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Suggested Reading
  • Holy Cow: An Indian Adventure by Sarah MacDonald
  • The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy
  • Travels Through Sacred India by Roger Housden
  • Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie
  • India: A History by John Keay
  • Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri
  • The Mango Season by Amulya Malladi
  • Dreaming in Hindi by Katherine Russell Rich
  • Travelers' Tales India: True Stories
  • Customs and Etiquette of India by Venika Kingsland
  • Little India: www.littleindia.com
  • Movie Recommendations
  • BBC Documentary Series: The Story of India
  • Gandhi
  • Lagaan
  • Monsoon Wedding
  • Earth: 1947
  • Bride and Prejudice
  • Slumdog Millionaire
  • Water
  • Bombay
  • Categories

    Archive for the ‘Himalayas’ Category

    Recently, Trip Advisor posted the Traveler’s Choice Awards Top 25 Destinations in India. I particularly love reviewing an award list when selected by everyday travelers. Admittedly, I expected to see a few of the destinations, including #2 Varanasi, #9 Jaipur, #12 Udaipur, and #16 Goa. However, I was pleasantly surprised to see #3 Manali, #11 Hampi, #15 Shimla, and #25 Kodaikanal.

    The #1 destination was Leh, the capital of Ladakh. And so it seems this hidden treasure is now becoming a popular haven for travelers! Back in 2009, I wrote about Leh’s untouched splendor in Destination: Ladakh. Over the past couple years, we have seen quite a surge in the interest to experience this remote region in Jammu and Kashmir.

    I was also happy to see Darjeeling awarded as the #4 destination. Many travelers are quite familiar with the Darjeeling tea varieties but seldom include a visit to this Himalayan region that blends Indian, Tibetan, Nepali, and Bengali traditions. I have discussed the attractions of Darjeeling in many of our posts, and our Eastern Odyssey tour is featured in our most recent video, An Indian Experience.

    One year from now, I will be interested to review the 2012 awarded destinations and compare the trends of travelers worldwide!

    Only one week remains to reserve our Ananda Ayurvedic Spa package and save $300 per couple!

    Ananda Spa

    Ananda is a world class destination spa located in the foothills of the Himalayas. Among its many accolades, Ananda was awarded the World’s Number One Destination Spa for three consecutive years and listed on Top 10 Worldwide Yoga Retreats. The 21,000 square foot spa offers an exceptional variety of over 80 body and beauty treatments, yoga, and spiritual fitness. Ananda also features rooms, villas and suites that have been infused with natural Himalayan light and overlook the Ganges River, majestic mountains and the sacred city of Rishikesh. Clearly stated, Ananda’s mission is to Energize your Body, Restore your Mind and Calm your Soul.

    Jasmine, a Sodha Traveler who visited Ananda earlier this year, said it was “more than a spa. The facilities were exceptional, the cuisine was amazing, and I left feeling absolutely rejuvenated. I would love to return every year to that sense of peace and relaxation and I cannot say enough wonderful things about my experience.”

    And remember: Reserve this package in the month of April and receive $300 off per couple!