SPRING 2008
- Rome & Florence
- Paris Highlights
- Essence of India
- Sensational Spain
- China & Yangtze River Cruise
- Copenhagen & Stockholm
- Danube River Cruise with Vienna & Regensburg
- Ireland, Best of Dublin & Belfast
- South Africa

FALL 2008
- Croatia & Venetian Treasures
- Ireland
- Treasures of Italy
- Italian Riviera & Tuscany
- Swiss Alps & Salzburg
- Beijing, China
- Dubai


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8000 West 78th Street
Suite 345
Minneapolis, MN 55439
952-918-8950 or
800-842-9023

INDIA

It has been said that if there is one place on the face of earth where all the dreams of living men have found a home...it is India.

Go where you'll experience the world's largest democracy set amidst a history of emperors and maharajas. Travel India's Golden Triangle, through exotic Indian landscapes rich with history and tradition. A place of magnificent palaces and temples, mosques and forts. Where the city of Agra is home to one of the world's most exquisite treasures-the Taj Mahal. Gaze in awe as you watch the sunrise turn it watermelon pink. Go where the intrigue of Delhi is in the ancient and the modern, where skyscrapers tower over rickshaws. Travel wide boulevards past architectural marvels of new India, wind your way through age old crowded bazaars, where if you peer through a portico you may see a man getting shaved, silver being weighed, a rug being woven. Go where the city of Jaipur bursts upon you with a kaleidoscope of color and sound. Where buildings have names like the "Palace of the Winds," and the shopping is heavenly: fabulous textiles, intricate jewelry, stonework, carpets and so much more.

April 17 - 26, 2008
April 29 - May 8, 2008

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A SIGN-UP FORM

From$3,199
INCLUDES AIRFARE
 
PRICE INCLUDES AIRFARE FROM:
Chicago

INCLUDED FEATURES

  • Round-trip transatlantic air transportation to Delhi, India
  • Round-trip transfers between the airport and hotel via deluxe motor coach
  • 7 nights superior first-class hotel accommodations: 2 nights Delhi;
    2 nights Agra; 3 nights Jaipur
  • 14 meals: 7 Breakfasts (B), 7 Dinners (D) as specified in the itinerary
  • Included sightseeing as specified in the itinerary
  • Services of a professional travel director throughout
  • Local government and hotel taxes
  • Complete luggage handling and related tipping
  • Complete pre-flight information

FOR YOUR VISA
APPLICATION VISIT:

http://www.indian-visa.com/expedite/application/form

 



Accommodations: India


Le Meridien New Delhi
The hotel stands amidst lush green gardens and foliage located in a highly enviable location near the Presidential Palace, Parliament House, and Connaught Place, one of the most popular shopping and entertainment districts in New Delhi. The hotelÕs exquisitely designed guest rooms offer breathtaking views and every possible convenience for your comfort, including satellite TV, minibar, tea and coffee-making facilities, and safe. Complete with pools, state-of-the-art fitness club, restaurants and cafes, the guest rooms and public areas create an inviting ambiance for you to experience and enjoy.

Trident Hilton Agra
Set amidst beautiful gardens, the Trident Hilton Agra is only a few minutes away from the famous Taj Mahal. The hotel is built of the red stone reminiscent of the Mughal era, designed around a landscaped central courtyard with swimming pool and fountains. The attractively furnished rooms decorated in rich, warm tones with original artwork, feature a minibar, tea and coffee-making facilities, satellite TV and a safe. The La Brasserie restaurant offers both a buffet as well as an a la carte menu, and the friendly atmosphere of Le Bar is a perfect place for relaxing.

Trident Hilton Jaipur
Situated en route to Jaipur's renowned Amber Fort, the Trident Hilton Jaipur looks out onto the scenic Mansagar Lake and the picturesque Aravalli ranges. Elegantly furnished, the spacious rooms are equipped with minibars, complimentary tea and coffee-making facilities, satellite television, and a balcony (jharokha). Relax at the hotel restaurant that offers both Continental and Indian cuisine or enjoy a lap or two in the swimming pool. Pick up a souvenir in the hotel gift shop or sit back and enjoy the view from the Mansagar Bar and Terrace overlooking the lake and Aravalli mountains.

 

Itinerary: India

DAY 1 U.S.A. - Delhi. Depart Chicago for Delhi, India.
DAY 2 Delhi. Arrive late in the evening in Delhi, India's capital, a city of fascinating contrasts. You will be met and transferred to your hotel. Radisson Hotel Delhi or similar.
DAY 3 Delhi. After breakfast, take a rickshaw ride through Old Delhi. See the Red Fort, an opulent palace from the Mughal Empire. Travel through narrow lanes and colorful bazaars on your way to visit Raj Ghat, the memorial site of Mahatma Gandhi, and Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India. Explore Chandni Chowk, the bustling market of the old city. In the afternoon tour New Delhi, designed and built by the British in the 1920's, a city of palatial-sized buildings set on broad tree-lined avenues with fabulous Mughal style gardens. Travel the ceremonial avenue, Rajpath, past Parliament House and the imposing India Gate. Visit Humayun's Tomb and the towering Qutub Minar, both World Heritage Sites and significant monuments to Delhi's past. Radisson Hotel Delhi or similar. (B, D)
DAY 4 Delhi - Agra. After breakfast, travel to Agra and check into your hotel. ¥ In the afternoon visit that magnificent monument to love, the Taj Mahal, built by an emperor in memory of his beloved queen. Revel in its perfect proportions and distinct femininity, enjoy the intrigue of its past. It is said the architect was blinded and his hands cut off so he would never be able to duplicate his brilliant creation. Set amidst its paradisiacal garden, the Taj Mahal is a sight like no other. Trident Hilton Agra or similar. (B, D)
DAY 5 Agra. Take an optional early morning visit to the Taj Mahal at sunrise and witness the famous Taj glow in the changing light of the rising sun. (This is an additional cost but well worth it.) After breakfast enjoy an excursion to Fatehpur Sikri. The architectural grandeur of this imperial city is beyond words. Ponder the mysterious desertion of this capital city that dates from the 16th century, dramatically abandoned just years after it was built. Continue to the massive Agra Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and explore the chambers of this fascinating royal residence. Trident Hilton Agra or similar. (B, D)

