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Holidays in Rajasthan

Nicola — Tue, 15 May 2012 14:50:13 +0000

Holidays in Rajasthan are always fun and can be made even more interesting by including some of the beaten track locations in your trip. Most of the tourists visit the vibrant city of Jaipur, the majestic Mehrangarh Fort at Jodhpur and the romantic city of Udaipur. To save time tourists use domestic flights to connect these main cities. Little do they know that its far more interesting traveling by road to see the colourful villages, deserted temples and to stay at small characterful merchant houses or hunting lodges which is a superb experience.

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holidays in Rajasthan this 17th century village hasn’t lost its charm and offers comfortable rooms with modern bathrooms blend with the ancient way of Narlai offering a homely atmosphere. The fortress which became an enchanting hunting lodge was gifted by Maharaja of Jodhpur to his younger brother. The village is bustling with activity and bursting with color. Get breathtaking views of the countryside from the gigantic 350 feet high single rock of granite dotted with caves and temples.The property can arrange bespoke riding safaris covering the beautiful countryside. The famous Jain temples at Ranakpur are in the vicinity as is the Kumal Garh fort. While on holidays in Rajasthan I would highly recommend two nights at Narlai which you gives you the opportunity to go on a magical experience one evening where dinner is laid out by an 1100 year old step well decorated by oil lamps. The entire evening is an unmatched experience to anything you will experience ever for a very long time.

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India Safari

Nicola — Mon, 14 May 2012 17:29:58 +0000

Recently one of my friends went on a recce that included parks in Central India. We were both discussing the developments in these parks, new park rules, conservations projects. Bandhavgarh always comes to mind when we talk about an India safari.

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There have been some people in the past who have set up some superb lodges at Bandhavgarh, offering tastefully designed cottages or tents and excellent naturalists to give you that spectacular wilderness experience. Anantvan was once such project set up by Dhruv who set a fine example of excellent customer service and gorgeous lodges that were designed using local materials. If a wildlife magazine had Page 3 then Dhruv would have certainly featured in it as he is known to come up with some amazing ideas every few years.

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His most recent project was Anantvan, an india safari camp with a difference: a small farm at the edge of Bandhavgarh where they begun a reforestation program, to sustain the delicate ecological balance of our park. Anant Van allowed them to bring local communities in Bandhavgarh into the life of the wildlife reserve, since they recognized people’s participation essential to their forest’s survival and family success. The camp demonstrated that ecologically viable materials can make for a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing experience. Anant Van was a home stay of two welcoming cottages made from earthen bricks, and two tented cottages with spacious attached bathrooms. Living on the farm, you’ll find that your cottage overlooked a vegetable garden at the same time as offering an undisturbed view of the surrounding natural forest.

His most recent creation is The Farm at Bandhavgarh. My visit to this popular tiger reserve is long overdue but I am sure I will visit The Farm and get to know a bit more about the concept.

Kerala Premier Holidays

Nicola — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 16:36:42 +0000

Planning Kerala Premier holidays can be quite fun especially if you are including a stay at the Brunton’s Boatyard. The hotel has been resurrected from the remains of a Victorian shipbuilding yard giving the modern traveller a unique opportunity to dwell amidst the shadow-plays of 19th century history. Located on a quiet harbour-front deep in the heart of Fort Cochin the reception and tea lounge are sprawling, relaxed spaces and the twenty two rooms have antique furnishings and unrivalled views where fresh flowers make their way in the evening.

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Whilst on Kerala Premier holidays imagine having cocktails on the balcony where you can almost reach out and touch a passing ship. At the History Restaurant the secret ingredient is freshness. The fish on your plate was offloaded from the nets the very same morning as were the spices freshly purchased from the wholesale spice market at Jew Street. The elegant tea lounge and the Armoury Cafe are intimate spaces, just perfect for a long evening of tall stories.

India Wildlife Holiday

Nicola — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 16:45:34 +0000

I have just had a client who has returned after having a super India wildlife holiday at Tadoba National Park. They had been to India on several occasions to see the numerous cultural sights but they hadn’t seen the royal Bengal tiger.

