At bdb our mantra is that real wealth is measured in time, relationships and experiences which is why we have partnered with Travel Producer to bring you monthly travel inspiration. This month let's discover India... 

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes” as spoken by Marcel Proust. So how about trusting yourself in 2019 to discover a land that is chaotic, enriching, infuriating, exhilarating, outrageous, fantastic and fabulous! India is all of these things and more, offering a fantastic destination for discovery, no matter what time of year.  

India is a land of contrasts. From the mountains of the Himalayas, across the great Indo-gangetic plain, through the jungle of Satpura and out to the pristine beaches that line the Indian Ocean, India offers a diversity that is virtually unparalleled. Discover wildlife, culture, architecture, religion, wellbeing, beach or an intoxicating mix of all.

India is renowned for its rich history of a variety of cultures having been a battleground for marauding forces from every point of the compass. Forts and fortifications are everywhere, many still in fabulous condition, others gently crumbling. Old Delhi, as would be expected, has the most visited with the magnificent Red Fort. From here, take the express train out to Agra to visit the beautiful Taj Mahal that Kipling described as the “embodiment of all things pure”, and which lives up to the hype that surrounds it.

Escape the capital, into kingly Rajasthan that boasts innumerable superb defensive masterpieces. A personal favourite being Jaisalmer where you can see the delicate handprints of royal women embedded in the wall before they committed Jauhar, a ritual mass suicide in which they threw themselves into a fire rather than fall into the hands of a besieging army. From Jaisalmer, you can enjoy a trip into the Thar desert to sleep beneath a billion stars!

With its rich biodiversity, India is home to some of the world’s most iconic animals: Elephant, tiger, snow leopard, monkeys, antelopes and rhinos. You will need to be very lucky to spot a snow leopard in the wild, but there are some important tiger sanctuaries, notably Bandhavgarh in the state of Madhya Pradesh (central north) or Ranthambore in Rajasthan, that specialise in sighting this magnificent creature. Even if you don’t spot any, you are guaranteed to enjoy exploring a forest wildlife reserve whilst sitting atop an elephant, surrounded by songbirds and butterflies.

 

Without doubt, India offers an unparalleled culinary experience. The cuisine is a wonderful melting pot of regional specialties from grills and kebabs in the north to the fiery curries of the south. The key has been the endless supply of spices such as cardamom, chili, turmeric and coriander that cater for every taste from the classic to the adventurous and will delight your taste buds.

Finally discover travel as a way to improve your state of mind. India is a country steeped in ancient Ayurvedic medicine, that literally translates as the ‘knowledge of life’. Designed to strengthen and heal the mind and body, these ancient activities have been practiced for thousands of years before they became fashionable.  As John Muir said “Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul”. Allow us to introduce you to experiences that will positively impact on your life, even upon your way home.

Let us curate a personal journey for you or your family with the right balance of exploration, adventure and relaxation. Discover the contrasts of India from the luxurious palaces to daily street life; from busy cities to enchanting landscapes and cherish memories that will bring a smile long after you have departed her shores.

Discover our example of itineraries: 24 Carat India and Enchanting Golden Triangle Tour

Posted by: Celine Delasalle | Posted in: News