Tastes of India, 13 Day Gastronomy Tour

Hotels & restaurants

The Claridges – Delhi
Being India’s first 5-star hotel The Claridges opened in 1955 and invites the discerning traveler to experience the perfect blend of old-world elegance and contemporary luxury. Located in the heart of New Delhi’s eminent address – Lutyens Delhi, The Claridges is a historical landmark offering exquisite rooms and suites, an array of celebrated dining options, and dedicated leisure and business facilities, that are warmly embraced by classic architecture and complemented perfectly with expansive lawns.

Offering some of the most delectable meals, the 4 restaurants & bar provide a bouquet of gastronomic delights for all visitors to unwind. Recipes belonging to India, the Middle East, China, Europe and the Unites States, prepared by seasoned culinary experts are a delight for any food connoisseur.

Other amenities include a cafe and a bakery, along with a fitness room, an outdoor pool and a spa. There are also garden cabanas and an art gallery.

ITC Mughal – Agra
Located in close proximity to the Taj Mahal, this luxury resort offers 233 opulent rooms and suites, a resplendent spa, signature cuisine offerings and a range of elaborate banqueting facilities. It recreates a paradise for the contemporary Mogul – exemplifying the splendour and perfection that was the hallmark of the Mughal Dynasty.

Elegant rooms with marble floors feature Wi-Fi access (fee), TVs, and tea and coffee making facilities. Upgraded rooms add free breakfast and flat-screen TV, while suites offer butler service, lavish decor and separate bedrooms.

Quality, variety and ingenuity are the hallmarks of the three restaurants where the robust flavours of the North-West Frontier vie for attention with cuisines from across the world and close to home. Buffets, a la carte menus and a knowledgeable selection of beverages make every stay an epicurean delight. Afterwards relax in the elegant and stylish lounge bar or take a dip in the outdoor pool. A high-end spa features a fitness room, a choice of therapies and plunge pools.

Samode Haveli Hotel – Jaipur
An urban oasis in the historic walled city of Jaipur, Samode Haveli is a traditional Indian mansion set in a verdant garden with apartments arranged around a series of intimate couryards. Built 225 years ago as a residence of the rulers of Samode, it is still occupied by their descendants, who have converted their home into a luxury hotel.

Featuring antique furnishings, the chic, individually decorated rooms have Internet access, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and tea and coffeemaking facilities. Regal suites add separate living areas. Some feature mosaic mirror work, frescoes, and/or balconies or patios. Room service is offered.

The exquisite former dining hall that serves as a restaurant is bedecked with colourful hand-painted murals. There’s a choice between the traditional Rajasthani cuisine and international flavours within these frescoed interiors. Afternoon tea in the regal veranda lounge is soothing and meditative as you relax and watch the gentle world go by. Cocktails or a meal by the grand pool is a luxurious indulgence as you lie back in the comfortable salas or day beds that are strewn with large, regal bolsters.

Amenities also include an outdoor pool, a hot tub and a fitness room. Ayurvedic massage services are available.

Rohet Gahr – Rohat
Situated on the banks of a lake and set in the midst of rural surroundings has been one of India’s leading heritage hotels for a quarter of a century, but its history goes all the way back to 1622. Sprawling lawns and manicured gardens, which invite a multitude of birds and dancing peacocks, herald your entry into this oasis where the bird song is the only sound you will hear. A superb swimming pool with four charming pavilions entices you for a refreshing dip.

Often dinner is served by the poolside as folk musicians enliven the evening atmosphere. An elegant, beautifully appointed lounge, serene verandas, and terraces with breath-taking views, make perfect venues for relaxation. The thirty individually and beautifully appointed rooms offer all the creature comforts and add a touch of class.

Rohet Garh proudly boasts of the finest kitchens in traditional cuisine. The chefs have been trained by the lady of the house, the late Thakurani Sahiba Jayendra Kumari, who was the author of Cuisine of Rohet Garh and Quick and Easy Rajasthani Cuisine, the former published due to popular demand from our guests. Many have called their meal at Rohet Garh, their best in India.

