Joseph H. Conlin Travel Management

David Rosengarten is one of the world's leading authorities on food, wine and travel. His passion, knowledge, experience and sense of adventure also make him the ideal traveling guide.
 

 Chef Prasad Chirnomula is one of the foremost Indian chefs with first-hand knowledge of many of the World Class hotels and restaurants we will be visiting on the tour. He owns four award-winning restaurants in Connecticut.

Feb 01: Mumbai: Late evening Kebobs and drinks at the hotel: The Oberoi

Optional Yoga Class Every Morning from 6 AM to 7 AM

Feb 02: Mumbai:    Lunch at Trishna (Fresh seafood)
Feb 02: Mumbai:    Dinner at the Orchid roof top restaurant with
                                Bollywood theme (Music/ dancers)
Feb 03: Mumbai:    Lunch (for both Elephanta group and the Bollywood
                                group)
Feb 03: Mumbai:   High Tea with Mumbai family
Feb 03: Mumbai:   Dinner at Ling’s Pavilion: Chinese restaurant
Feb 04: Mumbai:   Snacks at SWATI SNACKS
Feb 04: Mumbai:   Lunch on board the flight
Feb 04: Goa:         Barefoot dinner on the beach
Feb 05: Goa:         Sunrise Bullock cart ride by the side of Paddy fields/
                                Toddy tapping
Feb 05: Goa:         Visit to a local cooking school/ cooking demo/ Lunch
Feb 06: Goa:         Dinner with a local Goan family
Feb 06: Goa:         Afternoon: Mandovi Boat river cruise/ Lunch
Feb 06: Goa:         Dinner on the hotel's private beach with cooking demo:
                                Sit Down Gala Bar B Que dinner
Feb 07: Goa:         Special lunch at the hotel's Pool side
Feb 07: Goa:         High Tea with a Goan Family
Feb 07: Cochin:    Dinner at the Brunton Boatyard
Feb 08: Cochin:    Lunch at the Nimmy Paul's residence with cooking demo
Feb 08: Cochin:    Kathakali dance performance and Gala Dinner with
                                cooking demo at the Kumarakom Lake Resort
Feb 09: Cochin:    Lunch at Philip Kutty's Farm House
Feb 09: Cochin:    Dinner with cooking demo at the Radisson Plaza resort Feb 10: Cochin:    Early lunch at the hotel
Feb 10: Jaipur:    Whiskey tasting and wine dinner at the Suvarna Mahal
                                restaurant, Rambagh Palace
Feb 11: Jaipur:    Lunch at the Bhim Singh's farm house
Feb 11: Jaipur:    Gala dinner at the Durbar, Samode Palace
Feb 12: Jaipur:    Afternoon: visit to the Dera Village/ witness and
                                participate in the Elephant Polo and a lavish Lunch
Feb 12: Jaipur:    Gala dinner at the City Palace
Feb 13: Jaipur:    Lunch at the Jai Mahal Palace
Feb 13: Agra:       Kebab demo and dinner at the Mughal Sheraton
Feb 14: Agra:       Lunch at the Amar Vilas Banquet hall
Feb 14: Agra:       Mock Wedding at the Amar Vilas
Feb 14: Agra:       Gala Dinner and Kathak dance performance, pool side,
                                Amar Vilas
Feb 15: Agra:       Lunch at the hotel
Feb 15: Delhi:      Dinner at the roof top restaurant at the Le Meridien
Feb 16: Delhi:      Lunch at the Chor Bizarre
Feb 16: Delhi:      Dinner at the Bukhara restaurant, Maurya Sheraton

01st FEB. 2009/SUN         ARRIVE MUMBAI    BY: INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT.

You will arrive in the evening at Mumbai's International Airport.

Following customs, immigration formalities and baggage collection, a TCI representative will meet you as you exit the Arrivals Terminal, and take you to your hotel, The Oberoi, a flagship of India's most luxurious hotel group.

