Jewish Heritage Tour -23-3-11 Heritage T… · Heritage but also to enjoy the best highlights of...

13 Nights & 14 Days Jewish Heritage Tour – Mumbai & Kerala

CONTENTS:

DETAILED TOUR ITINERARY

ABOUT THE ACCOMMODATION

HOLIDAY PRICE, TERMS & CONDITIONS

GENERAL TRAVEL INFORMATION

WHY TRAVEL WITH US


MAIN TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Jewish Heritage Tour including the best highlights of Mumbai & Kerala.

• Visit Jewish highlights including the many synagogu es in Mumbai.

• Sightseeing of Mumbai including all major highlight s.

• Stay in the Port town of Cochin in Kerala

• Stay in a 200 year old boutique hotel, originally o wned by a prominent Jewish Gentleman that follows Jewish trad itions including celebrating Hanukkah.

• Visit Jewish synagogues and places of importance to Jews in Cochin including the famous Jew Street.

• Overnight stay in a Houseboat on the backwaters.

• Stay in a Backwater resort rated as one of the 25 b est getaways by Conde Naste Traveller.

• Elephant Rides and Spice Plantation Tours.

• Stay in a Wildlife resort.

• Complimentary full body Ayurveda massage.

• Cookery demonstration.

• Stay in a Beach resort.

• Vegetarian meals throughout the tour including Kosh er food in some hotels.


DETAILED TOUR ITINERARY – 13 nights/ 14 days DAY 01- 16 th Jan 2012- Arrival Mumbai Welcomed by an India Travel Centre representative at the airport and transferred to your hotel.

Popularly known by its erstwhile name, Bombay, this vibrant port city overlooking the sparkling

Arabian Sea is home to more than 16 million people and is also popular for being the business

capital of India, for its multi million dollar film industry, its burgeoning fashion scene, vibrant

culture, rich history, effervescent nightlife, shopping avenues and a plethora of other delights.

This is a city that has no parallels anywhere in the world…a city of so many contrasts and

highlights that it will leave you enchanted.

Another interesting aspect to Mumbai is that it is one of the two destinations in India which has a

major Jewish influence and history. This is owing to the fact that the majority of Jewish

community members in India live in Mumbai and Kerala. This special Jewish heritage tour

therefore covers these two enthralling destinations. (It of course helps that Mumbai is such a

fascinating destination on its own and Kerala is rated as one of the ten paradises found by

National Geographic, thereby making this tour one that not only enables you to explore Jewish

Heritage but also to enjoy the best highlights of these two regions). Relax and unwind on your

first day in this fascinating city.

At sunset, we'll take a leisurely stroll by the Gateway of India, built as a triumphal arch to

commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary. Ironically, when the era of British Raj

ended in 1947, this was the place from where the last British ship set sail for England. Take in the

sights and sounds of real Mumbai this evening. Enjoy a horse carriage (tonga) ride along

Mumbai's famous 'Marine drive', also called the Queens necklace for the way it looks from the

sky at night. Head back to the hotel to freshen up and enjoy dinner.

Overnight at the Gordon House.

(Vehicle for transfer)


DAY 02- 17th Jan 2012- Mumbai

Today we will embark on a journey to discover the Jewish highlights of Mumbai apart from taking

in the sights of the city. There are two Jewish communities that settled down in Mumbai – the

‘Baghdadi’ Jews and ‘Bene Israel’ Jews. The Baghdadi Jewish community immigrated to India

during the times of the British Raj. Whilst the name of the community suggests that they

originated from Baghdad, a large number of them actually came from other parts of the world

including Iraq.

The Bene Israel Jews migrated to India in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries and

settled in areas like Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Pune. Since the Bene Israel Jews were by far the

largest of the three groups of Indian Jews, they built the most number of synagogues.

Visit The Gate of Mercy Synagogue (also known as Shaar Harahamim) and Juni Masjid which is

the oldest Jewish synagogue in Mumbai. The synagogue was built in 1796 by Samaji Hasaji

Divekar (also known as Samuel Ezekiel), a Bene Israeli, near Esplanade in South Mumbai. The

synagogue was later rebuilt and moved to the present location at Mandvi in 1860. In the

eighteenth and nineteen centuries, the area was inhabited by a small but thriving Jewish

community.

