Marieke's Art of Living

Alluring Exotic Incredible INDIA

No one knows or loves India better than we do after 15 years of exploring this grand, cacophonous, still mysterious but always enriching sub-continent.

We do and have done all of the following for many guests seeking the special and unusual:

	book the best rooms or suites in the Palaces and Heritage hotels where often we know the erstwhile royal owners who will welcome you. arrange transport in a gold Ambassador, the iconic and truly Indianised car that has been plying the roads for more than five decades or a ride on a grandly caparisoned elephant or a trip by an antique Royal Enfield Bullet, the legendary Indian motor cycle, backed up with your own mechanic and support jeep. command an elephant polo game for your party on the grounds of Rambagh Palace or on camels in the Thar desert.
	open the jewel boxes of royalty or arrange an invitation for you to dine with them in their private palace quarters. explain, because we know, the distances between towns and the conditions of roads you might have to travel, so you are always comfortable and travelling at your chosen pace. inform you where it’s worth spending a night or spending a week. advise you on where the best tented camps are, those who run the best wildlife lodges, the best rafting trips, the most authentic ayurvedic or yoga retreats.
	send foot messengers to the outskirts of Jaisalmer to invite Langas or Manganiars to sing at your party with their soaring Sufi Vocals, driving percussion, sounds of desert strings ,flutes and snake charming pipes to make a majestic and unforgettable desert experience. arrange trips to the least explored parts of India giving you access to the Old Hindustan Tibet road in the north-east quarter of Himachal Pradesh redolent with Buddhist and Hindu cultures, where time has stood still.
	organize permits if you wish to land in your own jet, the best tailors to stitch up an exotic outfit, the best jewellers to custom make a masterpiece.
	And more……..
	We have arranged trips for romantic couples, for small groups with great cultural inquisitiveness, for corporate giants seeking discretion and privacy, for business travellers seeking to add a few a days to unwind after work, and for people wishing to mark a special celebration with feasting and parties for 12 or 200 friends for 2 days or for 2 weeks. To Discuss Your Special Personalised Request or To Plan Your Event Contact Us>

What Guests Have Said about Our Trip Planning:

"Dear Marieke,

Where do I begin?

I am not nearly eloquent enough to find the words to do justice to all we felt and saw. The ad slogan "Incredible India" really sums it up. In the true sense of the word - it's so hard to comprehend that in 2006 people still live the lives they do in villages like the one below the Devi Garh.

We absolutely loved every minute of our time both inside and outside the hotels, whether it was walking around Udaipur town, exploring the Palace, yoga in the beautiful grounds of the Udaivilas.... I could go on and on and it was only 5 days!

Our arrival to Bombay was seamless. We went for lunch to the Grand Hyatt and had thalis which were perfect. We then fell asleep by the pool for 2 hours and went back to the airport for our flight to Udaipur.

We arrived at night as you know, and were picked up by car and then rather than drive the whole way, we were taken by boat for the last part of the trip. Imagine arriving at night by boat to a place as serene and majestic as the Udaivilas.

The guide who took us around the Palace the next day was a gentleman. He was genuinely proud of his city and its treasures. His motto was "Expect the unexpected!"

Dinner in the hotel, outside by the lake was a treat and the two meals we had outside the hotel were also pretty great, yet so different.

Devi Garh was incredible. The drive through the villages and seeing the temple on the way was wonderful.

It is, as you said, very different to a place like Udaivilas and I'm so pleased we went. I had my best dinner there, in the bar, lounging on those magnificent beds.

After dinner we watched "Ghandi" while sipping Masala tea in bed! It felt so decadent.

We managed to spend almost 8 hours on the streets of Bombay, our first stop being Ghandi's house!

In all, I took over 300 photos and even the ones from the moving car or tuk tuk are so colourful and beautiful.

Marieke, we loved our time so much and are already planning our return.

Thank you so much for such a special few days."

Sharon and Allan Vidor