Rudyard Kipling extolled Bombay--or Mumbai, as it is now known--as the "Mother of Cities." The history of Mumbai is one of incredible transformation. Once a simple fishing village where the coastal Kolis lived, Mumbai was coveted over the centuries by a series of conquerors who loved its strategic Arabian Sea position on the west coast of the subcontinent. The modern die was cast when Catherine of Aragon gave the seven islands of Mumbai to England's Charles II as part of her dowry. The British turned it into a major international trading post, built the symbolically accurate Gateway to India monument (to mark the visit of King George and his consort, Mary), and withdrew from India in 1947 right at that Gate--leaving India's premier commercial and financial center behind. Indian today still seethes with its colorful Maharahstran roots--but it is a perfect port of entry for the first-time India traveler, since it has more of a modern, Western character to it than India's other large cities. One view of the modern mega-film industry in Mumbai, and thoughts of some kind of California-India fusion are never far off.

Arrive at the hotel. Traditional welcome with garlanding and late-evening tikka feast. Introductory remarks by our hosts for the our, David Rosengarten and Prasad Chirnomula.

Overnight at hotel.

02nd FEB. 2009/MON         IN MUMBAI

Breakfasts throughout our journey are both western and Indian. You may enjoy testing the vast arrays of morning fare, but we have lunches, dinners and market visits to contend with, so you'll probably wind up pacing yourself!

10:30 AM Fish and food market tours. The colors, the aromas, the exotic ingredients.....immediately, you will know that you're not in Kansas anymore.

Lunch at Trishna Restaurant, world-renowned for its incredible array of fresh, seasonal seafood, right off the local boats. Sure it’s popular with Mumbai politicos and glitterati.....but it also draws gastronomes from all over the world. The New York Times' R.W. Apple once put it on his list of best restaurants on the planet. We will order an epic menu, including chili-rubbed shrimp, pomfret (a delectable Indian Ocean fish) baked in green masala (the spice paste includes cilantro, ginger, garlic and green chilies), and, of course, the restaurant's signature dish......king crab with garlic and ghee! Joining us at lunch will be one of Mumbai's most respected restaurant critics, who will talk to us about the local cuisine.

Afternoon: City tour. Your first stop will be the Jain Temples, built of marble and dedicated to the first Jain Tirthankara. From the temples you will be driven along Malabar Hill via the Tower of Silence, a round stone construction on which Parsis (an important Mumbai ethnic group from Iran) once placed their dead to be eaten by the vultures. We will also visit the Hanging Gardens, built over Bombay's reservoir, which offer a panoramic view of the ritzy seaside crescent of residences known as Marine Drive.

We will also take a look at an amazing Mumbai institution, completely unlike anything in the West: the Dhobi Ghats, a huge open- air laundry. It looks something like a refugee camp....but tons of Mumbai dirty clothes get cleaned here every day in a charming throwback to another era.

Welcome Dinner with Bollywood Theme at Orchid Rooftop Restaurant. This is one of the best restaurants in Mumbai--and the chef will go over the top in presenting us with a staggering array (at least two dozen dishes) of foods that are typical of this part of India. You will never have a better chance to understand the Maharashtran cuisine! The feast, of course, will include the real "Bombay Duck", only available at this time of year--a delicately spiced and expertly fried fish from the Arabian Sea.

Overnight at the hotel: The Oberoi

03rd FEB. 2009/ TUE        IN MUMBAI

OPTION OF:

1.    Elephanta Caves from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM
OR
2.    Bollywood Experience 10:00 to 1:00 PM
OR
3.    Morning at leisure.

1. Elephanta Caves

After breakfast at the hotel, proceed to the Gateway of India to board a motor launch, which will take you across the bay on a 45-minute ride to the famous Elephanta Caves, beautifully sculpted rock-cut temples inside the caves on Elephant Island. They are believed to have been created between 450 and 750 AD, when the island was known as Gharapuri, the Fortress City. The Portuguese renamed it Elephanta because of a large stone elephant near the shore. Once on the island, you reach the caves by climbing 100 steps to the top of the hill--but, if you choose, a team of 6 local men will hoist you on to their shoulders (on a very comfortable platform), and carry you up! Either way, it's an unforgettable experience.

2.  Bollywood Experience

Peek behind the scenes of the largest film industry (by far) in the world, as we visit a film studio and watch the making of a Bollywood movie.

After tours (or morning at leisure), all are invited to meet for Afternoon Tea with a Mumbai Family, who will welcome us to their home, and introduce us to Indian tea snacks, including samosas, pakoras and bajjis, and pappadums. We are also exploring the possibility of interacting with the Dabba Wallas....that is, the organization that delivers home-prepared food in "tiffins" to offices and workplaces around Mumbai. This is a remarkably efficient system that exists nowhere else in the world.

