Taj Mahal – India

Indus Travels is a premier travel company that offers the best tours to India, whether you are looking  for a budget tour up to deluxe.

In 1990, the company was first established in India then opened an office in Richmond, Canada, in 2001.  Indus Travels maintains a large staff in New Delhi to handle all ground operations.

Indus Travels has created a list of helpful India travel tips and trends.

1. Adrenaline Rushes in First Ever Ferrari Theme Park – On this ultimate new splurge package to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, travelers get to visit the world’s largest indoor theme park and enjoy an adrenaline rush on the fastest roller coaster on the planet, combined with the best hotels and feasts that will make them feel like a sheikh on vacation.

2. The Shopping Craze – Surveys have shown that shopping is the number one activity (female) travelers want to engage in on vacation, and shopping excursion to bustling bazaars in such colorful destinations as India and Nepal offer a multitude of treasures to be discovered, from hand-woven baskets and intricate wood carvings to fabulous jewelry made with precious stones (including diamonds, which are cut in exported from India) and paintings.

3. Fabulous Accommodations for Every Budget – Indus Travels offers a choice of three accommodation categories, from comfortable standard, to superior boutique hotels and high-end luxury resorts like Oberoi and Aman to match any budget.

4. High End Hotels in Iconic Places – From the Oberoi in Agra, offering the most splendid views of the famous Taj Mahal, to the Hotel Everest View in Nepal, the highest placed hotel in the world with stunning vistas of the world’s highest mountain, Mt. Everest, Asia is not short of luxurious accommodations with some of the most incredible views in the world.

5. Culinary Tours With Celebrity Chef – Indus Travels offers exquisite insights into the Indian cuisine on a trip with Vikram Vij, one of the best known Indian chefs in the Americas and author of two books, for all those that believe cuisine is a, if not the highlight of the destination. Culinary tours to Turkey are also available.

6. Cultural Immersion on Himalayan Experience Tour – Arguably Indus Travels’ most “out-of-the-box” tour, this custom trip through Northern India allows travelers to get deeply involved with the local culture through visits of local villages, temples, monasteries and markets as well as a stay at the incredibly gorgeous and remote Leti 360° resort, voted one of the best hotels in the world for three years running and a place that has to been seen to be believed.

7. Culture and Tiger Trekking in Nepal: A Different Approach – Indus Travels’ Nepal tours have a unique focus on the country’s fascinating culture and wildlife, such as tiger trekking in little visited Chitwan National Park on their “Naturally Nepal” tour, aspects other outfitters tend to neglect on their trekking trips.

8. Sri Lanka is Back! – After a troubled past, Sri Lanka is making a great comeback as one of the most diverse and alluring new destinations, with an incredible number of cultural and culinary treasures, soft adventure activities and wildlife excursions on offer. Indus Travels offers a variety of trips to the island state, such as “Best of Sri Lanka” and “Grand Sri Lanka”.

9. Evergreen With Exotic Spin: Family Travel – Intergenerational travel has been a buzz word for years, but what’s new is family’s desire to explore more exotic places like India and Nepal, for kids to learn about the world around them and everyone to expand their horizon while spending valuable time together.

10. Discover the “Royal Bhutan” – One of those “hidden secret destinations”, the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan fascinates travelers with its unique and well-protected culture, unspoilt nature and the best of the best in high-end accommodation, such as Aman, Uma and Taj on Indus Travels’ new custom journey “Explore Bhutan”.

11. Shorter Lead Times, More Intensive Experiences – Indus Travels has reported a huge increase in demand for out-of-the-ordinary travel experiences and cultural immersion of 60% over the previous year, which they accredit to global awareness and the travelers’ desire to discover “the real thing” on their trips. At the same time, they have observed a trend towards shorter booking periods, which have reduced from twelve to fifteen months, to now only three to six months in advance.

The Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, Mumbai

India has long been a mystery for travelers. A land of rich in history and culture. We wanted to give you the opportunity to explore India and share a list the Top 10 Hotels in India:

1)    Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur: bohemian crystals, ornate glass work, green lotus leaves and cusped arches all over, romance is in the air at Taj Lake Palace. Floating atop Lake Pichola on its four-acre island pedestal, this luxury palace hotel is the epitome of style, comfort and luxury. Besides being the most romantic inn in India, it is also the most expensive – the most basic bedroom option would set up back by Rs. 36, 000 while the Grand Presidential Suite a whopping Rs. 6 lakh! Sure you’re treated like a King but get your own throne!

Best for: Honeymoons

2)   Taj Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad: one of the finest palaces in Hyderabad, this hotel was formerly home to the Nizam of Hyderabad. In Urdu, Falak-numa literally means “Like the Sky” or “Mirror of the Sky”. The Jade collection in the Palace is truly unique in the world and the Falaknuma is a rare blend of Italian and Tudor architecture. Rs. 5 lakh a night (another bomb of a price!) for the Grand Presidential Suite.

Best for: Architectural marvel & to get a glimpse of the nizams’ affluent lifestyles

3)    The Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, Mumbai: This elegant 5-star hotel is located right next to the Gateway of India and is a landmark for every tourist in the city. Considered the flagship property of the Taj Group, the hotel fuses Moorish, Oriental and Florentine styles together. The Taj in Mumbai is best known to host guests like The Beatles, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Bill Clinton and more recently Michelle & Barack Obama. Fabulous dining options too.

Best for: Dining & Architecture

4)    The Leela Palace Kempinski, Udaipur: This lavish hotel offers breathtaking views of the Aravalli Mountains and opulence of an era gone by. Overlooking Lake Pichola, its luxurious ESPA tented spa is the perfect spot for some indulgence and relaxation. Expect only the finest service, facilities and accommodation options here.

Best for: Reckless Indulgence

5)    The Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur: is ranked the thirteenth best hotel in the world. Set in 32 acres of grounds outside Jaipur, this palace hotel has an incredible range of 71 luxury rooms, tents and villas with Burmese-teak floor and four-poster beds. A lot of work has gone in creating the ambiance of an ancient Rajasthani fort balanced beautifully with contemporary Italian designs.

Best for: Experiencing the grandeur of India’s royal Rajput past

6)    The Leela Palace Kempinksi, New Delhi: is the newest addition to Leela Hotel Group’s marvelous collection. The lobby offers stunning views of rare Indian artworks & the most exquisite display of flowers in sparkling crystal vases. All 260 -bedrooms are plush and the Maharaja Suite is endowed with bullet-proof windows; inspired by Edwin Lutyens, New Delhi’s architectural godfather. The menu’s unapologetically international and spa facilities, like the rest of the amenities, are top-notch!

Best for: Super-luxe fun in Delhi!

7)   Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra: Taking inspiration from Moorish and Mughal architectural styles, Oberoi Amarvilas offers a visual treat of terraced lawns, fountains, reflection pools and pavilions with rich interiors. And of course, unforgettable views of the Taj Mahal – right from your window!

Best for: The Splendid View of the Taj Mahal

8)    The Leela Palace Kempinski, Bangalore: perfectly reflects the lushness of the Garden City. Gold leaf domes, ornate ceiling and grand arches of the hotel are all inspired by the royal heritage of the Vijaynagar Dynasty. Sprinkled well with business essentials as well as holiday comforts, the hotel promises an exceptional experience always. Be prepared to rub shoulders with CEO’s (especially Biocon’s Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, a regular patron) from across the world here.

Best for: Business Visits

9)    The Oberoi, Mumbai: Gazing the Queen’s necklace is yet another luxurious property from the Oberoi group. Service is flawless, the luxury understated and very business-traveler friendly. With 333 rooms and suites, the Oberoi in also one of the most expensive with Deluxe Rooms at Rs. 25, 000 and Presedential Suites at around Rs. 3 lakh! Former US President, Bill Clinton, stayed here on his visit to India.

