FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT: Pilot PR: Charlotte Fraser or Mandy Gore-Booth Mob: + 44 (0) 7930 370175 / 7879622368 [email protected] / [email protected] 10 July 2012 HYDERABAD UNVEILED – HOTSPOTS IN INDIA’S CITY OF PEARLS Hyderabad – India’s city of pearls is famous today as much for its software capital status as it is for its imposing landmarks like the Charminar, and the Mecca Masjid - one of South India’s oldest mosques. Yet for a truly exclusive experience within the city try one of Enchanting-Travels’ hand- picked selection of special activities. TRIBAL VISIT – Enjoy a private full day’s excursion to Shadnagar (Burugadda), just an hour’s drive from the city centre (80kms). This is a friendly Lambada village where a Lambada tribe– originally nomads from Rajasthan - have settled. Witness the living traditions and enjoy the tribal dances and other cultural activities. TEXTILE TREAT –Explore Pochampalli, just 45 minutes from the city centre (100kms), and witness master weavers at work. Observe the Ikkat and Double-Ikkat style of weaving sarees, dresses and furnishing of fabrics and bedcovers. It’s worth spending a whole day here as you have the opportunity to interact with the weavers with the assistance of your personal English- speaking local guide. HANDICRAFT HEAVEN – Spend a full day (9 hours) visiting the workplaces of Hyderabad’s traditional craftspeople and observe masters at work, from pot makers and lac bangle makers to the bidri (metal) artists. SPICY STROLL – Wander through Hyderabad’s many markets with a local English-speaking guide who will assist you in interacting with the many vendors. Understand the native fruits, vegetables, spices and flowers that provide a colourful and fragrant perspective of this cosmopolitan city. HERITAGE WALK – Enjoy a two hour walk with a private tour guide as you explore the many sites (and sights) of Hyderabad’s old city: Jama Masjid; Gulzar Houz; the four gateways – Kali Kaman, Sehr-e-Batil Kaman, Machli Kaman and Charminar Kaman; Paterghatti market and Alauddin Building; Asif Jahi court and Dewan Devdi Kaman; and Chatta Bazar. CITY OF PEARLS – Hyderabad acquired the sobriquet ‘City of Pearls’, due to the benevolent patronage of the Nizams, who ruled the then princely state of Hyderabad for over 200 years from the 18th century to mid 20th century. Their imperial patronage and prosperous lifestyle attracted scores of craftsmen from distant parts of the world, especially the Arabian Gulf where the rare FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE original pearls are found in profusion. The Nizams demanded that these pearls be brought to India in abundance. During their glorious reign, pearls of various types were showered by them on the subjects. Hence, Hyderabad has become a one-stop-destination for pearls, which you can observe up-close with a visit to pearl merchants. CULINARY EXPERIENCE WITH MS. MUMTAZ KHAN – Visit Ms. Mumtaz Khan’s residence in Begumpet (the city centre) to taste authentic Hyderabadi food in the traditional Hyderabadi style (known as a chowki dinner) and be hosted with an exceptional Indian foodie welcome. Ms. Khan is renowned for her Hyderabadi cuisine and food demonstrations and each meal is served in special Nawab antique crockery to add to the spectacle. The menu consists of food fit for a king and queen! Enjoy Lukmi (a flat square dough pastry generally filled with Minced meat of Lamb) to start. The main course usually comprises of dishes such as Dum ka Murg (a special Hyderabadi meat preparation that is baked and seasoned with local spices and herbs), Biriyani (a saffron flavoured rice delicacy with chicken or mutton) and the vegetarian Dhai ke Chatni, as well as Mirchi ka Salan / Tomato Kut. Enjoy the tandoor-baked Indian breads such as Naan and Sher Mal on the side. For dessert, savour Kurbani ka Meeta, a delicacy made from dried apricosts and usually served at Hyderabadi weddings. Kindly note Ms. Khan’s residence does not serve alcohol and requires advance booking of a week. STAY: We recommend you stay at the Taj Falaknuma Palace or 'Mirror of the Sky'. After ten years of renovation, this is architectural opulence set within 32 acres of cascading gardens. Imagine outdoor terraces, Venetian chandeliers, grand marble staircases and objets d’art. Entirely built of Italian marble and shaped like a scorpion, Taj Falaknuma sits on a hill 2,000ft above and overlooking Hyderabad. Enjoy an 8 day, 7 night private, tailormade itinerary including a 5 night stay at Taj Falaknuma in Hyderabad and all the above activities for £2,135 per person. For more information and reservations call Enchanting Travels in the UK on: 0800 098 8486 or visit www.Enchanting-Travels.com NOTES TO EDITORS: Enchanting-Travels provide private, tailor-made trips that create unforgettable journeys to India, South America, Africa and Asia. There are four brands: Enchanting-India, Enchanting- Asia, Enchanting-Africa and Enchanting-South America. Founded in 2004 by two INSEAD MBA graduates who were on a mission to discover a better way to bring the world to India, the company now offers trips to 27 countries and has offices in Argentina, Germany, India, Kenya, Sri Lanka, USA and the UK. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Over 150 staff members from 15 nationalities in four continents are constantly on the search for the newest, most authentic and unusual travel experiences in some of the world's most enthralling locations. Both ABTA (membership no. Y2526) and ASTA (membership no. 900197410) assured, Enchanting-Travels tours, locations and transport partners are personally researched and tested, from the five-star palaces to a two-room home-stay. Given the personalized nature of our itineraries and dependent on season, prices of trips vary. Please contact us for further information to provide you full details of what is included in the itinerary quote above. Become our fan on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. .