Late Afternoon: Shopping tour, visiting the major Indian Designer Fashion Boutiques as well as the bustling main shopping center of Mumbai.

Return to hotel to relax and freshen up.

8:00 PM Dinner at Ling's Pavilion Chinese Restaurant. The centuries-long tradition of Chinese cuisine in India is a world apart from the Chinese cuisine that either Americans--or Chinese!--experience in their own cultures. Today, it's even better than ever....since one of the hottest, most inventive contemporary cuisines in India is Indo-Chinese, an Indian-Chinese fusion cuisine that is the national rage. We will experience it at its best--including "Chicken 65", which is yogurt-marinated chicken that is showered with Indian spices before being stir-fried.

Overnight at hotel: The Oberoi

04th FEB. 2009/ WED        MUMBAI-GOA            BY FLIGHT

Check out of your room. You can skip the hotel breakfast if you like because we're going on a Snacks-of-Mumbai Bus Tour including the incredible Swati Snacks (a small insider's place serving Maharashtran vegetarian food at its finest!), and street snacks (like bhel puri), before transferring to the airport to board our flight for Goa.

Depart Mumbai at 1245 Hours on;
9W 471 (Jet Airways, includes Lunch)
Arrive Goa at 1345 Hours

Upon arrival at Goa airport you will be received by a TCI representative and transferred to the Taj Exotica, a spectacular five-star beach resort on the southwest coast of India, overlooking the crashing waves of the Arabian Sea. Set amidst 56 acres of lush gardens, Taj Exotica is a showcase for relaxation....with grand architecture, flower-lined patios, wide shady corridors. You may feel something of an Iberian flavor here, as well--which is a perfect expression of the historic Portuguese-Hindu fusion that sets Goa apart from all other Indian locales.

Afternoon at leisure. There's an excellent beach with white sand and warm Arabian Sea water!! Opportunities for ayurvedic massage.

After a travel day.....very informal "Barefoot Dinner on the Beach" at our hotel, facing the Arabian Sea sunset. Plenty of time to sleep before the sunrise activities of the next morning.

Overnight at hotel: TAJ EXOTICA

05th FEB. 2009/ THU            IN GOA

Very early coffee and southwestern Indian rolls and cookies at the hotel. (If you'd prefer to sleep in this morning, there will be a bus to pick you up at the hotel and meet us at the cooking school.)

A sunrise ride in bullock carts (two group members per cart!) to the fields of towering coco palms--where we will observe the daily tapping of the palms, high above our heads, by local specialists, who draw a "toddy beer" out of the trees (soon to become "toddy wine" and, later, "toddy vinegar"). These palm products are essential to Goan cuisine.

Next, we go crabbing with Prasad, followed by a visit to a local cooking school for a hands-on demo....that will become our lunch! We will focus on Goan specialties, such as Shrimp Balchao (or pickled shrimp!)

Afternoon at leisure, or City Tour of Old Goa.

Dinner with local Goan family. The lady of the house will begin with a cooking demonstration, focusing on vindaloo, Goa's most famous dish--while we sip libations and listen to Goan musicians (you've got to hear this wacky, locally authentic Hindu cowboy music to believe it!)  After, we'll enjoy a home-cooked Goan feast, including special wedding cake and other desserts.

Overnight at hotel: TAJ EXOTICA

06th FEB. 2009/FRI.            IN GOA

Morning visit to Mapusa food market and “Costa Factory”, which makes Prawn Pickles, and other Goan specialties.

Exclusive boat cruise on the picturesque Mandovi River, at the heart of Goa, with cocktails, lunch, local music, and....if you feel like it.....dancing on deck!

Afternoon at leisure.

Evening: An extraordinary gastronomic evening begins with a cooking demo on the beach by the Taj Exotica's Head Chef, including such Goan fare as the Chorizo Chili Fry. Then, his team of chefs will grill a vast array of fish and shellfish from this coast, including jumbo prawns and Goan lobsters. In addition, a wide range of Goan specialties we might have missed will be offered by waiters in this spectacular seaside, torch-lit setting.

Overnight at hotel: TAJ EXOTICA

07th FEB. 2009/ SAT    GOA-COCHIN    BY FLIGHT 

Morning at leisure (beach and other activities), with special Goan goodbye lunch poolside at the hotel.

On way to airport, Afternoon Tea with Goan family, including the Goan versions of teatime snacks.