Best for: Cool Sophistication

10)    Taj Lands End, Mumbai: Situated in Bandra, the queen of the suburbs, the Lands End overlooks the Arabian Sea. First-rate dining options, business amenities and accommodation are offered with the same old-world Taj hospitality. Gorgeous style and great comfort!

Best for: Excessive treats and views of picturesque sunsets

Source –  BusinessReviewIndia

ITC Hotels is India’s most profitable chain with four brands in over 80 locations throughout India. The luxury ITC Mughal hotel has just opened an exclusive new wing, the Khwab Mahal – the Palace of Dreams.

Offering the finest amenities, the Khwab Mahal wing features 42 of ITC Mughal hotel’s most opulent rooms and suites.

This incredible wing is a fitting tribute to India’s most romantic monument, the enchanting Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal can be found just minutes from the ITC Mughal hotel and was built by Emperor Shah Jahan. Taj Mahal is a memorial to Emperor Shah Jahan’s beloved wife Mumtaz.

Some of major features of the new Khwab Mahal wing include the five Presidential Suites that cover over 2,091 sq. ft., offering luxurious indoor and outdoor living areas, grand four-poster beds, marble bathrooms, and spectacular interiors that capture the spirit of the Mughal dynasty with a contemporary spin.

Three Presidential Family Suites are named Nusrat Begum, Zeenat and Farzana after the Mughal Queens. Each of these Presidential Family Suites features an extra twin bedroom en-suite, to offer a truly private residence for families. In addition, the suites offer spacious outdoor area that’s complete with luxurious day beds, a private plunge pool and relaxing rain shower.

There are also two, luxurious Royal Spa Presidential Suites. They feature the hotel’s first in-suite spa treatment room with steam room and vichy shower, ideal for couples’ seeking a private experience from the wonderful Kaya Kalp – The Royal Spa.

By: Jay Hariani

It appears we have a new world record in the land of real estate. It’s been reported the world’s most expensive house has been built in Mumbai, India.

Mukesh Ambani is the world’s fourth richest man according to Forbes and the richest man in India.

This unbelievable new house, named Antilia has an estimated value of an eye-popping $1 billion !!!

The pricey building is 27 stories high (173 meters) and includes 37,000 square meters of floor space.

In addition to the living pace, this ultra-luxury new home features a health club with a a ballroom, a gym and dance studio, a minimum of one swimming pool, guestrooms, various lounges, in addition to an impressive 50-seat cinema.

If you’re worried about where to land your helicopter …. don’t. The swanky new luxurious digs has three helicopter pads located on the roof.

Parking also won’t be a problem. The property will include spaces for up to 160 vehicles.

Source: Guardian

Taj Mahal Hotel Tarq Restaurant

Hotel Tarq, Delhi’s newest fine dining Indian restaurant, opened August 1 at the Taj Mahal Hotel.

Varq is a modern Indian gourmet dining experience with authentic, artistic dishes created by Taj Corporate Chef Hemant Oberoi and paired with teas to enhance enjoyment of the dishes’ ingredients.

Varq is part of Chef Oberoi’s masala cuisine concept, which reinvents Indian food with new techniques, innovative plated presentations and organic produce and spices. Chef Oberoi is faithful to the diverse homemade Indian dishes, while evolving traditional Indian recipes for contemporary palates.

At Varq, he uses ingredients such as sea bass, diver’s scallops, foie gras, halibut, sand crab and Karachi prawns.

The very name, “Varq” which refers to the edible gold and silver foil traditionally used to embellish certain Indian sweets, rich biryanis and curries, calls to mind refinement and luxury.

Named for India’s exotic edible gold leaf, Varq seats 82 guests and includes a private dining room for 14. Interior designers Mario and Theo Nicolaou created a classic contemporary ambiance by using dark wood, creamy leather and gold textures.