of dried leaves laid down to welcome everyone. It’s a photographers dream.

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During my recent India tiger safari I saw plenty of birdlife, sambhar, cheetal and a barking deer. Kanha is one of the only reserves where one can see the barasingha’s or the twelve horned antelopes. They are seen in packs usually at mid morning. We also were fortunate to see couple of Nilgai’s (blue bull).  The icing on the cake was when we saw the Bengal tiger.  We were just passing a nala (a stream) when our attentive tracker Nainsingh noticed some movement. All our eyes and ears zeroed on to the place where he was pointing to and there he was.  Seeing our jeep halt, he stood up trying to gauge the situation. Karan who is well experienced with such situations, suggested we should leave sufficient space for him to feel comfortable to continue on his trail. As soon as we moved the jeep, he started walking towards us through the dense vegetation. We couldn’t believe it! It was the best tiger sighting ever. He walked towards our jeep and his body language was constantly implying that he was the king of the jungle.  After making sure of what our intentions were, he turned his back and crossed the road and before we knew he was well camouflaged in the dense vegetation of Sarhi. Wow what a superb end to my India tiger safari!