| Discover,
Dream, Experience |
| India
has myriad destinations, activities, experiences, colours and a vibrancy
rarely experienced elsewhere in the world. In each newsletter we will focus
on slightly more off beat destinations, experiences and hotels to showcase
the best of off-beat India. |
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| Experience: Colonial Agra |
| We
all know about the Taj Mahal but few people know that Agra was the seat of
power for the North West Province from 1803-1857, and that it has one of
the best preserved cantonment areas in the country. To learn more, we introduce
you to a historian in his colonial bungalow where you will have chai before
heading out to explore the Bungalows of Cantonment, St George's Cathedral,
Havelock Memorial Church, Queen Empress Mary Library, the incredible art
deco post office and the telegraph office, still housing the original equipment.
Did you know that the first telegraph sent in India was between Calcutta
and Agra in 1854? |
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| Visit:
Bekal, Northern Kerala |
| Bekal
is a tropical destination beside the Arabian Sea in the virtually undiscovered
region of Northern Kerala. It's four main beaches, Hosdurg, Kappil, Kanwatheertha
and Azhithala are barely touched by tourism and lend themselves to an authentic,
deserted beach experience rarely found in the more popular areas further
south. In addition to the endless miles of deserted beaches, activities include
beach walks, trekking in the Western Ghats, visiting the imposing 350 year
old Bekal Fort, which spreads over 40 acres and guarded this shoreline from
invaders, and cycling through the arteries of backroads to experience local
village life. |
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| Festival: Hemis Festival,
Ladakh |
| This
vibrant and colourful festival takes place in July every year at Ladakh’s
wealthiest and largest monastery, Hemis Gompa. This is an extraordinary
event attended by locals resplendent in traditional clothes and the women
further adorned with flamboyant headgear and jewellery. Wearing vibrantly-decorated
and richly adorned paper-mache masks, the Lamas perform their sacred masked
dance, known as Chaam. They simulate combat between good spirits and evil
demons to the cacophony of drums, cymbals and long horns. The crowd unites
in uproarious song and dance when the idol of evil is destroyed signifying
that good has prevailed. |
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| Stay at: Dev Shree, Deogarh,
Rajasthan |
| Set
in a beautiful lakeside location with a plethora of birdlife and adjacent
to a local village with resident artisans from all walks of life, is the
newly opened Dev Shree. The accommodation is in seven spacious and comfortable
rooms, each overlooking the central courtyard. Large shaded verandahs, wonderful
home-cooked food, lunch on the lawns and snacks by the camp fire with your
entertaining hosts add to the experience which is reminiscent of staying
at a friend’s country retreat. Walk off some of the delicious food by exploring
the local fort or take a stroll to the dam for a spectacular sunset. This
is one of India’s most chic new properties and should be included on an itinerary
to discover true family hospitality in off beat Rajasthan. |
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