Later you can visit The Nariman House renamed as Chabad House, which is a five-story

landmark in the Colaba area in southern Mumbai. The building was home to a Jewish outreach

centre run by Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg and had an educational centre, a synagogue, a hostel.

More recently the house has come into prominence because of the shameful terrorist attacks

which saw Chabad house as one of the targets. Have a Kosher lunch at the Chbad House.

This evening enjoy a sightseeing tour of Mumbai. Visit the famous Chhatrapati Shivaji (formerly

Victoria) Terminus - one of the world's most spectacular railway stations, the Gateway of India,

the Elephanta Caves, Crawford Market and Chor Bazaar ( also known as Thieves Market).

Spend the rest of the evening at leisure.


(Vehicle at disposal)


DAY 03- 18th Jan 2012- Mumbai One of Mumbai’s many highlights is its ‘Dabbawalas’. Literally meaning 'tiffin carriers' the

Dabbawalas are an army of 4500 semi literate workers- deliver around 200,000 tiffins within the

city each day. Awarded a Six Sigma rating for efficiency by Forbes and featuring in the Guinness

book of world records for 'best time management', this 120 year old organisation continues to

offer uninterrupted services every single day of the year and has admirers in the likes of Sir

Richard Branson and Prince Charles. Though most of its members are semi literate, they are

called upon by leading premium management schools to lecture on management. Today you will

get to meet the Dabbawalas face to face and see how their world works.

Later today, you can visit the Knesset Eliyahoo Synagogue. Dating back to 1883, Knesset

Eliyahoo Synagogue is the worship place of both Bagdadi and Bene Israeli Jewish communities.

Located in the Colaba area of Mumbai, the synagogue was built by Jaboc Elias Sassoon and his

brothers in the memory of their father.

This three-storied sky blue coloured building has a colonial architecture and looks like a beautiful

wedding cake. Also called Fort Jewish Synagogue, it is characterised by wide wooden staircases,

decorative floor tiles and fine stained-glass windows. The inside of the building is reminiscent of a

colonial church, with rustic wooden balustrades, wooden pillars and rich chandeliers. Worships

are conducted here every Friday evening and Saturday morning.

Spend your last evening in Mumbai at leisure.



DAY 04 – 19 Jan 12 – Mumbai – Cochin (by flight)

By 9W 2101 - dep. 1035 / arr. 1220 – Jet Airways

Transferred to the Mumbai domestic airport for your onward flight to Cochin in Kerala. On arrival

in Kerala you will be welcomed by a Kerala Travel Centre representative and escorted to the

Koder House in Cochin.

Relax and unwind on your first day in Cochin.


The Koder House is a 200 year building which originally belonged to a gentleman called Samuel

Koder (who once ran the Cochin Electric Company) and has now been converted into a boutique

hotel. To this day, the hotel has preserved many of its Jewish traditions and celebrates Hanukkah

every year.

Cochin, also known as the ‘Spice coast of India’ has been a port town since early centuries which

attracted traders and invaders from the world over. Needless to say, Cochin offers you some

fascinating snippets of history and culture today. The place is broadly divided into two areas-

Ernakulam which is a bustling cosmopolitan metropolis and Fort Cochin which is the cultural hub

where the hotel is located. Step out of the hotel and you are within walking distance of the sea

and other attractions like the Chinese fishing nets, said to have been left behind by Chinese

traders in the 15th century.

Interestingly the first Jewish settlement in India was in a place called Kodungallur, some 40 km

north of Cochin. Kodungallur is said to have had trade relations with Palestine some 3000 years

back. Many a Jewish trader who came to Kodungallur for trade settled here, when they could not

return home, owing to the turbulent weather conditions and rough seas. When the second temple

in Jerusalem was destroyed, many Jewish families who had heard about the tolerance,

generosity and hospitality of the people of Kodungallur, from their brethren who had settled here,

ventured to this place. They were welcomed warmly by the Hindu Kings and the locals and thus a

Jewish community thrived in the area.

