Rick Stein loves Kerala

We hope you are watching and enjoying the ‘Rick Stein’s India’ programmes on BBC 2 (Mondays at 9pm).  This week he was in South India - Madurai, Cochin, Backwaters.  We note that the BBC is very careful not to name or even film the outside of the well known hotels (although they do feature the tiny and very basic restaurants) - but we can tell you that the chef he worked with in Cochin was from Brunton Boatyard.  What is really nice about this series is that not only does it give you some great recipes to try but Rick Stein clearly loves India and the people.   The series is six programmes long - if you missed the first three we recommend you catch up with them on BBC iPlayer. 

Neeleshwar wins Award

Neeleshwar Hermitage - one of our customers' favourite hotels in North Kerala - has just announced that it won the award for 'The Best Health and Rejuvenation Resort in India 2013' by the CNBC TRAVEL AWARDS. 

We don’t normally brag but…

We are aware that many of our competitors state that they are the biggest…, best…, leading…. We do not make claims that cannot be substantiated - but we have just been informed of facts that show we are the leading tour operator in our field. 

CGH Earth (the extremely popular hotel group) tell us that if they do not include in the figures their two long stay hotels (Kalari Kovalam – Ayurveda and Swaswara – life style) we gave them the most business (in terms of room nights) of all Foreign Tour Operators last season.  Even if they add the two long stay hotels (which we don’t use often as it is not really our market) we came second!  When you consider that there are some very large India specialists in the UK (and no doubt in other countries too) we feel very proud that we are generating the most bookings for this excellent hotel group. 

Cost of Indian Visa increases by £50

We are sorry to report that at very short notice it has been announced that the cost of the Indian visa will rise from £32 to £82.  On top of that is the £10.20 fee so a six month tourist will now cost £92.20.  The increased price is applicable from Thursday 17 January 2013.

A Good Read

Back in 2010 Gary travelled on the Golden Chariot train (his diary of his time on the train can be found below).  One of the other travellers on the train was an author (Monisha Rajesh) who was writing a book about train travel in India.  We are pleased to report that book (called AROUND INDIA IN 80 TRAINS) is now out and it has been extremely well received both by the critics and the public (including our customers).  We recommend this book – particularly if you are planning a trip to India that includes some train travel.

Slum Tour wins Award

We are delighted to report that Reality Tours and Travel, the organisers of Mumbai’s Dharavi Slum Tour is the overall winner of the 2012 Responsible Tourism Awards.  The judges were really impressed by their integrated approach, using tourism to raise awareness of the reality of slum life and their educational programmes.  Many of our customers visiting Mumbai have taken this tour and found it fascinating.  If you are visiting Mumbai and are interested please ask us.  For more information about the tour – speak to Gary who experienced the tour fairly recently.  

‘Tiger Ban’ lifted

On Tuesday (16 Oct) the Supreme Court of India lifted the temporary ban on visiting the core areas of India’s National Parks.  There will be new rules and regulations governing the movements of tourists in the National Parks and this is still under discussion – but an increase in cost - both to stay in resorts and lodges and entry fee is to be expected.  But at least if you have booked a holiday to India to include one or more of the National Parks/Wildlife Sanctuaries you can now expect to be allowed in!