Rajasthan is probably the most popular destination while planning an India luxury holiday. The topography of the Rajasthan region consists of sandy plains interspersed with craggy hills, a stark contrast to Amanbagh’s setting which is an oasis of verdant greenery. Deriving its name from aman, meaning ‘peace’ in Sanskrit and bagh, meaning ‘garden’ in Hindi, Amanbagh lies within a walled compound once used by the Maharajah of Alwar to site his mobile hunting camps in search of the elusive tigers known to roam the nearby hills. Long since abandoned, the trees and vegetation continued to thrive due to a reliable source of underground water. The resort is very much a modern day ‘Mughal Palace’, conceived in the present, but paying homage to the architecture and design of India’s golden age.

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In the countryside surrounding Amanbagh there lies evidence of a lost empire whose historical ambition still echoes in the remains of grand architectural ruins. Excursions on a cultural trail within a 30km radius of Amanbagh include visits to the nearby Ajabgarh Fort and Temple which were built in 1635 and are connected by an underground passageway. Ajabgarh is named for its founder Ajab Singh Rajawat, the grandson of Madho Singh, founding ruler of Bhangarh. Moghul Emperor Akbar the Great is said to have stayed in Ajabgarh during the inauguration of Somsagar, a reservoir lake in the hills behind Ajabgarh.

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Shah Jahan, famed creator of the Taj Mahal, was entertained here at a chhatri erected specially for him by Ajab Singh when the former was passing through this valley to join his son, Aurangzeb, on a campaign against the Maharajah of Orchha. Ajab Singh’s grand-aunt, Jodha Bai of Jaipur was married to Akbar, the grandfather of Shah Jahan.

Whilst on an India luxury holiday do visit Ajabgarh’s finest present day attractions – the fort and the old temple, dedicated to Shri Raghunathji. Built in 1635 AD, it features a 24-pillared open courtyard and a marble façade. This temple once housed a statue a Lord Rama and the Goddess Sita, bejeweled with precious stones. It was unfortunately stolen. The temple and Ajabgarh fort are connected by an underground passage originally designed for use by the royal ladies so they could enter the temple in complete privacy.

Excursions to Ajabgarh from Amanbagh can be organised during the day on foot, by camel and horseback, or in the resort’s open jeeps. During the warmer months you can travel via camel or open jeep to a candle-lit dinner in a chhatri ruin near Ajabgarh. This overlooks the lake and mountains with the fort perched above. What a fantastic way of ending a dream India luxury holiday!!!

Situated at 8,250 feet in the magnificent Himalayas, Wildflower Hall is a fairytale luxury resort set in 22 acres of virgin woods of pine and cedar. The former residence of Lord Kitchener, rebuilt to a new magnificence, Wildflower Hall recreates the grand style of the colonial era. It is a picturesque 45-minute drive over a 13 km distance through forested hills from Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh. The resort is a serene and relaxed getaway offering an unforgettable experience while on a luxury India honeymoon on a grand scale. From its vantage point on top of a knoll, the hotel looks out onto a magnificent vista of rugged mountains, snow-clad peaks, verdant meadows and cedar forests.  Wood panelling and original artwork create an aura of old world charm. Teak wood floors, hand knotted rugs and rich furnishings complemented by spectacular views make the rooms very special retreats. 

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If you saw the  film, The Darjeeling Ltd. and thought you might like to recreate the adventure, then plan a trip to Glenburn! It was whilst staying on this, the most magical of tea estates, that Anderson conceived the idea for the film. Quite frankly, he could hardly have been anything but inspired.

Set an hour or so from Darjeeling town, the Glenburn Tea Estate is a superb destination for luxury adventure holidays to India as it clings to the foothills of the Himalayas, bordering the kingdom of Sikkim. Kanchenjunga, the world’s 3rd highest mountain, dominates the horizon and two rivers, the Rangeet and the Rung Dung, entwine themselves as they run through valleys. Overlooking it all is the Burra Bungalow, Glenburn’s boutique hotel and former home of the estate manager. The surroundings are spectacular and as you are away from the town, you will never be crowded by other people. The Burra Bungalow has only four rooms and therefore it simply doesn’t feel like a hotel. You are a guest and the attention to details of the staff is second to none. Freshly prepared picnics, afternoon tea and fresh juice appear from nowhere across the estate whether you are trekking the 2 hours down to the river or merely mooching in the garden. The food, ingredients for which are grown organically on the estate wherever possible. The homemade breads and chocolate brownies slip down a treat.