Relax and unwind at the hotel on your first day in India. In the evening enjoy a relaxing sunset

cruise along the Cochin harbour on a private boat.

Enjoy a Kosher dinner at the Koder House. (Chauffeured Vehicle at disposal)

DAY 05- 20th Jan 2012– Cochin Enjoy a sightseeing tour this morning to explore the many fascinating highlights of Cochin which

include - The Jewish Synagogue in what is locally called the Jew Town, St. Francis Church which

is the oldest European Church in India, the Santa Cruz Basilica built in 1557 by the Portuguese,

the Dutch Palace and the Spice market.

You can visit the Paradesi Synagogue which is the oldest synagogue in the Commonwealth of

Nations. It was built in 1568 by the Malabar Yehudan people or the Cochin Jewish community.


Paradesi is a word used in several Indian languages, and the literal meaning of the term is

"foreigners", and is applied to the synagogue because it was historically used by "White Jews", a

mixture of Jews from Cranganore, the Middle East, and European exiles. It is also referred to as

the Cochin Jewish Synagogue or the Mattancherry Synagogue. The synagogue is located in the

quarter of Old Cochin known as Jew Town and is the only one of the seven synagogues in the

area which are still in use.

In the evening enjoy a ‘Kathakali’ dance performance. ‘Kathakali’ literally means a ‘story-play’ and

is a highly dramatic dance form which depicts the moral values of god and man. The characters

wear elaborate make up and heavy ornaments and the performances are enthralling to watch.

Overnight at the Koder House. (Chauffeured Vehicle at disposal)

DAY 06 – 21st Jan 2012- Cochin

Enjoy a tuk tuk tour of Cochin today. You can visit the Mattancherry spice godowns where the

open spaces between the godowns were used to dry and pack various spices including

coriander, pepper and ginger amongst others.

Later visit the famous 'Thejas Pappad' project, a co operative managed solely by women which

manufactures 'poppadums'. For lunch, taste the sumptuous vegeratrian 'Thali' meal at the popular

Sri Krishan's Restaurant.

Spend your evening at leisure. Overnight at the Koder House.

DAY 07 – 22nd Jan 2012- Cochin – Houseboat (72 km / 2 hrs)

Drive to the backwater region of Allepey to embark on your private houseboat and cruise on the

Backwaters, a splendid area full of canals, lakes and coves. Your houseboats or ‘Kettuvalloms’

are converted rice barges with well-appointed bedrooms and ensuite bathrooms. You can sun

bathe in the well appointed lounge or observe the palm fringed landscape from your cabins. Apart

from the mesmerizing surroundings it is the life along the backwaters that adds a touch of exotica

to this experience.


The locals’ travel in canoes and you will find vegetable sellers, fishermen and other traders

bringing household goods, door to door in small wooden boats.

A small crew will be available at all times to assist you during the cruise. The crew includes the

captain who mans the boat, a chef and a housekeeping staff member. The local food prepared by

the chef on the houseboat is another delight not to miss. As you cruise along the backwaters you

can ask your captain to stop at villages, paddy fields and other places, enroute where you can

choose to go on a village walk.

Waking up the following morning on the tranquil expanse of the Vembanad Lake is an experience

like no other.

Overnight on board. (Full Board) (Vehicle for Transfer)

DAY 08 – 23rd Jan 2012-Houseboat to Periyar

Disembark from your houseboat at Alleppey and drive to Periyar an area known for its undulating

hills, spice plantations, and elephant sightings. One of the 27 tiger reserves in India, the Periyar

valley in Thekkady is the oldest. Check into your hotel.

Go on a spice plantation tour today where you will be enticed by not only the aroma of spices like

cinnamon, cardamom, pepper and nutmeg but will also get to know how they are grown,

harvested and processed before they reach the supermarkets. It is also possible to go for an

Elephant ride today.

Overnight at the Spice Village.


DAY 09 – 24 Jan 12 – Periyar Enjoy a three hour escorted trek of the Periyar wildlife reserve today. In the evening participate in

a cookery demonstration with the renowned chefs at the Spice Village.