After tea, we will transfer to the airport to board our flight for Kochi.

Depart Goa at: 1645 Hours
6E 337 (Indigo Air)
Arrive Kochi at: 1815 Hours

Upon arrival at Kochi airport, in the glorious tropical state of Kerala, you will be received by a TCI representative and proceed to the Koder House for a feast of....Indian Jewish cuisine. You read that right! Kochi has been an extraordinary crossroads over the years, and the heritage of Dutch, Chinese, British, Hindu, Muslim and Jewish cultures lingers deliciously....in food, in customs, in architectural styles.

After dinner we will proceed to the Brunton Boatyard Hotel. This magnificent Arabian Seaside hotel will give us a respite and allow us to continue our explorations of Kochi afresh in the morning, and arrive at Kumarakom Lake at a magical time...

Overnight at hotel: Brunton Boatyard

08th FEB. 2009/ SUN        KOCHI-KUMARAKOM    BY COACH

Check out of hotel and proceed on Morning City Tour of Kochi.

Kochi, formerly known as Cochin, is a city of many parts. Around for a long, long time, Kochi played a pivotal role in the development of shipping and trade in the region. Kochi's prime location on the west coast, its fine bay and protected harbor, made it popular with seafarers and merchant ships who made frequent stops to stock up on spices, coffee and wood en route in either direction to the rich markets of Europe or West Asia. Its bustling seafront is still extremely vital-featuring a Naval Base, and one of India's busiest contemporary ports. Its twin city, Ernakulam, is an important railhead and industrial centre.

Kochi's location between the blue, blue waters of the Arabian Sea and Kerala's emerald backwaters, its rich medley of Indian and foreign architecture, its truly unusual sights like the Chinese fishing nets and its quaint quiet localities like the Jewish Quarter (known as Jewtown!) demand the attention of all who travel to Kerala. The ancestors of Kochi's Jews came here two thousand years ago, got involved in the spice trade, prospered and stayed back to build a new life free from religious persecution. The population dwindled significantly with immigration to Israel, and the few families that still live here struggle to maintain their cultural heritage, centered on the beautiful synagogue at the heart of a Salman Rushdie novel; today, it has only 13 members.

Morning itinerary: visit the fish market and the cantilevered Chinese fishing nets, which line the entrance to the harbor mouth. Chinese traders are believed to have originally introduced them in the 14th century, and they still yield succulent shrimp today. We proceed to St. Francis Church, erected by the Portuguese, and the first church In Goa to have been built in the European style. Vasco De Gama died on the site in 1524, and was originally buried in the cemetery; 14 years later his body was removed to Portugal. Also on our agenda: the Dutch Palace at Mattancherry, with its grand coronation hall, built in 1555.

Lunch with Nimmy Paul, Keralan cooking teacher extraordinaire, who was recently featured in Gourmet magazine. Nimmy, along with her husband Paul, will give us a demonstration of local cooking.

After lunch, we take our coach to Alleppey, queen village of the Kerala backwaters....and then take a serene boat ride from Alleppey to serene Kumarkom Lake Resort.

Gala evening under the stars, beginning with a cooking demonstration of Keralan cuisine--fish, coconuts, curry leaves and local spices figure heavily--by Head Chef of Kumarakom Lake Resort. Dinner follows. After dinner we will enjoy an outdoor performance, cooled by moonlight breezes, of one of Kerala's greatest contributions to the arts: the amazing Kathakali Dance Drama.

Based on stories from ancient epics, such as the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and the Puranas, Kathakali performances are danced stories, without words, rich in a language of subtle, coded gestures, accompanied by rhythmic music. The movements of the performers, with special attention paid to hands and eyes, are mesmerizing enough. But even more striking to the first-timer are the extraordinarily colorful, doorway-wide, larger-than-life costumes, with towering headdresses, and the most bizarre and garish painted-face make-up you've ever seen. It would certainly frighten small children--were audiences not invited to watch the performers spend hours putting the make-up on, as we will be allowed to do. So important to Kathakali is this make-up, that its application is considered to be a part of the performance.