Fateh Prakash Palace – Udaipur
Part of the iconic City Palace complex this luxurious hotel was built in the 20th century by Maharana Fateh Singh as a venue for royal events. Like princely dignitaries from another era, present-day guests arrive to be mesmerized by exquisite vistas of the lake and the mighty Aravalli mountain range.

Polished rooms feature period features and offer free Wi-Fi, satellite TV and minibars, plus sitting areas. Suites add separate living rooms; some have balconies or terraces with lake views.

Gastronomy is an all-sensory experience with Indian and world cuisines on offer. Sunset Terrace – consistently rated as one of India’s most scenic restaurants – is the perfect venue for a royal Mewari meal with sweeping views of Pichola, Jagmandir Island, Lake Palace and Sajjangarh Palace. Surya Darshan Bar offers a ceremonial English Afternoon Tea to savour with family and friends, later converting to a romantic sunset spot for champagne and hors d’oeuvres.

Other amenities include an outdoor pool, a spa offering a wide range of therapies and massages and a fitness area.

Radisson Blu Plaza Delhi
With an ideal location just five minutes from Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) and 10 minutes from Cyber City, the this modern hotel provides upscale accommodations and convenient city access.

Take a culinary journey around the world when you visit the on-site restaurants. Popular with visitors and locals alike, Neung Roi serves award-winning Thai specialties in a contemporary setting. The Great Kabab Factory has built a stellar reputation based on its casual atmosphere and wide range of Indian dishes. For sophisticated meals inspired by New York City’s vibrant culinary culture, there’s NYC which has an extensive buffet with an interactive show kitchen that features a different selection each day.The Pastry Shop offers delicious breads and desserts and after dinner, enjoy light snacks, rare whiskeys, handcrafted cocktails, and fine champagne and wines at Savannah Bar or at R – The Lounge.

The warm rooms and suites feature free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs, plus wood floors, work stations and sofas. Upgraded rooms include minibars and access to a private lounge, while suites add separate living rooms.

Massages and therapeutic treatments are available in the spa and there’s a gym, plus an outdoor pool, a sauna and a steam room.

Chor Bizarre Restaurant– Delhi
Part art, part kitsch, part imaginative, part contrived, the interiors of Chor Bizarre have been put together with India’s finery, frivolity and sheer joie de vivre in mind. The chefs have endeavoured to stay true to the actual origin of each regional dish, honestly recreating flavours that one would normally associate only with home cooked food of that region.

Haldiram’s Restaurant– Delhi
One of the best food outlets in northern India, here you can experience a genuine Indian breakfast. Among the many delicious nibbles to look out for are chole bhatoore, chaat, rajbhog, gulab jamun, dosa and chai (Indian masala tea)

Soy x Neung Roi Restaurant- Delhi
Located in the Radisson Blu Plaza hotel, this is a combination of authentic Thai Cuisine and Pan-Asian food theatre. Winning awards since its inception for the most authentic Thai cuisine in India, Neung Roi’s menu is inspired by all four regions of Thailand. Watch the master chefs as they grill, steam, pot-roast, stir-fry, ferment, and stew the freshest of ingredients in the interactive kitchen and experience progressive Asian fare specially curated from China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia.

Laxmi Vilas Palace – Bharatpur
From a Royal Palace to a heritage hotel, Laxmi Vilas Palace has become a great attraction in the small town of Bharatpur and offers a spectacular restaurant and bar that is perfect enjoying the mouthwatering food with lavish drinks, at whatever time of day.

Pal Haveli – Jodhpur
With a captivating view of the majestic Mehrangarh in the backdrop, and 360-degree view of other tourist attractions the imposing open-air restaurant, Indique, offers a truly romantic setting for a private candlelit dinner. Here, a spectacular mix of Rajasthani food with vintage and exotic blends and beverages in an old world stately ambience are served to the guests. The spectacular view of the skylights renders a sumptuous gastronomical experience under the moon.