Overnight at the Spice Village.



DAY 10 – 25 Jan 12 – Periyar – Kumarakom (135 Km / 3 ½ h)

Drive to Kumarakom, the enchanting backwater region of Kerala and check into the Coconut

Lagoon which is rated by Conde Naste Traveller as one of the twenty five best getaways in the

world. The labyrinthine network of rivers, canals, streams and lagoons, which form the famed

backwaters offer stunning views, and is an ideal place to relax.

Day at leisure. Overnight at the Coconut Lagoon.


DAY 11 – 26 Jan 12 – Kumarakom – Marari (50 km / 1 h) Today noon, you will be transferred to Mararikulam, a typical fishermen’s village and check into

the Marari beach resort. The Marari is an eco-friendly resort on the beach with accommodations

built like traditional fishermen’s huts. All that separates the resort from the sea are rows of

coconut trees which lets you take in the splendours of the beach.

The simplicity and charm of village life that pervades the resort will make you feel one with

nature. Overnight at the Marari Beach Resort. (Vehicle for Transfer)

DAY 12 – 27 Jan 12 – Marari

Day at leisure on the beach. Enjoy a rejuvenating full body Ayurveda massage today. The five

thousand year old ancient natural science of Ayurveda finds its origins in Kerala.

Rest of the evening at leisure. Overnight at the Marari Beach Resort.

DAY 13 – 28th Jan 12 – Marari – Cochin – Departure (65 km / 2 h) Day at leisure on the beach. Overnight at the Marari Beach Resort. (No vehicle)

DAY 14 – 29th Jan 12 Marari – Cochin – Departure (65 km / 2 h)

Departure transfer to Cochin airport for your return flight. (Vehicle for Transfer)


TOUR ACCOMMODATION INFORMATION:

PLACE NIGHTS RESORT ROOM TYPE

Mumbai 03 Gordon House Standard Room

Cochin 03 Koder House Deluxe Suite

Houseboat 01 Muthoot River Escapes 01-bedroom AC Houseboat

Periyar 02 Spice Village Standard Villa

Kumarakom 01 Coconut Lagoon Heritage Mansion

Marari 03 Marari Beach Resort Garden Villa


ABOUT THE ACCOMMODATION:

GORDON HOUSE HOTEL

Gordon House is a charming little Hotel that is big on style. A Hotel full of fresh innovative design

ideas that is simple yet truly stylish. The rooms are adorned by bright stucco walls, colourful

furniture and tiled floors. Situated in the heart of Mumbai, the Gordon House gives you easy

access to all the main attractions of the city.

THE KODER HOUSE

The Koder House is an exclusive boutique hotel situated in the heart of Cochin and combines

centuries-old architecture with modern amenities. The ancestral home of the Koders, a prominent

Cochin Jewish family, the property is a tribute to the rich, mixed culture of the area – a mélange

of Portuguese, Dutch, Kerala and even Chinese influences. The house that once played host to

ambassadors, celebrities and heads of states continues to attract visitors from far and wide. The

feel is both contemporary and classic, the atmosphere, relaxed. Combining the best of western

comforts with ambience and history, the Koder will give you the feeling of being in another era.

The highlights of the property are its exclusive, regal, spacious suites which are on either side of

the three-storey structure. Grand antique beds, including two original four-posters, polished teak

floors, high ceilings and white stone archways on each floor bring the heritage of the place alive.

Another highlight is the seafood served in the seafood specialty restaurant which is bought from

the fresh catch sold along the sea, across from the property.

YOUR HOUSEBOAT

The houseboats, or kettuvalloms as they are called in Malayalam, were originally built to carry

consignments of grain and other produce along the waterways. The name kettuvallom literally

means a boat tied with knots. Each component of these magnificent rice barges is built from

organic products such as bamboo, coir and areca nut palm bark. The boat itself is made from the

bark of a tree called anjili.

