Bespoke Gujarat

02/04/2025

Although we haven't visited Rann Riders on Bespoke Gujarat tours, Wayne and I have stayed there. As mentioned below it was developed using sustainable design principles and materials. Its proximity to the Little Rann (desert) and the fascinating Modhera Sun Temple makes it an ideal stopover when exploring northern Gujarat and it can be easily incorporated into one of our bespoke tours. And of course, as in most of Gujarat, the food is outstanding.

29/03/2025

25/03/2025

Ahmedabad and Lothal are two destinations we visit on our tours. Champaner has been on the bucket list for a long time and we hope to visit next year. Aargh Gujarat - there's just too much to see and do.

12/03/2025

Ooops! February flew by without an acknowledgement of World Embroidery Month - not to be confused with
World Embroidery Day in July - but there are so many days/months to acknowledge that its hard to keep up. So to belatedly celebrate World Embroidery Month here are some examples of embroidery from the Kutch region of Gujarat - home to a wide variety of embroidery techniques

05/02/2025

These photos of Bundi popped up on my page's memories today - a reminder of the charm of one of India's most beautiful towns. Rudyard Kipling lived in Bundi while he wrote the novel Kim, and he said that Bundi Palace looked as though it was built by goblins. The town is an explosion of colour and offers a glimpse into a slower pace of Indian life. Bundi is off the tourist route in eastern Rajasthan.

15/01/2025

A recent report by travel search engine Skyscanner identified destinations where the declining Australian dollar still held value. The best value destinations were Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, India, and South Africa. The study researched the price of coffee in each destination and found that Indonesia (AU$.80) and Vietnam (AU$1.20) were the cheapest. On our trip to north India last year we paid about AU$1 for a black coffee and AU$2-3 for a café latte. However we rarely pay for coffee in India as most places include complimentary breakfasts (with unlimited coffee) in their tariff. Here a few coffee images from travels to India.

19/11/2024

Although Buddhism began in what was then India it does not have a significant presence in contemporary India. However on Bespoke Gujarat's Heart of Gujarat tour we visit Junagadh - home to Uparkot Fort, Buddhist caves, and a fine example of an Ashoka Rock Edict. Junagadh also has much more to offer - including museums, sublime Mughal monuments, and the 9,999 step climb to the summit of mount Girnar (no we haven't done it but our usual driver Kanti Lal has).

01/10/2024

We tried Monsoon Malabar when we were in India earlier this year. It certainly deserves its reputation as one of the world's best coffees ☕️

Few Indian coffee lovers know the hidden treasure of Monsooned Malabar — a coffee adored by connoisseurs in the West.

Its story goes back to the colonial days when British ships carried coffee beans across the ocean to Europe. During the long, humid voyage, the beans would absorb the salty air, changing their flavour in a way no one expected.

As shipping methods improved, this natural ageing process disappeared, and European coffee drinkers missed that special taste. Determined to recreate it, coffee cultivators on the Malabar coast came up with the process of Monsooning.

They left sun-dried beans exposed to monsoon winds, allowing them to swell, soften in acidity, and take on the unique flavour profile that made the original so beloved. After being polished, graded, and sorted, the beans are ready for export.

Today, Monsooned Malabar’s rich, chocolatey notes and earthy boldness make it a favourite in espresso blends, especially in Scandinavia and Germany.

Have you ever tried this incredible brew? Share your experience in the comments below!

Discover the full story and the unique monsooning process behind this iconic coffee: https://www.google.com/amp/s/thebetterindia.com/141377/monsooned-malabar-coffee-india/amp/



[International Coffee Day, Monsooned Malabar coffee, Indian coffee, coffee beans, monsooning process, GI Tagged Coffee]

27/09/2024

Well they missed Uparkot Fort in Junagadh which we visit on our Heart of Gujarat tours. But if you want to see the Prag Mahal or Aina Mahal in Bhuj then you can join us on a new tour that explores the crafts and textiles of Kutch.

If you love architectural splendour and historical grandeur, you’ll love turning this 'Palace & Fort Map of India' into a travel bucket list.

Evoking legends and lore, these royal residences tell the rich history of a place, its people, and its craft. So which one are you visiting next?

PS: This is not a comprehensive list, for it’s impossible to include all of India's fabled forts and palaces on one map. But if we've missed a special one that shouldn't be overlooked, do tell us in the comments!



[ World Tourism Day, Indian in Maps, Palaces of India, Historical Monuments, Tourism, Incredible India, Palace & Fort Map of India ]