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The Estate also has a lodge and campsite that offers accommodation for two families, with its two spacious rooms each with an attached bathroom. Both rooms offer spectacular views of the forest, river and Sikkim on the opposite bank. A large verandah is a lovely place to sit and relax on at any time of the day. Kerosene lanterns are used to light up the Lodge at night and dinner is served according to each guest’s preference – either as a candle-lit meal down by the river, or on the Lodge verandah. Barbeques can also be organized, and a bonfire is always a popular option. Awake the next morning with a cup of tea or coffee served to you in bed, to watch the sunrise, and then wander along the river to catch a glimpse of some of the birds that inhabit the area. Cormorants, wild geese and hornbills are just a few of the birds you are likely to see. Return to the campsite for a hot breakfast and perhaps another refreshing dip in the river, before setting off on the day’s activities. It’s a great place if you are on a luxury adventure holiday  to India as you can do hiking, rafting and fishing. This is definitely a popular excursion, and rafting trips of varying difficulty can be organized to suit everyone. When the water level is high enough, rafting trips start at The Glenburn Campsite, from the River Rungeet, and join up with the River Teesta further downstream.  The trip can also be combined with a hike across the Manjitar Suspension Bridge, a short drive to Malli and then a raft trip down the River Teesta. You can also start the rafting from the picturesque Triveni which you would have looked down upon from the Viewpoint picnic spot on your way here from the airport. This is about an hour’s drive from Glenburn. The rapids along both the rivers are graded between II and IV, and certain sections are only open to swimmers. We use well-trained guides at all times and safety is of the utmost importance to us.

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Hikes can be arranged and adjusted to suit each guest. All the walking is downhill. The duration of the walk can range from 1.5 hours to 4 hours, and the level of difficulty can range from moderate to tough, depending on the route one takes. The forests contain a rich diversity of birds, butterflies, flora and plant life, as well as animals typical to this habitat. Refreshments will be provided along the way, and a jeep is never far away, should you feel tired and wish to drive down the rest of the way. Guests would really love these scenic walks while on a luxury adventure holiday to India as they are professionally arranged using friendly staff who have excellent local knowledge.

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If you enjoy fishing, a fantastic experience on the river Rangeet can be arranged by Glenburn. The fishing season at Glenburn starts in early October and runs through until about March. A typical catch can range from a Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Golden Mahseer, Snow Trout, Goonch or a Carp.  What a great luxury adventure holiday to India indeed !

Journey by houseboat between coconut forests and lotus-filled lagoons on Kerala’s peaceful rivers and canals should be on the top of your list whilst on a luxury Kerala holiday.

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A  recent addition to taking in your wider surroundings is MV Apsara that offer an exotic experience that couples the comfort of a boutique hotel stay with luxurious cruising. Witness Kerala’s rich heritage in style. Providing unparalled standard perfect for a luxury Kerala holiday, the cruiser is built on two levels. The Apsara consists of eight rooms, a galley, dining area, a sundeck and a picturesque forward seating area.  It offers contemporary and modern amenities offering inspiring design, innovative dining and sensuous entertainment.  The tented spa offers Ayurvedic and international treatments. The dining area and salon, situated on level 1, with their grand décor create an ambience of luxury. The corner sofas with cushions and tables on level 2 provide ample space for guests to sit back and enjoy the panoramic view of the backwaters. The impeccable services extended to the guests combined with the enhanced display of sophistication makes your luxury Kerala voyage memorable.

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The itinerary is superb and extremely interesting. On day one, the Apsara sets sail and heads to the north of Vembanad Lake, sailing through Taneermukkam, famous for the salt water barrier dam and its ancient temple. The next day you set sail through Punnamada Lake which hosts the Annual Nehru Trophy Boat Race. Past the finishing point, you dock at Kanjipadam village with its rice fields, little houses and constant gaggle of geese and ducks. And there’s the 100 year old temple of Shree Bhagavathy Kshetram which hosts a 5 day annual cultural Ulsavam (festival).  During this luxury Kerala holiday you will be transfered to rice boats and weave your way through the picturesque, narrow canals in Chambakulam, known for its annual snake boat races and the oldest market. You will also get a chance to walk through the paths and lanes of this craft and coir village and also visit the St. Mary Florence Church built in 1870.  The cruiser then proceedes to the Pamba River, also known as Dakshina Ganga – the Ganges of the South. A traditional Kerala astrologer on board reveals your planets and the influence on your life. Allow him to chart your past and your future based on the traditional science; or just watch the play of the sky, the water, the birds as you sail back. There are, of course, the relaxing on-board activities arranged just for you.  Day three and four includes sailing via Punnamada jetty and Chithira Kayal to arrive at the uninhabited Padiramnal Island, home to over 90 local species and 50 migratory boards. You will return to the Vembanad Lake where your nostalgic luxury Kerala journey comes to and end.