The original kettuvalloms were famous for the way in which they were built; with not a single nail

being used in their construction and everything tied or sewed together. These days, brass nails

are used to improve longevity of the boats. The boat uses sturdy seasoned bamboo on the inside

and the roof is thatched with bamboo mat and held together by coir. The decks are laden with coir


matting and the distinctive canopy uses split bamboo lashed together with coir and covered with

palm fronds. Except for the luxurious bathrooms that use ceramic, everything on the boat is made

from organic material. Powered by 40 HP engines and the enthusiasm of the boatman (your

captain) you can be assured of a ride of your lives.

SPICE VILLAGE

Spice Village is located in the Periyar wilderness, high in the mountains of the Western Ghats of

Kerala. For centuries, the area attracted voyagers and adventurers, mercenaries and empire

builders, kings and merchant princes. Today, it is the rainforests, the animals and the vast

silences that attract the modern visitor. The resort consists of 52 cottages set in eight acres of

respectfully tamed forest. The architecture is inspired by the jungle dwellings of the area and care

has been taken to use the same materials in construction. A number of creature comforts have

been added, however, to make your stay a luxurious one.

The rooms are spacious and furnished with simple sophistication; terracotta tiled floors, wooden

beds and chairs and whitewashed walls. To preserve the environment, the furniture has been

crafted using pine from Cochin's historic docks. At the centre of the village is a swimming pool,

surrounded by tropical trees and lawns. The resort has more than 50 species of trees including

herbal trees, all of which are named in English and Latin and a botanist is at hand to explain the

many marvels of the jungle.

COCONUT LAGOON

The Condé Nast Traveller rated the Coconut Lagoon to be among the 25 best get-aways in the

world - and not without reason. The authenticity of the resort along with the captivating beauty of

its surroundings will not fail to mesmerize you. Set on the eastern shores of the majestic

Vembanad Lake, the Coconut lagoon is mostly accessed by the resort taxi boat. The red roofs of

the resort emerge from the palm shadows as you go up a river mouth and make a sharp turn that

brings you right into the reception.

As you step off the boat into a reception area that is built in Kerala style, you will be welcomed

with a refreshing coconut drink and live musical recitals. The most striking feature of the Coconut

Lagoon is its architectural elegance, the structures of which have been built from old houses.

With accommodation spread over a 20-acre estate and nestled amidst majestic swaying palms

and stunning surroundings, you can really feel nature taking over. Though built in a traditional


style, all the accommodation has ultra modern amenities. Even the restaurant is housed in a

traditional structure with two atrium-like courtyards under a roof supported by pillars.

MARARI BEACH RESORT

The Marari Beach Resort is located between Cochin and Alleppey and is rated as one of the

finest beach resorts in Kerala. Set in 25 acres of coconut palm groves leading down to the vast

expanse of a white sand beach, it offers you seclusion and peace in the most verdant settings.

Set in the fishermen's village of Mararikulam, the resort's architecture is designed to blend into

the lifestyle of the locals. Combining the best of western comforts, the cottages are designed as

fishermen's huts bringing the ambience of the village into the resort. All that separates the resort

from the sea are rows of verdant coconut palms. There are a mere 50 cottages, so the sense of

space here is much more dramatic. The cottages are separated by generous stretches of open

parkland, dotted with fruit-laden trees. The winding village pathways are a faithful echo of the

originals. Rambling walls curve around corners, their rust-coloured stones smothered with

trumpet flowers. Completing the picture are the rippling lotus ponds.


HOLIDAY PRICE HOLIDAY PRICE: £ 2380.00 per person (Including International Fligh ts)

PRICE INFO & VALIDITY:

• The above holiday is valid for the dates mentioned in the itinerary only.

• The above holiday is valid for a minimum of 20 people on twin sharing basis.

• Normal check in/out time of hotels is 1200 hrs. We can request for early check in or late check outs but these cannot be guaranteed

• The above quote is subject to availability of accommodation mentioned in the itinerary.

