All Things Intriguing Travel

All Things Intriguing Travel Launched in 2013 by Shani and Joji, it is the vehicle through which we can share our deep-rooted passion for all things India. We were so excited!

ATI Travel NZ crafts unforgettable, culturally rich journeys across India, offering travellers a deep dive into the country's vibrant traditions, culinary delights, and artisanal heritage. All Things Intriguing Travel Story
Sharing our passion for all things Indian Subcontinent

All Things Intriguing Travel (previously known as iSpice Tours & then All Things India Travel) is a proudly owned and o

perated family tour business conceptualised and based in NZ. All Things Intriguing Travel offers personally hand-crafted tours which enable guests to enjoy authentic grass-roots experiences of the real India. This is our story…

With hospitality in our DNA and fired by our love of Indian cuisine, we started hosting private culinary evenings in our home in 2008. In this way we could share our passion and knowledge of Indian cuisine, culture, customs, traditions and ayurvedic practices. During these very social and scrumptious interactive sessions, our guests were not only shown how the dishes were cooked but were also provided with an explanation of the various spices, their uses and their ayurvedic function. Guests enjoyed a demonstration of traditional cooking tools and utensils and viewed short tourism documentaries of the Indian regions that the dishes originated from, thus providing a cultural context to the cuisine. Our guests’ thorough enjoyment of these informative, interactive and intimate culinary events often led to them expressing a desire to tag along with us on our next trip to India. How wonderful it would be to take like-minded people with us as guests so that they too could experience and enjoy India as we do! The seed of a tourism venture was sown! Our subsequent visits to India were used to shape this dream into a reality. We travelled around even more and explored both ‘must see’ destinations and fascinating places off the beaten track, with the aim of weaving itineraries which would provide enriching experiences of the fabric of India. We fell even more in love with the people we met along the way – they did not have much but they were always warm and friendly and gave so generously of themselves. We loved these local communities and they loved us! They were moved by the respect we gave them, our warmth towards them and our ability to communicate with them in their local language, even though we were from overseas. We wanted to support these wonderful communities and help them to retain their livelihood and sustain their way of life. This spurred us on even more. We actively sought and established important connections within key tourism boards and potential service providers who shared our philosophy and ethos. These strategic connections, together with our established network of family and friends across India, provided us with a strong framework for building a tourism venture with a heart. iSpice Tours was launched in 2013 with the aim of sharing our passion and knowledge of South India, through hand-crafted tours that are unique, authentic, personal and memorable for our guests, and are also socially responsible giving something back to the local communities that we touch. It is all about “Realising dreams” – our guests realising their dream holiday, the local communities realising their dream of sustaining their traditional livelihood, culture and heritage and us realising our dream of sharing and caring for our guests while supporting the local communities during our travels. Over the years we have expanded our network and it now includes national and regional tourism boards of India, and NGOs that are keen to support our responsible tourism ventures. Through this strong network, we are now able to source and provide unique and rich experiences across the whole of India and neighbouring countries like Bhutan and Sri Lanka. Thus in 2015 we rebranded to ‘All Things Intriguing Travel’ to reflect our expanding portfolio of tour offerings to the Indian sub-continent & Asia.

Got a glimpse into the fascinating world of silk production! With special permission from the Sericulture Director, we v...
26/02/2025

Got a glimpse into the fascinating world of silk production! With special permission from the Sericulture Director, we visited one of Asia's largest cocoon auction markets near Mysore. The official on-site generously explained the market's intricate operations, which amazingly take place almost every day of the year. A real eye-opener!

24/02/2025

Introducing Hafiz Rashid , a distinguished Singaporean textile collector 🇸🇬 with a deep commitment to preserving culture through his remarkable collection of traditional Malayan costumes.

Hafiz's collection is a powerful tribute to Malay heritage. Each piece transcends mere clothing; it acts as a time capsule, encapsulating exquisite artistry, rich identity, and the vibrant essence of the community.

19/02/2025

We witnessed the traditional craft of handmade coir-making in Alappuza, Kerala, on the final day of our “Essence of Western Ghats” 20-day tour. This experience not only connected us to Kerala’s cultural heritage but also highlights the sustainable practices that make coir a symbol of Alappuzha’s ingenuity—a fitting, tactile farewell to the region’s natural and artisanal legacy .

12/02/2025
10/02/2025

An Oriental rat snake in Kabini was skillfully rescued by senior naturalist Shashank Munjamkar from the Kaav Safari Lodge, demonstrating his expertise and respect for wildlife.