Overnight at hotel: KUMARAKOM LAKE RESORT

09th FEB. 2009/ MON    IN KUMARAKOM

Morning: We cruise the backwaters, a network of streams rolling through rice-paddy fields and small, bucolic villages; we take in the local life, just as it is. And it is extraordinary. Kerala is one of the most idyllic places on earth: though one of the poorest regions in India, it has the highest rate of literacy and the longest life expectancy in the country. You will see the unstressed joy on the faces of its residents. We will stop at a backwater "drive-through" to pick up a jug of that morning's "toddy beer." On to Philip Kutty's Farm House, where coconuts and spices are grown, harvested, and packaged. We will get a tour and then stay on for lunch.

Afternoon discussion at the resort: the ayurvedic world – its uses of oils and herbs in medicine, body treatments and general health. Opportunities for ayurvedic massage.

Evening cooking demo by Head Chef of the lake's newest luxury resort, the Radisson Plaza. Dinner follows.

Overnight at hotel: KUMARKOM LAKE RESORT

10th FEB. 2009/TUE  KUMARAKOM-KOCHI-JAIPUR SURFACE/ FLIGHT

Morning at leisure. Opportunities for ayurvedic massage.

Early lunch poolside or hotel restaurant.

We fly by charter from Kochi to Jaipur, leaving Kumarakom by bus at 1:30 PM

Departure: Kochi        at: 1530 Hours

Arrival: Jaipur              at: 1800 Hours

Upon arrival at Jaipur airport, in almost painfully picturesque Rajasthan, we will be received by a TCI representative and transferred to our hotel, the award-winning Rambagh Palace, former hunting lodge of Jaipur's maharajah. It made the Condé Nast Traveler Gold List 2007, as one of The Best Places to Stay in the World.
 
Rajasthan's riches are an enduring legacy.  No other region in the country assembles the many paradoxes of India as Rajasthan does: invincible forts, magnificent palaces, waves of sand dunes and serene lakes. By far, it is the most colorful region in India....and the astonishingly vivid dresses of the women, and the similarly hued turbans of the men, add even more visual splendor.

Jaipur's past is always right in front of you. The city of victory, Jaipur presides over the whole fascinating desert state of Rajasthan and its people: the palaces and forts of yesteryear that were witness to royal processions and splendor are now living monuments, accepted quite naturally into the lifestyles of the people of the "pink city". Except for the busy traffic of bicycles, cars and buses, little seems to have changed. There is a timeless quality here that visitors always find seductive.

Dinner and whiskey tasting at Survana Mahal Restaurant in the Rambagh Palace. .

Rambagh Palace Restaurant Suvarna Mahal  was recently awarded Whisky Hotel of the World for outstanding presentation, promotion and knowledge of great whiskies. It's no coincidence that the presence of the British (arguably the world's greatest whiskey makers) was strong in Jaipur, due to the outstanding relationship that they forged with Rajasthan’s maharajahs.

Overnight at hotel: RAMBAGH PALACE

11th FEB. 2009/WED        IN JAIPUR

Buffet breakfast at the hotel.

You're welcome to a morning of leisure, but you're also invited to a morning of jewelry shopping. Visit Jahari Market and meet the Surana Family, the Royal Jewelers of the city of Jaipur, their factory and showroom. Return to the hotel after shopping.

Visit to Jaipur's Jantar Mantar, the most famous of five observatories built by Sawai Jai Singh in India. Jai Singh was a great admirer of science and technology, but he was especially passionate about astronomy. There is a very interesting story behind the construction of this observatory, the largest stone observatory in the world. Sawai Jai Singh sent his emissaries to all parts of the world before commencing construction of this observatory. The emissaries returned with many manuals on astronomy containing cutting-edge technological information. One of these manuals was a copy of La Hire's "Tables." The king ordered the observatory to be built according to the details contained in this manual. When the construction ended, to the astonishment of the king and others, the observatory was 20 seconds more accurate than the one mentioned in "Tables."

For lunch, enjoy a lavish carnival organized by His Highness Raja Bhim Singh at his royal farmhouse--a Rajasthan country-style meal complete with entertainment and mina bazaar.

Afternoon at leisure. Transports will be available to return to shopping areas.

Gala Dinner at the magnificent Samode Palace. You will arrive at village entrance gate, from where you will be transferred to the Palace in a camel cart procession accompanied by local musicians and mashaals (burning torches), through the quaint village of Samode with its cobbled streets. Timing is such that the group arrives at the Palace at sunset. The Palace is magnificently illuminated and the entrance is lined with decorated camels and horses, village elders and charming young women performing the traditional royal welcome ceremony. Champagne cocktails are served in the Sheesh Mahal, or Hall of Mirrors, which is embellished by the exquisite craftsmanship of jewelers who have created a wonder in glass.
The ambience goes back over four hundred years, to when the king and his lieutenants would sit on the cushioned floor and dancers would perform in the central area. As you dine in regal style on traditional silver thalis (plates), local dancers and musicians perform.