• The above quote is subject to change with the proviso that; in case of a hike in price of

fuel/tax, the quote may vary accordingly. TOUR INCLUSIONS

-Accommodation with breakfast at listed hotels or equivalent. - International flights in economy class - All internal travel by private chauffeur driven air conditioned mini coach as per the itinerary

- 01 night on AC Houseboat on full-board basis (cruise: Alleppey – Kumarakom trip) - Entrance fees and activities as mentioned in the itinerary - Exclusive Sunset Cruise in Cochin - Kathakali dance show in Cochin - Service of a qualified English speaking Guide in Cochin & Mumbai - Plantation tour in Periyar - 03 hours trekking in Periyar - Elephant ride in Periyar - Complimentary general Ayurvedic full-body massage in Marari - Jewish dinner in Koder House - Kosher lunch at Chabad House in Mumbai - All applicable taxes


TOUR EXCLUSIONS

- Expenses of personal nature such as laundry, telephones, beverages, etc. - All other than those listed in above inclusions TOUR CANCELLATION POLICY:

Number of days before departure Notification is received by us Cancellation charge per person

More than 56 Deposit Charges 43- 56 days 35 % of Holiday Cost 29 – 42 days 50% of Holiday Cost 8 – 28 days 90% of Holiday Cost 7 days or less 100% of Holiday Cost


GENERAL TRAVEL INFORMATION Visas and Passports Visa information provided herein is for British passport holders only who are citizens and residents of the United Kingdom. Non-UK passport holders should consult with the relevant Embassy, High Commission or Consulate for Visa Details. It is the responsibility of all passengers to ensure that they hold the correct and valid travel documents, including Visa’s for the country they are visiting. Failure to do so could result in you being prevented from travelling to your destination or having your journey curtailed. The Kerala Travel Centre will not accept any responsibility for loss resulting from these circumstances. All UK passport holders travelling to India require a 10 year passport, valid for at least 6 months on the date of your intended return to the United Kingdom. All children travelling must have their own passport. Note your passport number when travelling and keep it separate from your passport as this will help the British Consulate to supply a temporary passport in the case of loss. If you are travelling to more than one country on your holiday you may be required to hold multiple entry visa which you must check to be applicable. Please note that the Indian visa is valid from the date of issue (unlike many visas which are valid only from the day of entry into the visiting nation), hence plan your dates accordingly. Immunisations & health We advise you to contact your GP as soon as you book your trip for advice on immunization and to obtain Malaria tablets. Take everyday medications with you such as pain killers etc. Note that it is also possible to buy many medications (except sleeping pills and other serious drugs) in local pharmacy stores in India, even without a prescription. Although Hotel/ Resorts and House Boats use means to protect their guests against mosquitoes it is advisable to take your own protective sprays and creams Currency You can only take cash in GB Pounds or US Dollars and buy Indian currency (Indian Rupees) when you arrive in Kerala. You can change currency at the airports, hotels or currency exchange centres which are abundant. When changing currency in India it is advisable that you keep a copy of the money exchange certificate with you. Always demand this certificate when you change money. If you withdraw money from an ATM, the receipt will suffice the purpose. You can also use your bank and credit cards in Kerala, alternatively you could carry traveller’s cheques. Banks are open for transactions from 10.00 to 14.00 hrs each day except Saturday when the hours are 10.00 to 12.00 hrs. At the time of printing the exchange rate was £1 = 70 Indian Rupees. Photo opportunities and sightseeing Take your camera with a zoom lens if possible and be sure to have a large memory card or sufficient reels of film as every sight is a photo opportunity. Binoculars are a must during boat trips and wildlife tours as some species can only be seen in the distance and binoculars insure you won’t miss out. Don’t hesitate to ask Whenever you are en-route between resorts or on excursions feel free to ask your driver to stop should you see something of interest. A few favourites travellers ask to stop for are to sample the metre tea, sweet bananas, fresh coconut milk and water.