DAY 6 Agra - Jaipur. After breakfast, drive to Jaipur and check into your hotel. Afternoon at leisure. Trident Hilton Jaipur or similar.(B, D)
DAY 7 JAIPUR. Take a jeep ride up to Amber Fort, a marvelous example of Rajput design reflected beautifully in the Maota Lake below. Once inside see the magnificent royal halls decorated with intricate ivory, mirrors, glass work and exquisite wall paintings. Spend the afternoon in the "Pink City," Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. Drive through the old part of town and take in a kaleidoscope of color and sound. Jaipur is one of the main centers for shopping in India, offering gorgeous textiles, jewelry, stone work, rugs and much more. Trident Hilton Jaipur or similar. (B, D)
DAY 8 Jaipur. After breakfast, venture back into the city. Visit the City Palace Museum resplendent with its array of royal prince's robes, carpets, old weapons and collection of miniature paintings portraying court life. See the awe inspiring Jantar Mantar, an accurate observatory built in 1726. Take advantage of a photo visit at the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds), a five storied wonder with a spectacular facade of overhanging windows, latticed screens, domes and spires. An optional Elephant Safari this afternoon provides a rare opportunity to see rural Indian landscapes from the back of an elephant. Take in the beautiful countryside scenery of Jaipur and get a glimpse into the lifestyle of its villagers. All atop India's most famous beasts, a once in a lifetime experience. Trident Hilton Jaipur or similar. (B, D)
DAY 9 Jaipur - Delhi - U.S.A. Morning at leisure. In the afternoon, travel to Delhi, followed by dinner. Transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B, D) Travelers on the optional extension to Varanasi and Kathmandu fly to Delhi in the morning, to connect with a flight to Varanasi.
DAY 10 Arrive at your home city.

Optional Extension
Varanasi, India & Kathmandu, Nepal

Limited Space - Book Now! $1,499 Double Occupancy

Day 9 Jaipur - Delhi - Varanasi. This morning, fly to Delhi and connect with your flight to Varanasi, one of the world's oldest living cities. Transfer to your hotel. Visit Sarnath, considered the birth place of Buddhism. Its museum is considered one of the most important in India, home to a marvelous collection of sculptures dating from the 3rd century BC. Radisson or similar. (B, D)
Day 10 Varanasi - Kathmandu. Begin the day with a sunrise boat cruise on the sacred River Ganges . Watch Varanasi come alive along the banks of the river, as people bath in the holy water and worship the rising sun. Take a brief tour of Varanasi and experience the heady atmosphere of this city of no less than 2000 temples. See marriage and funeral processions, cows grabbing big flower necklaces destined for the gods, and visit some of Varanasi's most intriguing and famous temples. This afternoon fly to Kathmandu, Nepal and check into your hotel. Hyatt Regency or similar. (B, D).
Day 11 Kathmandu. Embark on a morning tour of Kathmandu city, the capital of Nepal. Drive to the central Durbar Square, surrounded by numerous old temples and the Hanuman Dhoka, the ancient royal palace. See the House of the Living Goddess, Kumari Bahal and other temples. Journey to Patan, known as the "City of Grace and Fine Arts," a place of beautiful art and architecture. Visit the sky piercing temple of the Teleju and the Statue of Yogendra Malla. Hyatt Regency or similar. (B, D)

Day 12 Kathmandu. Enjoy the morning visiting the ancient city of Bhadgaon, the Hindu temple Pashupatinath and the Buddhist stupa, Bodhnath. In Bhadgaon, you'll feel the intrigue of its history in the medieval art and architecture. The main square contains architectural showpieces such as the Lion Gate and the Palace of Fifty-Five Windows. Visit one of the largest stupas in the world, Bodhnath, a very important Tibetan Buddhist monument and then on to the Pashupatinath Temple, one of the holiest Hindu shrines in the world. Afternoon at leisure. Hyatt Regency or similar. (B, D)
Day 13 Kathmandu - Delhi - U.S.A. Morning at leisure. In the afternoon fly to Delhi. Enjoy a farewell dinner, then transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B, D)
Day 14 Arrive back in your home city.

INCLUDED FEATURES

  • Air transportation between Delhi, Varanasi, India, and Kathmandu, Nepal
  • 4 nights superior first-class hotel accommodations: 1 night Varanasi;
    3 nights Kathmandu
  • 10 meals: 5 Breakfasts (B),
    5 Dinners (D) as specified in the itinerary
  • Transfers and sightseeing as
    specified in the itinerary
  • Services of a professional travel director
  • Local government and hotel taxes
  • Complete luggage handling and related tipping
  • Complete pre-flight information