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Enjoy your luxury Kerala holiday in a perfect eco-setting – a pleasant escape to the lap of nature.

Rajasthan holidays

India, renowned for its profound cultures, vibrant arts, diverse cuisines and booming economy, can also be a place of sensory overload. It was with this in mind that Philippe developed Anopura: a place to experience and take in rural India – the country’s real heart and soul – gently, at your own pace, and as if from your own home.

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Situated approximately an hour’s drive from the Rajasthani capital of Jaipur, and nestled in the ancient Aravali mountains at the head of the beautiful Ramgarh Valley thus making it  a perfect retreat while on Rajasthan holidays. With just two luxurious bedroom suites, a luxury tent, excellent dining, impeccable staff and a location to die for, Anopura certainly warrants its title, the smallest luxury hotel in the world.  Built as a traditional Rajasthani country home with a stunning step-well inspired plunge pool, Anopura artfully brings together the ‘necessities’ of the most demanding Western traveler within a landscape and agricultural environment virtually unchanged in a millennia.

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Anopura was designed as a country house, surrounded by farmlands. It has a thatched roof so as to blend into the local countryside and carries a collection of local artworks. From the moment you arrive, the superbly trained staff welcomes you with chilled towels and fresh seasonal fruit juice, where you realize that you are truly in the lap of luxury. As you explore your new surroundings, you can move through the garden, rich with the scent of frangipani and other perfumed plants, arriving through a book-laden anteroom into Anopura’s shaded central courtyard, off which are the bedrooms, the dining room and a small study with satellite television and an Internet connected workstation.

In front of the house lies a stone clad plunge pool surrounded by charpoys, the traditional Indian day-bed, where you can lie back and take in the majestic views of the hills of the Aravali. On your Rajasthan holidays you may also choose to explore your new domain on foot, mountain bike, or more leisurely, by camel cart or jeep. To one side of the pool is a large pavilion for relaxing, reading, dining or simply taking aperitifs during sunset. Chotu, Anopura’s resident chef, trained in some of the finest restaurants of Rajasthan. Obviously a master of the delicious local Rajasthani dishes, he has also taken to Western and International cuisines with alacrity and has an extensive repertoire to suit any palette.

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Due to its proximity to Jaipur, one can use it as a base to see the City Palace, the Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, Amber Fort, the Jaigarh Fort.  The renowned Sariska Tiger Reserve is just an hour’s drive as is Dera Amer where elephant safaris can be arranged. If you wish to take the road less travelled during your Rajasthan holidays, then consider travelling from Anopura to Ramathra Fort that lies south of the Golden Triangle offering stunning views of the countryside from its ramparts. At such places, absent is a bazaar with commercial traffic or food stalls. After the sun goes down, Bhajan-singing and community activities are more common than radio or television.  You can travel further south to stay at Bhainsrorgarh which is an ideal place from where one can visit the less explored town of Bundi famous for its beautiful palace and its frescos.  Udaipur famous for its floating palace and gorgeous city palace is just a 4 hour drive from Bhainsrorgarh and a superb way to end your Rajasthan holidays.

The Ceylon Tea Trails may well be the most entrancing place I have ever stayed. A collection of four colonial-style bungalows built for British tea estate managers in the days of the Raj, they enjoy spectacular views overlooking the rolling green of Sri Lanka’s hill country. I boarded the old steam train at Kandy for the delightful journey to Hatton. If you are planning a family holiday to Sri Lanka, this will be a thrilling ride through the undulating hills. At Hatton I was greeted by my cheerful driver from where it was a short drive to Castlereagh, the stunning residence overlooking the reservoir.

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From the Tea Trails I travelled down to the Yala National Park where I camped inside the pristine forest. The camp set up by Mahoora Yala Safaris was beautifully. Each of us had a tent with a double bed and en suite facilities. Food was delicious and was arranged either by the river offering plenty of bird watching opportunities or a candle lit dinner under a humungous banyan tree. Spending the night in the heart of Yala gives you the opportunity to gaze at the millions of stars glittering, listen to the occasional sound of elephants in river close by and the sounds of the nocturnal creatures around. Yala National Park is mostly open parkland, making the wildlife easier to see, particularly in the December-March dry season. The landscape is varied, with rock outcrops, scrub jungle, lagoons, lakes, rivers and even beaches, and it has a rainy season from April to June. Yala West is one of the few places in Sri Lanka where it is relatively easy to see a leopard, either strolling beside the track or, with luck, draped elegantly in a tree. There are estimated to be around 35 leopards and 400 wild elephants, as well as wild buffalo, musk deer, mongoose, pangolins, sloth bears, macaques, jackals and numerous species of bird. I would highly recommend it to people planning a family holiday to Sri Lanka.