After dinner, while coffee is served, as a grand finale we will witness an elaborate fireworks display against the mountainous landscape.

Return to your hotel.

Overnight at the hotel: RAMBAGH PALACE

12th FEB. 2009/THU        IN JAIPUR

This is the Day of the Elephants.

Morning: you will be driven just outside Jaipur to the ancient capital of Amber to see the fabulous Amber Fort. Maharaja Mansingh, Mughal Emperor Akbar's most successful General, started the construction of the Amber Fort in the 17th century. Ruins and remains are spread over the Aravalli hills and sprawling crenulated walls lattice the surrounding area. When you reach the top, you will have a great tour of the exquisite fort.....as well as a thrilling view of the ancient hills, the golden valley, and the Moat Lake below.

Of course, reaching the top ain't so easy! The Amber Fort is steep and inaccessible (as all good forts are!).....so we will ride an elephant caravan to it in grand style! (Have your cameras ready.) Jeeps are also available if you're pachyderm-adverse.

Later, a visit to Dera Village, a half hour outside of Jaipur. Once again, the final kilometer to the village must be done by elephant or jeep - your choice! At the Village Resort, we will dine in the air-conditioned restaurant if the temperature is too hot for a splendid outdoor feast. After lunch, we will witness a high-level Elephant Polo Match and then be given an opportunity to play - our third chance to ride an elephant in Rajasthan in one day!!

Return to hotel to freshen up.

Dinner at City Palace

Unbelievable City Palace extravaganza with all the trimmings of Rajasthani Royal tradition and cuisine. This is an overwhelming complex of exquisite palaces, gardens and courtyards, decorative art and carved doorways.

Overnight at hotel: RAMBAGH PALACE

13th FEB. 2009/FRI            JAIPUR-AGRA

Morning at leisure.

Lunch at Jai Mahal Palace's Cinnamon Restaurant, where only the freshest ingredients and authentic herbs and spices provide a modern twist to traditional Indian cuisine. After nearly two weeks of traditional cuisine, it'll be nice to see to see a variation.

After Lunch transfer to Airport to connect flight for Agra.

Departure: Jaipur      at: 1530 Hours By: IT-2316 (Kingfisher)

Arrival: Agra             at: 1630 Hours

Meeting/ assistance and transfer to the AMAR VILAS hotel, a spectacular property with a grand view of the Taj Mahal from every room. No other hotel in Agra is anywhere near Amar Vilas in quality....or anywhere near the Taj Mahal! As you will see immediately, no one is ever disappointed when finally gazing upon the world's most beautiful building.

But Agra, still associated with the glorious period of Mughlai rule, has more to offer than the Taj Mahal.

The Mughlais were great builders in general, having constructed a number of Versailles-like spectaculars (in about the same period as Versailles). The massive but elegant Agra Fort, the delicate artistry of Itimad-ud-daulah's tomb, the magnificent Taj, and Akbar's deserted capital, Fatehpur Sikri, are each unique and outstanding. The Mughlai's architectural genius can also be seen in the forts, palaces and aesthetically laid out gardens--each one a silent witness to a grand style of a golden era.

Evening Dinner: We begin with a Kathak Dance performance--the northern version of the Kathakali we experienced in the south. We then have a cooking demo by the Mughal Sheraton chefs, featuring the wonderful local kebabs (legacy of the Mughlai tradition). Afterward, a grand Mughlai feast. Off to sweet dreams and anticipation of our morning visit to the Taj Mahal.

Overnight at hotel: AMAR VILAS

14th FEB. 2009/SAT        IN AGRA

 Happy Valentine's Day! Early morning coffee and crumpets as we are transported by Tonga ride (horse carriage) for a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal, one of the wonders of the world, is everything that has been said about it and more - it is a monument to love for one's spouse. This being Valentine's Day, you might say we're in the right place at the right time. Taking 22 years and 20,000 men to build, The Taj required white marble that was quarried 200 miles away and was transported to the site by a fleet of 1000 elephants. Built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as an expression of his love for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, in the mid-17th century, the Taj Mahal is truly one of the wonders of the world. Though the Taj appears to be amazingly perfect from almost any angle, it is the close-up marble inlay work that is really astounding.

