Ready to EXplore? Travel does amazing things for a woman's confidence, and if any of you are interested I am planning to organize a trip to the Pink City of Jaipur, India exclusively for women in November 2006. The trip will take us on a magical triangle tour to Delhi, Agra and Jaipur and will combine spectacular sightseeing, shopping and scavenger hunts. Yes scavenger hunts! I have just returned from an around the world trip with the Great Escape Foundation where solving travel puzzles added a dimension of fun and excitement! So I'll be applying the same idea to our Ex In The City tour!~
So our 10 day journey will not be a normal tourist trip punctuated with exhausting bus rides and sterile boring tours. First of all, its just 12 women. We'll depart from NYC, where we will stay at the Walforf Astoria for one night and enjoy a fabulous Indian dinner at a secret location. Once we get to India, puzzles and adventure cards will be handed out at our hotel meeting points and teams will earn "pink points" that can be cashed in for ayurvedic massages, sensuous silk saris and mehendi tatoos. The scavenges will force you to engage with the locals, be curious and strong and revive that energetic and independent woman that has somehow got lost in your state of EX-ness!!!
Our arriva city, Delhi, is of course is the capital of India and in itself is a fascinating collage of culture, commerce and spirit. We'll get settled and rested for 2 days at the Oberoi, a fantastically opulent hotel conveniently located to enjoy the sites and sounds of this fabulous city. We'll have a short language and cultural immersion with our tour guide, Veena Chatwani, the only female tour guide in Rajastan, she is also a dear friend of mine. Her English is flawless, and her degree in Indian History gives a unique perspective. Veena will travel with us the entire time. Having her available to barter in the local markets will be a godsend!
On day three, a train ride on the Taj Express will take us to Agra where we will experience the Taj Mahal staying in luxury at the Amerivas, another Oberoi Hotel where we will explore the Taj in all its beauty - early morning and sunset.
Then we'll drive on to Jaipur in air conditioned cars, stopping at the deserted city of Fatapur Sikri. Just stunning. Jaipur, known as the Pink City because of its many rose colored buildings, was founded by Maharaja Jai Singh II (1693-1743), is the capital of Rajasthan. Jaipur is surrounded on all sides by rugged hills, crowned with forts & enclosed by embattled walls. Houses with latticed windows line the streets with their rose pink colour, lending enchantment to the scene which is almost magical at sunset.
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