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After a bit of adventure at Yala I drove along the southern coastline to arrive at my lovely beach villa.  There are several dotted around the coast between Tangalle and Bentota. My favourite was Apa Villa and for someone keen to have a luxury villa The Reef is a fantastic option. Apa Villa is an elegant, discreet retreat that house seven sumptuous suites, where the mood is stylish and leisurely as you ease into swimwear or a sarong to enjoy the seaside garden. If you have an extended stay at Apa Villa, do visit Mirrisa from where whale watching cruises can be arranged during November – April. Alternatively you can visit Illuketia, a lovely old plantation house, where you can lunch on the verandah watching monkeys swing in the jungle in front of you, and follow your meal with a swim in a pool surrounded by a spice garden. The Reef is a spectacular villa, set in three acres of exotic tropical gardens with palm fringed pavilions and reflection pools that create the romance and grandeur of Sri Lanka. They offer only seven unique and exclusive palatial suites deisgned on Indo – Colonial lines The furniture is exquisite and the entire place is tastefully decorated.  The property boasts of a vast sandy beachfront and huge lily ponds and a fabulous spa. It is intimate, beautiful and a great way to end your family holiday to Sri Lanka.

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The tropical sun-drenched island of Sri Lanka is truly a breathtaking and exotic destination. It’s  an extraordinary destination which offers newlyweds an array of incredible experiences. Ceylon Tea Trails is a new concept which combines boutique luxury with the plantation bungalow experience. Set amidst a working tea estate at an altitude of 5000ft, the four luxuriously appointed Tea Trails bungalows are situated at different points around the beautiful Castlereagh reservoir in the Bogowantalawa region of the hill country, thus making them a perfect place for the newlyweds planning their honeymoon in Sri Lanka .

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The bungalows have 4-5 rooms, each unique in decor and design, provide lavish comfort on an all-inclusive basis. Each bungalow is different, and you can choose to stay at one bungalow or mix your time amongst a couple of the properties. ‘Tientsin’ has six suites, wood panelled rooms and large fireplaces is in high British colonial style and eclectic ‘Castlereagh’ has five suite rooms on a lakeside setting, croquet lawn & pool. ‘Norwood’s’ five suites are reminiscent of a 60’s tropical bungalow while ‘Summerville’ has four suites and offers contemporary elegance and stunning views of the lake.  The privacy and solitude at Tea Trails is perfectly suited for a blissful honeymoon. Long walks through beautiful tea country, evening sipping wine in front of a log fire and being pampered by staff, in room spa treatments and dinning underneath the stars will make for a memorable honeymoon in Sri Lanka.

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You set your own pace here; whether you wish to while away the hours reading in the grounds, lazing by the pool, pampering yourself in the tea spa or trying one of the many activities on offer. Ceylon Tea Trails have teamed-up with a local adventure operator to offer some of the most varied activities in the region. Excursions from guided walks and mountain bike rides to kayaking and rafting are all available on request. The walking opportunities here are superb and all four bungalows are linked by a trail. The pristine trails through immaculate tea gardens surrounded by beautiful valleys and hills are an unparalleled experience if you are on your honeymoon in Sri Lanka.

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Romantic candle lit dinners on the verandahs or in your private gardens at Ceylon Tea Trails is something to look forward to while you are on your honeymoon in Sri Lanka. Food and drink is included in the price and the standard very high. Although there is a menu, meals can be tailored to suit guests tastes. The wine is new world and excellent quality. If you are out all day a wonderful picnic hamper is packed and sent with you, so you can enjoy your lunch wherever you are.

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You can also enjoy the ‘Tea Experience’ – where you follow the production process from plucking your own tea leaves right through to brewing them for your very own ‘cuppa’. However, while the theme is tea, the emphasis is very definitely on luxury. Ceylon Tea Trails is a hotel by which standards many others are judged, with a proven record of delivering spectacular experiences time and time again. A truly superb destination for a honeymoon in Sri Lanka.