06/02/2025

We were thrilled to participate in a half-day private workshop at Tharangini Studio, a renowned artisan-led hand-block printing studio in Bangalore. With a 47-year legacy, Tharangini specialises in custom-made and holistic designs while upholding ethical practices, sustainability, and social impact. Through artisan-led workshops on natural dyes and hand-block printing, Tharangini nurtures textile enthusiasts, aspiring designers, and design students, ensuring the preservation of this traditional craft.

06/02/2025

Rosewood inlay work of Mysore is a traditional craft known for its intricate designs and exquisite craftsmanship. Artisans skillfully embed materials like other woods and plastic (in the past ivory) into rosewood to create beautiful patterns, often seen in furniture, decorative items, and musical instruments.

We are excited to kick off our 19-day Enchanting Western Ghats tour in Bangalore with a vibrant and colorful beginning.
01/02/2025

We are excited to kick off our 19-day Enchanting Western Ghats tour in Bangalore with a vibrant and colorful beginning.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
24/12/2024

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

A wonderful documentary from my home state of Kerala brought back fond memories of kayaking through the winding canals, ...
08/12/2024

A wonderful documentary from my home state of Kerala brought back fond memories of kayaking through the winding canals, connecting with friendly locals, joining in exciting boat races, and exploring lively fish markets. Join us on our Kerala tour to fully soak in this vibrant culture!
https://atitravel.nz/tours/packaged-tours/essence-of-kerala-tamil-nadu/
https://youtu.be/GrrY8Wn0IWA?si=lp2DER5kOnaCipxk

In the backwaters of India, the Malayalis live in harmony with the ebb and flow of nature. Nestled between the Indian Ocean and intricate lagoons, their worl...

13/11/2024

Shani, a passionate collector of global textiles and the curator of the Weaves of the World exhibition, absolutely loves sharing how today’s talented weaving artists are beautifully blending traditional techniques with their own fresh and innovative creations. This delightful trend not only reflects a heartfelt appreciation for history but also opens the door to exciting new artistic possibilities!

12/11/2024

During our heritage textiles collection exhibition in Wellington, New Zealand, one of the guests shared her inspiring experience of witnessing the beautiful Ikat weaving from Sumba Island in Indonesia. She described the intricate and labour-intensive technique employed by these incredibly skilled artisans, illuminating the artistry behind each piece. https://atitravel.nz/wow/

Embark on a journey around the globe through the captivating world of textiles in our latest exhibition, "Weaves of the ...
19/10/2024

Embark on a journey around the globe through the captivating world of textiles in our latest exhibition, "Weaves of the World." Explore a diverse collection of heritage textiles from New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, Asia, Africa, and beyond. Discover the rich cultural significance behind each piece, from traditional wedding attire to everyday essentials.

In this video, we share feedback from visitors who were captivated by the vibrant colours, intricate designs, and stories woven into each textile. Learn how this exhibition offers a unique opportunity to appreciate the diversity and beauty of cultures worldwide.

Embark on a journey around the globe through the captivating world of textiles in our latest exhibition, "Weaves of the World." Explore a diverse collection ...

Address

Thorndon
Wellington
6012

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 1pm

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+6421505713

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Videos

Introducing Hafiz Rashid @geroda19, a distinguished Singaporean textile collector 🇸🇬 with a deep commitment to preserving culture through his remarkable collection of traditional Malayan costumes. Hafiz's collection is a powerful tribute to Malay heritage. Each piece transcends mere clothing; it acts as a time capsule, encapsulating exquisite artistry, rich identity, and the vibrant essence of the community. #atitravelnz #malaya #costumedesign #traditionalcostume #heritagecostumes

We witnessed the traditional craft of handmade coir-making in Alappuza, Kerala, on the final day of our “Essence of Western Ghats” 20-day tour. This experience not only connected us to Kerala’s cultural heritage but also highlights the sustainable practices that make coir a symbol of Alappuzha’s ingenuity—a fitting, tactile farewell to the region’s natural and artisanal legacy . #atitravelnz #keralatourism #smallgrouptours #Experience #craft

Discover the art of ‘1 meter tea’ making in the enchanting hills of Wayanad, Kerala, with us in our small tour. https://atitravel.nz/tours/packaged-tours/enchanting-western-ghats/ #atitravelnz

Oriental rat snake
Oriental rat snake

An Oriental rat snake in Kabini was skillfully rescued by senior naturalist Shashank Munjamkar from the Kaav Safari Lodge, demonstrating his expertise and respect for wildlife. #atitravelnz

Early morning wildlife safari at the Nagerhole Tiger Reserve Forest. #atitravelnz

