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Polo and Peacocks: British Polo Day in Jodhpur
Ampersand's Travels...
Welcome to Ampersand's travel blog. This is where you'll find out all the latest goings on from our travels across Asia, the Far East, and Southern Africa.
Our motto is that luxury is in the experience: watching tigers padding through the Kanha jungle in the company of an expert guide; camping out under the Ladakh stars wrapped in cashmere blankets; exploring the art galleries and fine dining restaurants in Cape Town... these are the things we adore.
All over Asia and Southern Africa – from Bhutan to Bali, Cape Town to Victoria Falls – we know the most charming privately-owned hotels, the best secret beaches, the prettiest temples, and the most exclusive safari trails in the untouched wilderness. Our Little Black Book contains the best textile buffs, the keenest foodies, the wittiest maharajas, the most expert guides and the loveliest spots to drink champagne in the moonlight.
But what we love most of all is revealing these treasures to our clients. In our blog we hope to inspire and inform you by providing the latest travel news, hotel openings and luxury holiday ideas across Asia, the Far East, and Southern Africa.
Little Black Book: Discover the Pink City – Jaipur
The fabled city of Jaipur, rose-pink capital of Rajasthan, has been busy captivating travellers to the subcontinent for centuries, not least for its unrivalled collection of shopping and dining destinations. Join us on a magic carpet ride through some of our insider places to discover Jaipur’s thriving design scene...
Dining with the Nawabs: A Culinary Tale of two Countries
‘Dining with the Nawabs’ reveals a glimpse into the present-day lives of the rulers of India. An exquisitely produced book which profiles several Muslim royal families across India and Pakistan through their culinary traditions of Indian cuisine. Author Meera Ali, is herself married to the Raja of Kotwara, and uses her insider access to give us a rare seat at the tables of princely families of the subcontinent…
Christmas & New Year Escapes in India & Sri Lanka
Christmas is nearly upon us and we are dreaming of the most exotic experiences in India and Sri Lanka; rich in wonderful destinations for the ultimate festive celebrations. With charming seasonal traditions, decorations and firecrackers at dawn, it’s hard not to enter into the spirit of Christmas…
Heritage & Hindustan: Nathdwara, A Divine Art Form
They say a picture describes a thousand words, and to the artists of the Hindu temple town of Nathdwara, art has been a traditional way of depicting sacred imagery of gods to countless illiterate worshippers over the centuries…
A Healing Land – Ayurveda in India
The term Ayurveda literally means life knowledge in Sanskrit, and Ayurvedic medicine, as practiced throughout India, is one of the oldest known medicines, being passed down the generations for over 2,000 years. Here we explore one of the oldest medical theories and the ancient wisdom behind it…
India Design Pavilion launched at the 10th Anniversary of London Design Festival
The annual London Design Festival brings together creative talent from across the globe. For the first time this year, emerging Indian design talents were also given a platform, and the Old Truman Brewery in Shoreditch was the site for ‘This is India’ Pavilion…
Lucknow – The City of Illusions & Princes
Dotted with British Raj–era buildings, home to two superb mausoleums and a fabulous culinary and arts scene, Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh caters well to history buffs, without attracting the hordes of tourists. We speak to Muzaffar Ali, Raja of Kotwara about Lucknow’s reputation as a city of culture...
David’s Shooting Star: Jews of Mumbai
India has ebbed and flowed with a kaleidoscope of races since time began and within this, the little-known Jewish community have a long and captivating story to tell. Their charming legacy, distinctly Levantine but infused with local colours, has been woven into Mumbai’s metropolis which was once a Jewish haven under British colonial rule...
Aurangabad: The gateway to India’s ancient treasures
Aurangabad gives the impression of being a rather unremarkable destination; a bustling city surrounded by hot and dusty arid land. How looks can be deceptive! Aurangabad is the base from which to explore many of India’s ancient treasures – the famous Ellora and Ajanta Caves and the mighty Daulatabad Fort...