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That was indeed the first thing on their wish list on this trip. I had been to Tadoba a few times on an India wildlife holiday and I always felt that though it probably wasn’t one of the most scenic to start with, it did offer some spectacular tiger viewing opportunities. Tadoba is just an hour and a half away from Nagpur which is well connected from Delhi and Mumbai. The park has only one lodge called Tiger Trails which happens to be the best option at present but on my recent visit I was glad to know that a very good tented option was about to open its doors to the discerning traveler by early next year. It is going to be managed by people who have spent decades running superb lodges in the parks of Central India. Indeed Indian Explorations will be one of the few who get to visit the new lodge and we will certainly keep our clients informed.

Luxury India

Nicola — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 21:33:40 +0000

A lot has been said about the Samode’s and Devi’s of Rajasthan while planning luxury india holidays but not many are aware of the colourful Tree of Life Resort and Spa located 45 minutes away from Jaipur in a small idyllic village of Kukas. Each villa has a large domed bedroom with intricate glasswork that look onto a private pool or gardens designed with comfort and serenity in mind. At The Tree of Life, the chefs offer mouthwatering dishes that highlight the state’s culinary traditions but if it is international cuisine you’re after, you need not worry as they can offer virtually any type of cuisine, again based on what you crave that day.

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While on this gorgeous luxury indiaholiday, if you are celebrating your birthday or anniversary, a romantic dinner for just the two of you can be arranged with chilled champagne, a live grill, and evocative classical music from the deserts of Rajasthan, complete with a candlelit table and a canopy of stars, all in the privacy of the garden in your own luxury villa.

Seeing the sights with an expert guide is always on top of the list when it comes to luxury india holidays. Apart from visiting the Amber Fort which isn’t not very far from the resort, several interesting activities can be arranged for you like visiting the local villages on a 1965 Willy’s jeep or joining the students at the nearby Kukas school supported by the resort where you can teach them a subject that is of interest to you. Not to mention a day trip to Jaipur can be arranged with a private guide who will arrange visits to the City Palace, Observatory and the Palace of Winds to name a few. On returning from their signature excursions enjoy their large bell shaped pool that was an inspiration from the ancient ‘step-wells’ of Rajasthan or relax on their open-air sit out that offers a bird’s eye view of the entire valley which is an ideal place to enjoy a drink before dinner. Cushioned seating and low tables offer a charming spot to enjoy live music performances or cuddle up by the bonfire in winter.

Darjeeling Fishing

Nicola — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 19:57:34 +0000

If you are visiting Darjeeling, fishing can also be one of the activities on offer at the Glenburn Tea Estate. The estate with hundreds of acres of rolling tea gardens perched on a hill slope with two river streams passing through it offers all inclusive and upscale home stay for tourists in plush bungalows amidst sprawling gardens with magnificent views of the valleys and mountain range including the mystic Kanchenjunga. Originally established and run by a Scottish tea company in 1859 during the British colonial days, it was taken over by the Kolkata based Prakash family.

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They have been running this 1,600 acre estate through four generations and for over a century. The original planter’s bungalow which is known as the Burra Bungalow has been completely restored in 2002 to its original structure retaining much of the colonial charm while adding the level of luxury required for a comfortable stay in today’s time. It has four large suits, a large veranda, a living room with a library and fireplace, and a large dining room. The dining room is where sit down candle lit dinner is served. Apart from tea factory visits, hikes through villages, tea gardens, forests and crossing over the suspension foot bridge on the river to Sikkim, at Darjeeling fishing on river Rungeet can be very enjoyable. The best fishing season is between October and March. Catches include Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Golden Mahseer, Snow Trout, Carp etc.

Holidays in South India

Nicola — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 14:10:28 +0000

Holidays in South India are always memorable especially if you spend few days on an authentic plantation like Tranquil, a 400-acre coffee and vanilla estate. Three thousand feet up in the Western Ghats, this smart guest house sits hidden among the coffee bushes and unspoilt rainforest of the Kuppamudi Coffee Estate. The 70 year old plantation bungalow has been beautifully restored and their Deluxe rooms adjoin the patio and look down over the swimming pool from a private verandah. Most of the rooms are large, airy and have wooden floors. There’s a sparkling pool, superb gardens with hammocks and swing chairs and well-signed walks through the coffee bushes and up to mountain view points.