Transportation Be sure to take a tuk-tuk (Auto Rickshaw) ride, you can ask your representative or at your hotel for a fair price for taxi’s or tuk-tuk’s. Buses can sometimes become very crowded but offer a very inexpensive way to travel. Train journeys add a different experience of travel, please request any information regarding train journeys, times and pricing from your Kerala Travel Centre Expert. Shopping Please note that Kerala provides for great shopping especially in cities like Cochin and Trivandrum. You will find excellent quality Fabrics, Leatherwear, Gold, Silver and Diamond Jewellery, Spices, Electronics, Audio CDs and DVD’s etc at very reasonable prices. When shopping in Kerala always ask your KTC representative for guidance on the right places to shop. You could also visit a local tailor while you are on holiday and it’s possible for you to get dresses stitched at incredibly cheap prices. Average prices Prices for meals, drinks, shopping and transportation are considerably lower compared to UK prices. Please note however prices can vary considerably depending on the district or place you are visiting and those listed below are only used for guidance purposes. Hotel prices are often based more on international pricing rates than when shopping locally. Local Average prices: Meal £2-£4 (150-300 INR) Bottle of water 15p-20p (12-15 INR) Local Beer 90p-£1.20 (70-100 INR) Tuk Tuk (1 mile) 30p (25 INR) Taxi (1 mile) £1 (80 INR) Shirt £5-£15 (400-1200 INR) Suit £40-£70 (3000-5000 INR) Sari £10-£50 (800-4000 INR) Tipping When you check into a hotel find out the preferred method of tipping. Most establishments would rather you tip in accordance to the help you receive during your stay (i.e. 10 –15% on food and drinks). 30 - 50 rupees (35p - 65p) tip is normally adequate for an attendant to help you with luggage to your room. Some hotels have a gratitude box located in the reception, we suggest that in this case you leave a tip in the box at the end of your stay. Tipping your driver/guide. A fair tip would be around 300 rupees (£4) per day if you are satisfied. If you have had a long journey, you could tip the driver an extra 50 rupees. (70 pence) per person. If you have the same driver/ guide for your entire stay the tip is best offered at the end of your tour. Time zones Indian Standard Time is 5.5 hours ahead of GMT in Winter and 4.5 hours ahead in Summer.


WHY TRAVEL WITH THE KERALA TRAVEL CENTRE! EXPERTISE: Every specialist member of our team has lived and worked in Kerala and has thorough knowledge of the Kerala tourism industry, whether it be creating complex tailor-made tours or organising ground operations. We believe that Kerala is a sum of all its parts and for those wanting a ‘real Kerala’ experience we can go that one step further by offering more than just the major highlights. For instance, we encourage our clients to sample some ‘metre’ tea, take a rural village walk, to park the houseboat so as to buy local fish or seafood and have the chef cook it for you; take a bullock cart ride, have a Kerala cookery lesson…it is your trip, your journey, your discovery. Combined with our expertise of the region, we focus on understanding your travel requirements precisely to deliver the ideal holiday itinerary based on your needs. Should you further need to tweak your itinerary, we would be happy to tailor-make it further for you. PERSONAL SERVICE: We are passionate about delivering the best possible holiday experience for you; a commitment you will see from the very first moment you interact with us to discuss your holiday. It is standard practice for the Kerala Travel Centre to provide all our clients with...

• Traditional ‘meet and greet’ on arrival • 24 x7 emergency contact numbers during • the holiday • Chauffeur driven cars • Well trained English speaking vehicle drivers • Dedicated Guest Relations Staff to ensure everything meets with your satisfaction • Complimentary Ayurveda Massage • Local Mobile phones

…and a lot more BEST VALUE GUARANTEE: Our holidays are guaranteed to provide the best value for your money. You will find therefore that for the quality of the holiday provided, our prices are the best in the market. However, should find a better quote for exactly the same tour using the same hotels and components as used by us, from an ATOL protected travel company in the UK, we promise to beat the price. HOLIDAY PEACE OF MIND: We have been trading successfully within the travel industry for the past seven years. We are ATOL protected (ATOL 9474) and fully bonded to provide financial protection for our clients. While you are on your holiday you can also be rest assured about the safety of your trip as you are provided with emergency contact numbers and also have dedicated Guest Relations Staff available to look after your needs at all times. RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL: At the Kerala Travel Centre we are firm believers in responsible tourism, an approach you will see reflected in our many policies. We believe that tourism should create benefits for the local community. As part of our responsible tourism policies we contribute part of our profits towards development projects in Kerala. So every time you book with us you support one of our development projects.

Jewish Heritage Tour -23-3-11 Heritage T… · Heritage but also to enjoy the best highlights of...

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