Buffet Breakfast on return from Taj Mahal visit.

Full day of leisure:

- Opportunities for ayurvedic massage and other spa services

- Arrangements for shopping jaunts for those who are interested in the marble inlaid items for which Agra is famous.

Lunch in Amar Vilas banquet room.....and preparations for our evening Wedding Feast......during which two members of our group will be "married!" (It doesn't matter if they're married already!) In Jaipur, measurements will have been taken for our wedding costumes; at lunch in Agra, we will try on the garments!

The ladies that desire may spend the afternoon being prepared for the wedding (up to two hours preparation). As with Indian brides, there are choices to be made: whether to wear simple or intricate facial make-up, whether to paint the hands with henna (vegetable paste), whether to bejewel yourself sparsely or richly. Then, of course....you will need expert help to don your saree.

This Valentine's evening, we begin the ultimate Indian celebration - an Indian Wedding with all the trimmings. This is an amazing night of fanfare and ceremony. Although this is a mock wedding, it will be presided over by a real Hindu priest, and the Sanskrit mantras that will be chanted are similar to western vows - we'll have a translation of what our couple is agreeing to in advance. All spirits will soar, and those inclined will be set for a romantic evening.....especially when we return to our specially prepared rooms.

Overnight at hotel: AMARVILAS.

15th FEB. 2009/SUN        AGRA-DELHI        BY FLIGHT

Buffet Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning at leisure.

Lunch at the hotel.

5:00 pm Depart Agra (AGR) Arrive Delhi (DEL) 6:00 pm  Kingfisher Airlines #2302

Check in to Maurya Sheraton Hotel. Dinner on the rooftop of Le Meridien Hotel overlooking Delhi.

Overnight at hotel: MAURYA SHERATON

16th FEB. 2009/MON       DELHI

Buffet breakfast at hotel.

City Tour of Old Delhi. The tour will begin with a visit to Raj Ghat, a simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi; drive past the Red Fort continuing to the Jama Masjid by bicycle rickshaws, one of Asia's largest mosques. The magnificent Red Fort, overlooking the river Jamuna was built during the years 1638 - 48 when the Mughlai Empire was at its peak. The tour continues to Jama Masjid, one of Asia's largest mosques; people stream in and out of the mosque continuously and the presence of a nearby bazaar means that the area is rarely quiet.

Lunch at Chor Bizarre – outstanding Mughlai cuisine.

City Tour of New Delhi. New Delhi reflects the legacy that the British left behind. The division between New and Old Delhi is the division between the capitals of the British and the Mughlais respectively--and a division in life-styles, as we move from the historic charm of the Old, to the 21st-century standards of the New.  Included in the tour is a drive past the imposing India Gate, the Parliament building and the Rastrapathi Bhawan, the President's residence.

Final meal for main tour will be at Bukhara Restaurant in the Maurya Sheraton, a wild banquet of tandoor-cooked meats (including the outstanding tandoori goat), shellfish, vegetables, and enormous breads.

 We bid ALVIDA (goodbye) to those who are leaving on international flights. For those who are taking the extension, we return to the hotel.

LEAVE DELHI        BY INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT

End of Main Tour



POST TOUR EXTENSION IN UDAIPUR.....INDIA'S GRANDEST DESTINATION

16th FEB. 09/MON        IN DELHI

Overnight in hotel: MAURYA SHERATON

17th FEB. 09/TUES        DELHI-UDAIPUR

Morning class at Oberoi Cooking School

Lunch at Spice Route Restaurant (Imperial Hotel)

Afternoon class at Institute of Hotel Management (IHM)

Evening Flight:

Depart  Delhi (DEL) _____  UDAIPUR (UDA) _____ (FLIGHT INFORMATION TO

COME)

Transfer to the number one rated hotel in the world, Udai Vilas.

Dinner and Overnight at hotel: UDAI VILAS

18th FEB. 09/WED        UDAIPUR

Breakfast buffet, poolside lunch, - entire day of leisure, enjoying the ambiance and facilities of the hotel. Ayurvedic massage and full complement of spa services available. A full list of the hotel's services will be listed shortly from cigar lounges to world-class shopping.