Places & attractions

Agra
This is a Mecca for all travellers to India. It is the home to the magnificent Taj Mahal where the white marble bathed in the glow of the early morning sun is a magical experience.

Mehtab Bagh – Agra
These meticulously manicured gardens were built by Emperor Babur as the last in a series of 11 parks on the Yamuna River’s east bank, long before the Taj was conceived. Over time, they fell into disrepair until they were little more than a huge mound of sand. To protect the Taj from the erosive effects of the sand blown across the river, the park was reconstructed and is now one the best places from which to view the great mausoleum at of sunset.

Mohabbat the Taj
This show is one of the most interesting and mesmerizing plays that depicts the famous tale of Love. The Drama tells us the story of true and eternal love of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved wife Mumtaj Mahal. It is an 80 minute show which portray the famous love story and each and every moment of this immortal love. This show is organized every evening at the Kalakriti Cultural and Convention Centre which is popularly known as “The Sanaskritik Natyashala”. This famous natyashala is a mixture of Culture, History and Technology.

Red Fort – Agra
This huge fortress overlooking the Yamuna River is protected by imposing red sandstone ramparts, which we will ‘breach’ to explore the interior. Behold beautiful palaces, magnificent mosques and courtyards. To wander through this monumental walled city is to travel back in time to the Mughal emperors and appreciate the scope or their power and glory.

Delhi
Like all major Indian cities, Delhi is an attack on all of the senses with noise, exotic aromas and spectacular or unusual sights at every turn. The old mixes with the new for a unique experience wit a walk through the narrow alleys of Old Delhi, giving you an insight into the city’s life and heritage. On a sightseeing you may visit the Presidential Palace, The National Parliament, the India Gate, the tomb of Mughal Emperor Humayun and the 800-year-old Qutub Minar, the world’s tallest brick minaret, which is decorated with intricate calligraphy.

Chandni Chowk – Delhi
No visit to Delhi would be complete without exploring one of the oldest and busiest markets in Old Delhi. There is a wealth of history contained is this small area where on both sides of the wide Chandni Chowk are historical residential areas served by narrow lanes (gali), several of which are teeming with the peddlers, street vendors, bazaars and street food stalls that you really should try.

Jaipur
The city of victory, Jaipur presides over the fascinating desert state and its people: surrounded by rugged hills, each crowned by a formidable fort; and beautiful palaces, mansions and gardens dotted throughout its precincts. The palaces and forts of yesteryear that were witness to royal processions and splendour are now living monuments, accepted quite naturally into the lifestyles of the people of the “pink city”. Take a sightseeing tour to visit the City Palace, with its elaborately carved doorways and the Jantar Mantar observatory.

Keoladeo National Park – Jaipur
This stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site was formerly known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary and is home to more than 360 resident and migratory species of avifauna, including ducks, geese, coots, pelicans and the endangered Siberian crane. The park’s wetlands are a vital wintering point for migratory birds from Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, China and Siberia among others. Keoladeo is also home to mammals such as the golden jackal, striped hyena, the jungle cat, sambar deer, nilgai and blackbuck antelopes and wild boar.

Rohet Garh
Today this is a luxury heritage hotel but its history goes all the way back to 1622 when Maharaja Gaj Singh I of Marwar bestowed it upon Thakur Dalpat Singh I as a reward for his courage and endeavour in military campaigns. This noble past is evident the moment you set eyes upon the garh (fort) which has a beautifully decorated doorway big enough for an elephant to pass through. The interiors are lavishly appointed and evoke the splendour of the bygone days while the meticulously manicured gardens feature verandas and terraces with breathtaking views.

Bishnoi People – Rohet
Take a Jeep safari to meet the world’s original ‘eco-warriors’ who have protected their local environment for more than 500 years ever since a guru preached on the need to care for nature and wildlife. Since then, they have been responsible for the very survival of species like the endangered black buck antelope, an animal they share a special bond. The antelopes stay close to Bishnoi communities, never leaving them, and display complete trust in the Bishnoi.