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If you want a taste of the planter’s life, you can’t do better than staying as personal guests of plantation director Victor Dey and his wife Jini. The magnificent city of Mysore with its spectacular city palace which always gets a mention while planning holidays in South India is just couple of hours away from the plantation. From the minute you arrive in the lush gardens, ablaze with scarlet hibiscus, birds of paradise, you know you are in good hands. Greeted by the Deys and their three dogs, you immediately feel like old friends.

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Walk to the Eddakal Caves famous for their ancient rock etchings or trek up to the Chembra Peak, the highest peak in Wayanad or visit Sultan Battery, a former stronghold of Tippu Sultan, which is a short drive from Tranquil. Stroll through the town and enjoy the market.

Ceylon Tea Trails

Nicola — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 21:24:01 +0000

At Ceylon Tea Trails there are four plantation bungalows that were once residences of British tea estate managers who established a lofty standard for the estate’s high tea tradition. On my visit to the island I stayed at The Norwood Bungalow that commands a fine view of the eastern end of the Bogawantalawa valley and rests in the shelter of one of the finest bamboo stands to be found anywhere. The suites are oversized with imposing colonial style furniture, some with four-poster beds and very elegant bathrooms. A spacious lounge and well-stocked library lead out to a croquet lawn, a large swimming pool and sun deck. It is here where planters of the past invited friends to enjoy the pristine air and glorious outlook. You too can wander the gardens unchanged since yesteryear, soaking up the atmosphere of a time gone by.

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At Ceylon Tea Trails you can spend hours just sitting on the preened lawn surrounded by swaying tea plants and delicate tropical flowers but I would highly recommend going on one of their trails. They offer some spectacular walks from their bungalows. There is a trail that leads from Norwood directing west that winds its way up and around the Southside of the valley. The views to the north across the lake are absolutely stunning and beyond a certain point on a clear day you will be rewarded with view of Adams Peak to the right. This trail eventually leads all the way to Castlereagh. There is also a great circuit walk which starts directly above Norwood and takes you over to the Maskeliya face of the valley, then to a high point and back down to the Bungalow.

Kerala Walking

Nicola — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 16:07:29 +0000

Kerala is more popular the world over for its beautiful beaches, serene backwaters and wilderness of the wildlife. But there is more to Kerala than this. Far off in the heights of the Western Ghats, Kerala has number of hill stations less ventured and explored. The hill stations of Kerala are the most perfect choice if you like walking.

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A Kerala walking holiday is a wonderful way to explore the regions natural beauty. Stay at Tharavad, the ancestral home to the Kandath family, complete with its original carved teak pillars and set amongst rice paddies. The ranges here consist of a chain of ridges cut off from one another by valleys containing teak of extraordinary height and girth. Such Kerala walking holidays offer breathtaking views of the misty mountains and enchanting valleys interspersed with sprawling tea, coffee, cardamom and orange plantations. It’s an exhilarating experience and if you are after a vantage view of the spectacle, one must visit Seethakundu, where a 100m high waterfall provides an added attraction. It offers a fantastic view of entire Palakkad area.

Luxury Trains of India

Nicola — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 17:03:00 +0000

Exploring a vast country like India is a real challenge for travelers and one comes across inevitable challenges like the communication barrier, the itinerary selection, the dining options and the mode of transportation. So what’s the solution to this perennial problem of travelling in India? Luxury trains of India!

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Travel back to an age where life moved at a slower pace. The royal luxury trains of India, gracious steam locomotives with each of these luxury trains boasting just 4 cabins with en-suite baths and two attendants in each carriage; restaurant and bar cars, spas, beauty salons and libraries, these luxury trains of India offer some of the most innovative, imaginative, and luxurious journeys possible. These trains whisk you through the night to exotic destinations like Rajasthan into a world of forts and palaces, historic monuments, and spectacular views. Capturing the romance and excitement of train travel at its luxurious best, these luxury trains of India, with their ambience of royalty and their heritage décor and cuisine, are a memorable way to experience the magic of Incredible India.

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