Everyone wants to get away from their hectic life to a place where they can relax and see places they have heard before. I recently came across one such location off the beaten track. Nandadevi is an exclusive heritage estate – an invitation for people with a love of the Himalayas and nature. Guests may step back in time and enjoy their Himalayan Holidays in simplicity coupled by style and sophistication.

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Between 1805 and 1947, the British ruled Kumaon and established their administrative capital in Almora. With a keen eye for the best spots and a great sense of style and good taste, the British discovered Binsar, with its unparalleled natural beauty and sweeping views. Set at 7500 ft in the heart of Binsar Sanctuary, the NandaDevi property was the residence of a succession of District Magistrates from 1856 to 1945, after which it passed into the hands of the Shah family of Almora who owned a store providing groceries and wines to the British. Against a 700 rupee wine bill, Mr Van Renen handed over the property to Shyam Lal Shah who in turn sold it to Vivek Datta, a philosopher turned gentleman farmer from an aristocratic Delhi family, and his Belgian musicologist wife Marie in 1956, exactly a hundred years after it was built. It provides a unique Himalayan holidays experience, where the awe inspiring peaks in an unbroken chain of 500 kms can be contemplated up close. The wild beauty of virgin Himalayan oak and rhododendron forests surrounding the estate urge you to connect with nature, explore its secrets, and return to time and again.

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Nandadevi Estate is located in the core area of Binsar Sanctuary, which is under the management of Corbett National Park. There are only 5 properties in the higher reaches of Binsar Sanctuary, and they are all separated by kilometres of thick forest. The property, 20 acres of land, comprises of terraced fields and a 155 years old heritage bungalow – originally built by a British administrator in 1854. What makes the Nandadevi Estate one of the most beautiful places in the world, is not only its views but the harmonious way in which the property is naturally set with its own five hills, each with exquisite views, and its terraced fields which once were a thriving farm and apple orchard, and are gradually being restored to their original state a few acres at a time. All efforts have been made so that guests have the unique experience of stepping back in time and enjoying the simplicity coupled by the sophistication. The entire estate is at the disposal of the guests along with the estate staff making it a relaxing Himalayan holiday.

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The Estate has two Bungalows – The Goralkot Bungalow, built in the mid nineteenth century, is steeped in history and atmosphere and has been restored in a typical colonial style with wide verandahs, bay windows, and high ceilinged rooms with plenty of light and space. The whole structure is made of stone and wood. The rooms with four poster beds and their arched wooden ceiling and bay windows are furnished with priceless antiques from the Raj.  The Writer’s cottage was originally a barn located in the middle of the apple orchards and farm and was converted into a cottage in the mid 1980’s. An Italian writer called Tiziano Terzani, an icon in Europe as much for his writing as for his philosophy, stayed in the cottage for five years and wrote his most celebrated book there. The cottage is double storeyed and has a wraparound verandah from which views of Nandadevi, framed between two hills, views of Panchachuli and the Nepal Himalayas are visible. Done in pinewood and stone, the cottage has picture windows in every room and sunlight throughout the day.  Built around the concept of light and space, each room, including the bathrooms, have breath-taking views making it a perfect retreat for a Himalayan holiday.

They have recently revived the farm and four acres of land have been planted with vegetables and crops slowly we will bring the property back to its former days when there used to be 4000 fruit trees and substantial agriculture. The property also has a cowshed housing five milk cows, a bull, two riding horses, a few sheep, and chickens. Guests can order their meal fresh from the vegetable garden or dairy and watch the cows being milked. The farm, providing fresh dairy and poultry products and a range of local and exotic vegetables and fruit, ensures guests will enjoy Indian and Continental cuisine cooked to their taste and requirements in the bungalow kitchens.

They have a range of activities like hikes and bird watching in the Sanctuary, camping, horse riding, and mountain biking and day treks inside the Sanctuary as well as visits to nearby places of interest. However, the breath-taking surroundings and the luxuries of old world comforts and home grown, home cooked food will make it hard for guests to move out. Having said that I am sure guests who decide to go on Himalayan holidays want to explore the countryside and for those walks in Binsar Sanctuary ranging from easy strolls to day treks with picnic lunches can be arranged.  For guests who love riding, Horse riding along the old British horse trails in the Sanctuary can be organised. If you want to taste a bit of culture excursions to Almora to visit the Nanda Devi temple, the Old Bazaar and the main production unit of Panchachuli Women Weavers can be arranged.

It’s a unique concept and a one of a kind Himalayan holidays experience.