South India Itinerary – Crow Collection Of
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1 SPLENDORS OF SOUTHERN INDIA The South Indian peninsula comprising of the Deccan Traps - one of the largest volcanic features on earth created over 60 million years ago that tapers off into the coastal plains - offers an interesting terrain for driving. From winding roads set in rugged mountains and forested slopes to flat-topped plateaus and boulder-strewn plains, a challenging geography awaits the intrepid! The states of the Indian peninsula are distinct in their physical and cultural landscape: Maharashtra’s vibrant cosmopolitan cities steeped in traditions and festivities; Karnataka’s plantation landscapes and its linguistic and cultural diversity; Tamil Nadu's transitional landscape from mountains to plains peppered with beautiful temples; and Andhra Pradesh's highlands interspersed with coastal stretches and their inimitable cuisine! While traveling through this rich landscape of history and heritage, of folklore and traditions, and along coastlines shaped by trade and piracy, missionaries and colonies, we hope you can imbibe the different flavors and experience the interplay of cultural elements that have defined the identity of the Indian Peninsula! 10239 Better Drive, Dallas, TX 75229 [email protected] 469.587.9814 2 ITINERARY AT A GLANCE Day City Hotel Room Category Nights Feb. 2016 12 to 15 Mumbai Taj Mahal Palace Luxury Grande City View Room 03 15 to 18 Covelong Taj Fisherman’s Cove Deluxe Delight Garden Cottage 03 18 to 19 Cochin Vivanta By Taj – Malabar Superior Charm – Sea View 01 19 to 21 Kumarakom Kumarakom Lake Resort Meandering Pool Rooms 02 19 MUMBAI - Mumbai, formerly a territory of seven fishing islands, is today a sprawling, bustling metropolitan that is undeniably one of India’s most dynamic and glamorous cities. The ‘city of dreams’ is a home for people from different walks of life, a veritable potpourri of economies, lifestyles, cultures, faiths and identities. The pop culture worldwide has Mumbai to thank for all the Bollywood paraphernalia in the media (Bollywood is India’s own film industry which releases more than 1000 movies per year), and films like Slumdog Millionaire and Shantaram offer a glimpse into the workings of this chaotic city and of the industrious people pursuing their varied livelihoods. CHENNAI - The port of Chennai, with a thriving global trade in silks, spices and jewels, was a capital over centuries of empires and colonies, and the region around it grew rapidly from a tiny town to the bustling metropolis it is today. Formerly known as Madras, Chennai’s location along the coast offered great opportunities for industries, and like other ports in India, some of the first few industries were set up there for textiles. The streets of Chennai evoke a sense of history that is intermingled with its political identity today; the older structures fulfill modern- day administrative roles, and the effect of the port is evident in the industrial and urban development. On the streets of Chennai, it is difficult to tell the difference between the political hoardings and the movie posters, essential elements of the city’s life, as is the variety of rice- based preparations of its rich cuisine. KOCHI - A true melting pot in every sense, Cochin or Kochi, is one of the most dynamic, vibrant and energetic cities in South India. One of the most important trading posts on the Spice Route, Cochin sports several vestiges of its multi-cultural past – Chinese fishing nets mingle with Dutch Palaces, Sephardic Synagogues and Portuguese forts – all jostling for space along the shores of the Arabian Sea. Today, Cochin has a thriving arts and cultural scene and hosts the Cochin Biennale, a major art event in Asia every winter. Several galleries, boutiques, and artisanal restaurants stand cheek by jowl with one another, especially in the Fort Cochin area, while the spice, fish and antique markets continue to flourish side-by-side. 10239 Better Drive, Dallas, TX 75229 [email protected] 469.587.9814 3 KUMARAKOM BACKWATERS - Tucked snugly into the banks of Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom is a delight for the senses. With the backwaters mirroring the blue skies and green palms overhead, few places can offer the quiet calm, tranquility and serendipity of Kumarakom, making it a haven for those who want to get away from the urban hustle and bustle. Rich in tropical fruit and vegetation, bananas, mangoes, coconuts and pineapples jostle for space with brightly colored hibiscus and bougainvillea, which spill over into the backwaters. HOTELS AT A GLANCE MUMBAI, Taj Mahal Palace - built in 1903 as the first property of the Taj Group, the hotel is an architectural marvel. Offering panoramic views of the Arabian Sea and the Gateway of India, the hotel is a gracious landmark of the city of Mumbai. The hotel consists of two parts: the Palace