Dinner at the Lake Palace. Any description of this evening would be inadequate. One could mention the individual menus printed on marble slabs, or the diwan seating on plush pillows, or the silver tray settings, or to the soothing Indian sitar player's background refrains, or the exceptional food and service floating in the middle of one of the world's most romantic lakes... this is one of India's highest expressions of luxury and culinary artistry.

Overnight at the hotel.

19th FEB. 09/THURS        UDAIPUR

Breakfast buffet.

Morning half-day city tour of Udaipur, a splash of color in Rajasthan that is brighter when tinged with the tones of local lore and legends.

Visit the City Palace, built in 1725, which houses the Dilkhush Mahal, Sheesh Mahal - studded with glittering Belgium Mirrors, Motif Mahan and the Palace of Lord Krishna, all of which are ornately decorated.

Later visit the Jagdish Temple. This temple built in 1651 is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the preserver in the Hindu Trinity of Gods. Later drive around the splendid Fatehsagar Lake.

LUNCH AT ROOFTOP RESTAURANT AT HOTEL FATEHPRAKASH PALACE.

Sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola, arriving for our final dinner on the island of Jag Mandir - the whole island is ours for the evening...

Overnight at the hotel.

20th FEB. 09/FRI        UDAIPUR-DELHI

Final Buffet Breakfast in hotel.

Late check out at 1:00 PM, in time for our final lunch at the hotel.

Flight from Udaipur to Delhi approximately 6:00 PM arriving at 7:00 PM. Transfer from domestic airport to International airport. On the way, one last Bacchanal! Our final Dinner will be at the Trident Airport Hotel's fine restaurant.

The End.

COST

The base price of your tour is $13,500 per person double occupancy (single supplement is $4,500). This price is all-inclusive of all transportation from airport pickup to airport delivery, meals as described and associated beverages, all excursions, entry fees, and gratuities for baggage handlers, drivers and guides. That being said, most excursions and meals are optional. The excursions that are not optional are the ones that get us from point A to point B. Otherwise, you are free to do your own thing if the mood strikes you. Personal expenses, such as custom excursions, private meals, spa charges, room service and bar bills are not included.
In addition, you must choose either Business or Economy Class as your Domestic Air Package for Mumbai-Goa-Cochin-Jaipur-Agra-Delhi flights. Business Class is on a first-come-first-serve basis, but all flights are fairly short, so economy class should be fine for most travelers. Flights listed above and prices listed below are subject to change, e.g., fuel and tax surcharges.

You may choose to join the four-night optional extension, including an extra night in Delhi and three nights in the sublime, number one-rated hotel in the world (2007 Travel + Leisure), Udai Vilas in Udaipur. The price for the extension is $4,500 per person double occupancy plus $1,700 single occupancy supplement.

OPTIONAL INTERNATIONAL AIR PROGRAM

You may choose our optional air program that includes Air India direct flights from New York to Mumbai, returning Delhi to New York. Air India is now part of the Star Alliance, so participating frequent flyer mile programs can now be accrued for Air India trips. If you make your own international air arrangements, we will arrange to pick you up from and deliver you to the airport. LOWER ECONOMY FARES MAY BE AVAILABLE FOR THESE SAME FLIGHTS IF YOU ARE READY TO PAY IN FULL, BUT THE BUSINESS AND FIRST CLASS FARES ARE PROBABLY UNBEATABLE:
Jan 31, 2009: JFK / BOM: Depart at 2130/ arrive at 2245 hrs (next day/ Feb 01, 2009) Air India: Non stop flight AI 140
Feb 16 or 20, 2009: DEL/ JFK: Depart at 0030 hrs/ arrive at 0545 hrs (same day) Air India: Non stop flight AI 101

To make your reservations, you can either call toll-free at 1-877-814-6502 or click below to fill out and fax the reservation form.

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For a quote on AccessAmerica's basic through deluxe travel insurance, give us the age of each passenger

Cancellation Policy: If you cancel 180 days prior to departure, a full refund will be made. For cancellations received less than 180 days prior to departure, per person cancellation charges are as follows: 179-120 days prior to departure, 10% of Tour cost; 119-90 days prior to departure, 20% of Tour cost; 89-60 days prior to departure, 40% of Tour cost; 58 or fewer days prior to departure, 90% of Tour cost.

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 For fastest service, call toll-free 1-877-814-6502. We can take your reservation information over the phone.