Mehrangarh Fort – Jodhpur
The fort, which towers more than 400 ft above the city, is reached via a meandering road and occasionally the scars of past battles are evident on the thick rampart walls. If the sheer size of the fort is overwhelming, the beauty of the interiors is utterly beguiling. This is a vast walled city of palaces packed with gilded chambers and the most lavish decoration imaginable. After the fort, you can head down to the city itself to explore the colourful bazaar, whose sights, sounds and scents are the essence of Rajasthan.

Ranakpur
Here you will find the marble Jain temples. Such is their beauty that a local legend says the Moghul emperor Akbar was so mesmerized by what he saw that he carved a message in one of the temples ordering that it must never be destroyed.

Udaipur
Surrounded by the Aravalis in south Rajasthan, in the Girwa valley this is a magical city. Each year, parched earth is romanced by monsoon clouds, turning the dry caked lakes into a bubbling blue. Slowly the burnt browns of the hills are taken over by green forests and the skies are busy with a rush of birds. In this oasis nestled in the Thar desert, are some of the most beautiful temples and palaces of the Mewar rulers. Built around Lake Pichola are the finest examples of Rajasthan’s architecture.

On a city tour of you will see the City Palace, which is the largest palace complex in India, and where you can admire the ornately decorated Palace of Lord Krishna and the beautiful Shish Mahal, studded with glittering mirror work, and explore the museum. Then visit the Jagdish Temple and wander in the Sahelion-Ki-Bari (the Garden for the Maids of Honour) an ornamental pleasure garden with fountains and marble kiosks.

Lake Pichola Cruise – Udiapur
This picturesque boat ride not only provides the best scenic view of the lake and the mountains in the city, but also presents some of the most important historical monuments dotted along the lakeside or submerged within the lake. Beginning with the monumental lakeside facade of the City Palace, the boat ride moves to the picturesque ghats with their distinctive steps, still used by the locals. The lakeside is lined with the havelis of the nobles, most prominent being the Bagore ki Haveli. The Gangaur Ghat with the triple arched Tripolia stands as a magnificent piece of architecture at the end of Bagore ki Haveli.

Monsoon Palace – Udiapur
Also known as the Sajjan Garh Palace, is a hilltop palatial residence which overlooks Udaipur and the Fateh Sagar Lake from the top of a 1,100 ft-high hill. It is named Sajjangarh after Maharana Sajjan Singh of the Mewar dynasty, whom it was built for in 1884. Trek to the top of the hill and enjoy the breathtaking views of the city and Pichola Lake below and the Aravali Mountains on the horizon.

General tour information

This amazing tour is focused on the diverse and delicious cuisines of North India so you get plenty of opportunities to enjoy them in some of the finest restaurants in the Region. However Indian cuisine is really based on home cooking and we have therefore included cooking demonstrations and workshops where you can roll up your sleeves and make many of the dishes yourselves.

Mughlai -North Indian cooking class
Learn all about the ingredients used, and the processes that make for such tasty treats. Watch how typical Mughlai dishes such as biryani, keema matar, Mughlai chicken pulao, murg kababs Mughlai, shahi chicken korma, shahi kaju aloo or shami kabab are prepared. One of these will be prepared and you can take the recipe home with you.

Rajasthani cooking class
Jaipur’s most famous dishes are dal baati, churma, mawa kachori, ghewar, mirchi bada, Rajasthani subji and local variations of chapatti. Tonight, we have a truly special dinner experience as we enjoy an evening with a Rajasthani family. You join them in a cooking demonstration, taking active participation in the preparation of regional dishes, which you then share with them at the dinner table.

Family Meals
We have also included visits to families who will show you how to prepare the food they eat themselves. As India is renowned for its hospitality you will be offered dishes to try yourself.