that was the original building in 1903 and the Tower wing constructed by an American architect in 1973. COVELONG, Taj Fisherman’s Cove - Built on the ramparts of an old Dutch fort and set amidst whispering casuarinas and palm trees, Fisherman’s Cove is one of the finest beach resorts in Southern India. KOCHI, Vivanta By Taj – Malabar - The perfect melange of contemporary chic and classic charm ensures that every guest at this hotel experiences something unique. The heritage wing, built in 1935, has graceful Victorian interiors that aptly reflect the inherent beauty of Cochin, whereas the tower wing houses newly renovated guestroom suites, each a delicate mix of the classic with the contemporary, complemented with modern technology. KUMARAKOM, Kumarakom Lake Resort - Nestled on the serene banks of Lake Vembanad, this resort is decorated with thick mangrove forests, green paddy fields and ripe coconut groves. Sprawling across acres of lush greenery, it exudes the charm of Kerala’s true heritage, while offering a complete range of ‘new age’ amenities. 10239 Better Drive, Dallas, TX 75229 [email protected] 469.587.9814 4 DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY GROUP FLIGHT: FEBRUARY 11 (Thursday) Depart from DFW on Emirates Airways Flight 222 at 11:25 a.m. Arrive in Dubai on Friday, Feb. 12th at 11:55 a.m. Depart from Dubai at 1:20 p.m. on Emirates Airways Flight 502 Arrive in Mumbai on Friday, Feb. 12th at 5:40 p.m. Welcome to Mumbai! Upon arrival at the Mumbai International Airport Terminal – 2, after clearing immigration and customs, you will be met by an O’Harani representative with paging signs at the arrival hall and transferred to your hotel for check-in. This evening, enjoy a private welcome cocktail reception, followed by a late dinner at The Souk Restaurant (at hotel), located on the rooftop of the Taj hotel with panoramic views of the Mumbai harbor and the Gateway of India. The restaurant serves light Eastern & Mediterranean cuisine. Overnight in Mumbai FEBRUARY 13 (Saturday) IN MUMBAI Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Breakfast at Hotel. This morning will be dedicated to activities organized by your partner art school in Mumbai (visiting the school, dropping off art supplies, etc.). Relax over a lunch at the Shamiana (at hotel) – the original coffee shop of the city that offers an all-day dining experience with a multi-cuisine buffet to suit every mood and palate. After lunch, you will witness the activities connected with the Kala Ghoda festival,* the country’s largest multicultural festival where you can experience a kaleidoscope of music, dance, theatre, literature, street stalls, cinema, workshops, visual arts, urban design and architecture and heritage walks. * Note: The detailed schedule is announced only about 3-4 weeks in advance (www.kalaghodaassociation.com). 10239 Better Drive, Dallas, TX 75229 [email protected] 469.587.9814 5 You will then head back to the hotel to freshen up before proceeding for a late dinner at the Indigo (outside hotel) – a restored colonial-era bungalow with stylish spaces and a terrace for high-end European cooking. Indigo is located at walking distance from the Taj Mahal Hotel. Overnight at the Taj Mahal Palace hotel in Mumbai FEBRUARY 14 (Sunday) IN MUMBAI Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Early this morning, take in Mumbai by Dawn. Some believe that a city is a microcosm of its individual dwellers, its daily rhythms setting the pace of a city’s mood and character. Yet Mumbai, as it is waking up, is nothing like the Mumbai that you see under the revealing light of the day. On a recent visit to Mumbai – India’s city of drama and dreams, fashion and finance, we came away with a revelation, that at its very heart even a megapolis like Mumbai begins with simple morning rituals. Walk through our footsteps (and that of a million others!) as we journey through the city’s fishing village, flower markets and newspaper stalls, as they provide grist to the everyday grindstone of Mumbai’s economy. You will return back to hotel for breakfast. Later this morning, you will proceed on an orientation tour of Mumbai covering Dhobi Ghats - a huge open air laundry that washes huge quantities of this beehive city’s linen, the Mani Bhawan, a building that houses a diorama on the life of Mahatma Gandhi, and a drive past Victoria Terminus and other Indo-Saracenic buildings of Mumbai. End the tour at the Prince of Wales Museum, one of the premier art and history museums in India housed in a building of Indo-Saracenic architecture style that showcases a world-class collection of over 60,000 art objects. Lunch at Khyber (outside hotel) - Khyber is an elegant, up-market restaurant serving exquisite Northern Indian, Mughal food, using the best, freshest ingredients and a charcoal grill. You can chose from the following TWO OPTIONS for an afternoon exploration or spend it at leisure at the hotel: 1.