We were thrilled to participate in a half-day private workshop at Tharangini Studio, a renowned artisan-led hand-block printing studio in Bangalore. With a 47-year legacy, Tharangini specialises in custom-made and holistic designs while upholding ethical practices, sustainability, and social impact. Through artisan-led workshops on natural dyes and hand-block printing, Tharangini nurtures textile enthusiasts, aspiring designers, and design students, ensuring the preservation of this traditional craft. #tharanginistudio #atitravelnz #atitravel #handblockprinting #blockprintingworkshop

Rosewood inlay work of Mysore is a traditional craft known for its intricate designs and exquisite craftsmanship. Artisans skillfully embed materials like other woods and plastic (in the past ivory) into rosewood to create beautiful patterns, often seen in furniture, decorative items, and musical instruments. #atitravelnz #crafttour #indiatravel

‘Transformer’ basket. A marvel of simple ingenuity. Near Tipu Sultan’s summer palace in Bangalore.

Shani, a passionate collector of global textiles and the curator of the Weaves of the World exhibition, absolutely loves sharing how today’s talented weaving artists are beautifully blending traditional techniques with their own fresh and innovative creations. This delightful trend not only reflects a heartfelt appreciation for history but also opens the door to exciting new artistic possibilities!

During our heritage textiles collection exhibition in Wellington, New Zealand, one of the guests shared her inspiring experience of witnessing the beautiful Ikat weaving from Sumba Island in Indonesia. She described the intricate and labour-intensive technique employed by these incredibly skilled artisans, illuminating the artistry behind each piece. https://atitravel.nz/wow/

Sumba Ikat Weaving explained at the Weaves of the World exhibition
Sumba Ikat Weaving explained at the Weaves of the World exhibition

During our heritage textiles collection exhibition in Wellington, New Zealand, one of the guests shared her inspiring experience of witnessing the beautiful Ikat weaving from Sumba Island in Indonesia. She described the intricate and labour-intensive technique employed by these incredibly skilled artisans, illuminating the artistry behind each piece. https://atitravel.nz/wow/

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Our Story

All Things India Travel Story Sharing our passion for all things India All Things India Travel (previously known as iSpice Tours) is a proudly owned and operated family tour business conceptualised and based in NZ. Launched in 2013 by Shani and Joji, it is the vehicle through which we can share our deep-rooted passion for all things India. All Things India Travel offers personally hand-crafted tours which enable guests to enjoy authentic grass-roots experiences of the real India. This is our story… With hospitality in our DNA and fired by our love of Indian cuisine, we started hosting private culinary evenings in our home in 2008. In this way we could share our passion and knowledge of Indian cuisine, culture, customs, traditions and ayurvedic practices. During these very social and scrumptious interactive sessions, our guests were not only shown how the dishes were cooked but were also provided with an explanation of the various spices, their uses and their ayurvedic function. Guests enjoyed a demonstration of traditional cooking tools and utensils and viewed short tourism documentaries of the Indian regions that the dishes originated from, thus providing a cultural context to the cuisine. Our guests’ thorough enjoyment of these informative, interactive and intimate culinary events often led to them expressing a desire to tag along with us on our next trip to India. How wonderful it would be to take like-minded people with us as guests so that they too could experience and enjoy India as we do! The seed of a tourism venture was sown! We were so excited! Our subsequent visits to India were used to shape this dream into a reality. We travelled around even more and explored both ‘must see’ destinations and fascinating places off the beaten track, with the aim of weaving itineraries which would provide enriching experiences of the fabric of India. We fell even more in love with the people we met along the way – they did not have much but they were always warm and friendly and gave so generously of themselves. We loved these local communities and they loved us! They were moved by the respect we gave them, our warmth towards them and our ability to communicate with them in their local language, even though we were from overseas. We wanted to support these wonderful communities and help them to retain their livelihood and sustain their way of life. This spurred us on even more. We actively sought and established important connections within key tourism boards and potential service providers who shared our philosophy and ethos. These strategic connections, together with our established network of family and friends across India, provided us with a strong framework for building a tourism venture with a heart. iSpice Tours was launched in 2013 with the aim of sharing our passion and knowledge of South India, through hand-crafted tours that are unique, authentic, personal and memorable for our guests, and are also socially responsible giving something back to the local communities that we touch. It is all about “Realising dreams” – our guests realising their dream holiday, the local communities realising their dream of sustaining their traditional livelihood, culture and heritage and us realising our dream of sharing and caring for our guests while supporting the local communities during our travels. Over the years we have expanded our network and it now includes national and regional tourism boards of India, and NGOs that are keen to support our responsible tourism ventures. Through this strong network, we are now able to source and provide unique and rich experiences across the whole of India and neighbouring countries like Bhutan and Sri Lanka. Thus in 2015 we rebranded to ‘All Things India Travel’ to reflect our expanding portfolio of tour offerings to the Indian sub-continent.