Art & Culture of Northern India Study Tour from 12/25/06 to 01/06/07

Comments of participants

North India and Nepal Tour 2008:

Our India tour operator’s representative was great! He was very accommodating and helpful. The guides were wonderful. Really enjoyed our guide in Varanasi and Nepal. We really enjoyed the transportation by private car. Enjoyed the Muse & Taj View hotels in India and the Hyatt hotel in Nepal. The Mount Everest flight was awesome. I just wanted to thank you for setting up our wonderful trip! We had an amazing time and enjoyed all our places we visited! Thanks again so much!

 Cheryl & Karen R. and Patricia G. -

As I look over our photos, I’m reminded of the diverse two weeks we had in India. Thanks to you both for making it all possible. The visits to the gardens and museums; the walks around the historic sites; and the nights at wonderful heritage hotels. Also you had us sample the various ways of getting around – bus, boat, jeep, train, elephant, and (by far the most fun) Ox Cart! Each day was filled with something new to see and learn. Thank you again for the memorable, incredible India Tour. Mary F. M. & Paul O.

 Thanks so much for the all your hard work in making the India Trip happen. It was an amazing experience! I also want to say thanks especially for making Tamela’s birthday such a gala event. That was very special.  Thanks again. Nice Coach, fast driver. Autumn S. L.

 India was fantastic! I want to thank you both, and Mukul, for making this a memorable life experience. You three make quite a team and add to that Dara (the bus driver) and Kalu (bus driver’s assistant). I doubt that more than a few people would have seen and done as much as we did in so short a time. Brij, your love for India was palpable. I appreciate your and Joan’s efforts for making India alive for me. The Taj Mahal Hotel in Delhi exceeded my expectations. After Taj Mahal Hotel, my second favorite hotel was Deogarh Palace. I loved meeting the owners and the intricate maze of passageways, the views and the general ambience. A highlight for me: horseback riding with Joan, out in the countryside and through small village near Devgarh, that was special. Kaye B. C.

 The reception at the airport on arrival in New Delhi was very nice – we were met by Mukul and each of us presented with a long stemmed rose. The air-conditioned coach driver was excellent and several times had a cheering ovation. His assistant was also more than helpful. The Taj Mahal Hotel in New Delhi was quite the most luxurious hotel in which I have ever stayed. What a treat for two nights! All local guides were knowledgeable – an asset and valuable part of the tour. Our visit to India was an incredible and awesome experience. India is quite the most intriguing country I have ever visited. To start with I would like say that the tour was wonderful and far exceeded my expectations. I do want to thank you so much for all the thought and effort that was put into it to make it such a memorable experience for all of us. Diana K.

 The reception at the airport on arrival in New Delhi was excellent. Mukul met us and had every thing. The coach driver was excellent and the coach was comfortable. The Taj Mahal Hotel in Delhi exceeded my expectation. Everything was fabulous – the accommodation, service and facility. Deogarh Palace – great sense of history permeates the facility. It was a real treat to have a sit down lunch (outstanding meal) at the Lake Palace Hotel in Udaipur. Enjoyed the cultural performance very much, especially the dance troop at the Zoroastrian Fire Temple and Dr. Sharma, the Sitar/Music teacher and her troop (guitar, drummer and the small sitar). All guides met our expectations. Would say that Devinder in Jaipur (Amber Palace Tour) was outstanding. I enjoyed the visit to India immensely and would recommend to my friends, would consider visiting another region of India. Lauren C.

 At the airport we were directed to the coach, which was easily identified and boarded with assistance as needed. The driver and coach were excellent. The Taj Mahal Hotel in New Delhi was excellent, in fact it exceeded our expectations. Deogarh Palace was fascinating, I enjoyed walking down the village streets. The India study tour was certainly very educational. It makes one realize how others live. There are certainly many levels of hospitality in India and the country needs to help its poorer citizens. Robert K.

 The driver was great, very nice and the service was A+ and the bus was good. What can you say about the “Taj Mahal Hotel” in Delhi – the place is beautiful – I could have stayed all week there!! The meals at restaurants were great, enjoyed the restaurants and the service! I enjoyed the India Study Tour very much!! Would have liked to spend more time in each hotel. Carla M.

 I will always have wonderful memories of India because of you. Thank you for showing me a new culture and a better understanding for my Indian students in my art classes. The Taj Mahal Hotel in Delhi exceeded my expectations. I loved the Devgarh Palace Hotel the best. All meals were delicious and the service was great. My most memorable experience e in India was the journey to Amber Fort. We had taken planes, trains, busses, taxis, boats and oxen driven carts to get to and around India. But in Amber, we sat tall on platforms on top of elephant’s backs. Swaying from side to side, the strength and massiveness of these animals was felt with every step. Gently and quietly these large animals ascended to the Amber Fort and I, for one, felt humbled by their grace. India is place that I will remember, however, for its heart. I was thrilled to see the Taj Mahal for its architectural design but more amazed that this building was not a palace but a mausoleum for one person, the emperor’s queen. This is a real love story. It was worth waiting to see it and appreciate its lore. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to India. I would consider another region. All in all, the trip was more than I expected – it was incredible. Thank you. Judith L.

 We felt welcomed in India on arrival at airport in New Delhi. The bus driver was great. The Taj Mahal Hotel in New Delhi was memorable. Hotel Carlson in Jaipur was excellent. With the meals in restaurants we got a good taste of India. The musical entertainment was fun. Each guide was familiar with their area. It was a great, well organized. Larry and Kay L.