Since I was a little girl, I’ve been fascinated with India. My dad took a month-long trip to the country in the ‘70s and brought home stories and all sorts of treasures—rugs, jewelry, and various other trinkets–that I still have tucked away.
India is a country that has intrigued, yet eluded me. The idea of navigating such a large, complex place is intimidating and seems like a monumental task. And taking a mass-market tour where guests are herded like cattle is not my idea of a good time. However, two of my favorite brands, Kensington Tours and Saveur Magazine, have teamed up to create a luxurious gastronomical tour of India, which is more in line with my travel style.
One of the best ways to discover a place is delve into its culinary scene. Whether it’s visiting markets, trying street food, taking culinary tours, or learning cooking techniques, local food offers insight into the traditions of a region. That’s exactly what Kensington and Saveur have developed with their Taste of India with Raghavan Iyer tour. Internationally-renowned author, Raghavan Iyer, is the host of the Emmy award-winning documentary ‘Asian Flavors,’ a travel expert, culinary specialist, and will lead this two-week gastronomical adventure. Running from February 25 through March 10, 2015, this exceptional, small group trip has space for just 24 travelers.
The tour begins in Mumbai and ends in Delhi, with stops in Calcutta, Lucknow, Arga, home of the iconic Taj Mahal. Fragrant spice markets, hands-on cooking classes, and culinary walks are combined with the rich and diverse heritage of India to make this tour ideal for the epicurean traveler. A sunset tea tasting at the Taj Mahal, dinner in the home of Indian royalty, and experiencing Holi, the ‘Festival of Colors,’ are just a few of the authentically curated experiences of this extraordinary trip through the Golden Triangle.
Just looking at this unique gastronomic journey through India makes my mouth water. Having used Kensington Tours in multiple countries and recognizing Saveur as one of the leading names in culinary, the Taste of India with Raghavan Iyer tour is bound to be a bespoke experience for even the most discerning traveler. The 14-day tour starts at $9,200 per person and features world-class, five-star hotels. As celebration of India’s cuisine, this remarkable itinerary is also a tribute to the country’s culture and history.
When traveling, I like to incorporate culinary experiences into my itinerary. I’ve made goulash in Budapest, strudel in Austria, and macaroons in Paris. I’ve roamed the food markets of Hong Kong, Beijing, Singapore, and The Philippines. I’ve taken culinary crawls in Buenos Aires, Rome, and Florence. These experiences gave me more than a satisfied stomach. I also gained valuable cultural understanding and had the opportunity to interact with locals. Thus, I can’t imagine a more delicious way to delve into India than with Saveur magazine and Kensington Tours.
Kensington Tours offers custom and private guided tours to over 90 countries worldwide. The flexibility of Kensington’s offerings results in tailor-made journeys that are carefully handcrafted to deliver personalized adventures like no other company. Kensington Tours was named to “World’s Best Awards 2011” by Travel + Leisure and named one of the “Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth,” by the editors of National Geographic Adventure magazine.
This article was sponsored and contains affiliate links. However, all opinions are mine.
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