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Agra Fort is a masterpiece of Mughal architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site near the Taj Mahal in Agra, India. Behind imposing red sandstone walls, Agra Fort is a vast complex of lavishly decorated palaces, courtyards, halls and mosques.
India’s ancient stepwells are incredible architectural monuments of varying shapes, sizes, and ornamentation that once played a vital role in community life. One of our favorite stepwells is just outside Jaipur, Rajasthan, near the renowned Amber Fort.
Synonymous with the Golden Age of travel, luxury train journeys evoke the romance of a bygone era in a way that few other experiences do. Read more about our favorite luxury train journeys that we can incorporate into our customized private tours around the world.
Artisan of Leisure travel specialist Sashie MacNaughton shares her unique insider perspective on family travel in Asia.
One of the most iconic landmarks in Jaipur, India, is the ornate Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds). Artisans of Leisure arranges for our travelers to admire the renowned exterior of the Hawa Mahal and can include a visit to the interior as a part of our private tours of the City Palace.
The iconic Taj Mahal is a must-visit for travelers in India. Artisans of Leisure arranges private tours of the Taj Mahal and other sites in Agra.
Many travelers are surprised to find that India has one of the largest concentrations of Art Deco in the world. One of the most spectacular representations of Art Deco in India is the legendary Umaid Bhawan Palace in the heart of Rajasthan.
With views of the Taj Mahal from every room, exquisite interiors and lush gardens, the luxurious Oberoi Amarvilas is a must for travelers to Agra in India.
Anyone walking near Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji (a.k.a Victoria) Terminus, the elaborate, UNESCO World Heritage Site Victorian Gothic train station, at midday might wonder who all of those delivery men in white caps are and why they’re sorting metal containers wrapped in colored bags on the sidewalk. The answer is they are dabbawallas, part of the […]
Udaipur, a city in Rajasthan, India, has a long history and tradition of beautiful decorative arts. One of the best places to appreciate the many local styles and techniques in Udaipur is at the City Palace. Over the centuries, local maharanas (princes) brought the most skilled craftsmen to decorate the palace with intricate carvings, detailed […]
For travelers looking to go off the beaten track in India without sacrificing luxury, Artisans of Leisure can arrange in-depth cultural and nature experiences in Ladakh, a beautiful region in northern India with rugged landscapes, living Buddhist culture and rural villages hemmed in by the high peaks of the Himalaya and Karakoram mountains. This Tibetan-inflected […]
Artisans of Leisure’s new Culinary Tour of India features private cooking classes in locations throughout India. These hands-on classes are a fun and delicious introduction to Indian cooking, and a great way to learn about Indian food culture and culinary history. We recently experienced a cooking lesson in Chennai that is included in our culinary tour. […]
For travelers interested in decorative arts, the spectacular Juna Mahal (“Old Palace”) in Rajasthan, India is sure to be a highlight of touring in the region. Built in the 13th century for an aristocratic family, the Juna Mahal was expanded over the centuries, finally reaching seven stories. The last residents of the palace moved out […]
Artisans of Leisure clients recently returned from a private luxury tour of India and Bhutan and kindly offered to share their pictures with us. See highlights of their trip, including Udaipur, Jaipur and Jodhpur in India, and Paro, Thimphu and Punakha in Bhutan.
Enjoy photos of Nepal (Kathmandu, the Kathmandu Valley, Pokhara and Chitwan National Park) and India (Delhi, Varanasi and Panna National Park) in this blog.
Artisans of Leisure travel specialist, Stephanie, tells us how she has been lucky to be able to combine her twin passions–birding and travel–since she was a child. Q: When and how did you become interested in birding? A: My mom has been birding forever, and she would take me along with her when I was […]
When taking a luxury cruise, a great way to make the most of your time in ports of call is with private shore excursions and private overland tours. Artisans of Leisure has a vast network of expert guides and drivers in cruise destinations around the world, and we work with sophisticated travelers to customize private […]
An endlessly fascinating spectacle of ritual activity unfolds daily in Varanasi (Benares), one of the most sacred places in Hinduism and one of the oldest cities in the world.
We recently met up with Robyn Bickford at the Amanbagh, one of our preferred luxury resorts in Rajasthan, India. She and her husband, Manav, are the renowned general managers of this exquisite property. Q: We love the Amanbagh and always try to include it in the tours we design for our clients visiting India. What […]
We highly recommend spending several days touring Nepal, in the Himalayas, when visiting nearby countries such as India or Bhutan. Many of the flights from India to Bhutan make stops in Nepal, making it an ideal time to spend a few days en route. We love the relaxed feel of Kathmandu and the beautiful valleys […]
Many travelers ask us to incorporate people, places and activities of Jewish significance when they are traveling internationally with us. We can incorporate Jewish touring into any of our tours around the world, from Sydney to Shanghai and most places in between. Many travelers simply want us to incorporate some Jewish-related sightseeing in Europe, Asia, […]
India is one of the best destinations for philanthropic travel, and many travelers ask us how they can contribute to local communities while touring India. It is very easy for us to incorporate philanthropic experiences into any of our private India tours–these experiences make travel in India that much more meaningful, and we consistently hear […]
Until you see Agra’s Taj Mahal in person, it’s hard to imagine how impossibly beautiful a building can be. The classic images we know of this iconic structure seem to convey a stark white marble exterior, but upon closer examination you can see that the Taj Mahal is actually adorned with colorful inlaid semi-precious stones in intricate […]
When in Delhi, we always recommend making the time to visit the Lodhi Gardens. A favorite of affluent residents in New Delhi, the gardens are a peaceful oasis and a favorite spot to do yoga, have a picnic lunch, or read a book. There are incredible 15th century ruins scattered throughout the gardens. Our private […]
The Amanbagh resort in Rajasthan has its own lentil artist, and he is seen here making a tiger out of different colored lentils for the New Year’s celebration in the resort’s courtyard. Such tedious work considering that someone inevitably walks through it! Every day at Amanbagh I saw something like this that I hadn’t noticed […]
Nadesar Palace is our favorite place to stay in the holy city of Varanasi, a top cultural destination in India.
Highlights from our most recent tour of India, including the best of Agra and the Taj Mahal, Varanasi, Delhi, Kerala, Mumbai and Udaipur.
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