One of our advisors, Ashley, recently got the opportunity to visit India. Here is her account of the amazing trip:

Thanks to Kurtzhalers and our local host Banyan Tours, I just returned from a trip of a lifetime in India.

We began our journey in Delhi with two nights at the fabulous Lodhi. All of the rooms have private plunge pools. The property has a very unique private dining venue surrounded by water. It makes you feel as if you are dining in a private oasis. The highlight of Delhi was riding through Old City on rickshaws to get a first-hand feel for the small side streets (what they referred to as lanes), where we learned that each lane was dedicated to a particular item (such as weddings).

The next morning we headed to Agra, where we had an afternoon guided tour of the Taj Mahal. Oberoi Amarvilas, our hotel, is just a quick golf cart ride from the Taj Mahal, which allows you to see the Taj Mahal at sunrise and/or sunset. Because the Oberoi Amarvilas is so close, we were able to skip the crowds. This was a true bucket list moment!

After our lunch at Oberoi Amarvillas and a sight inspection, we continued on our drive to Ranthambore National Park, where we spent two nights at Sher Bagh, a tented camp. This was my first “glamping” experience which I will remember for a lifetime, not only because of the amazing property itself but because we were able to see one of the tigers in the park, Krishna. She was incredible to watch and extremely regal.

We left our new friends in Ranthambore National Park and drove to our next destination, Jaipur (the pink city) for a two-night stay at Rajmahal Palace (the palace the rulers stayed in when they downsized). We did a little shopping and I bought my first Kurta! However, the true highlight here was when we visited the elephant sanctuary and played camel polo. Yes you read this correctly my friends, I climbed on a camel and played camel polo (with the guidance of a camel polo pro of course!) and then ended our evening with a quick elephant ride up to a campsite for dinner.

We bid Jaipur goodbye and flew to Dehra Dan where we ended our journey at the “oh so amazing” Ananda Spa located in the shadows of the Himalayan Foothills. At this destination spa you choose the level of activity that fits your mood. If you wish to be active there are plenty of opportunities including yoga, hiking, and scheduled workouts. However, if you are looking to be fully relaxed, this is the perfect place to do so. Ananda will tailor your experience to meet your needs/wants, whether it is mind, body or both.

Each guest is given white kurta pajamas to wear. They are optional, but you will find yourself wearing them during your entire stay so you can truly relax. From the moment I arrived to Ananda until the moment I left, I found myself in a completely different mindset. It doesn’t hurt that the views are phenomenal.

From camel polo and the tigers to the many friends I met along the way I fell in love with India.

Banyan Tours was incredible (from the guides, drivers, to our fabulous hosts). Every time we stopped and got back in the car (at any point with Banyan Tours) we were given fresh cool towels. This was such a simple gesture but meant so much.

India has my heart. I look forward to going back and would love to send you there as well.

To book your incredible journey to India contact Ashley at Ashley@sanderstravel.com or your Sanders Travel Advisor.

The SAVOY Hotel, London

The SAVOY Hotel London is a luxury hotel located in central London. One of their representatives & our friend, Casey Wagner, came in recently to tell us of the incredible experiences and promotions at the SAVOY. We were so excited about these special treats, that we needed a whole blog post to fit them all.

INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCES

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The SAVOY hotel offers iconic views of London from many rooms starting with the Luxury King River rooms. From the windows of every Luxury King River room, you will be able to see the beautiful Thames River, the London Eye, and Big Ben. If you are traveling with family the Deluxe Twin would be perfect for you. It has 2 double beds and room for a rollaway bed if needed.

When looking for fun in the hotel and around the city, SAVOY offers some creative ideas. SAVOY partners with a company called “Small Car Big City” to help you tour London in the most entertaining way. You will be driven around London in a classic mini cooper, manned by a professional comedian/tour guide.

In August of this year, Taylor Swift did her Vanity Fair shoot at the SAVOY’s Beaufort Bar. How much would your daughter love to be T. Swift for a day & do her own photo shoot in that very spot?! Your Sanders Advisor can recreate this with your daughter as the star!

If James Bond is more your style, the SAVOY offers signature cocktail classes in the American Bar where you can learn how to prepare their signature James Bond drinks. And you’ll learn from the best, literally! The classes are taught by Head Bartender, Erik Lorincz, who was the official martini expert on set for both Skyfall and Spectre, and is a world-renowned bartender having won the Best International Bartender in 2011.

SPECIAL OFFERS

The SAVOY Hotel London is offering 3 awesome upcoming promotions. If you are planning to travel with children, you will receive 50% a second room for children under 18. With this offer you also receive a complimentary breakfast for the family, passes to the London Aquarium, and guaranteed connecting rooms. This offer ends December 31^st so be sure to book fast.

Travelers arriving from the US will love the Timeless check-in offer. No matter what time of the day or night you arrive at SAVOY, they will have your room ready and be prepared to check you in. Perfect for those early morning flight arrivals from the US.

Every traveler can benefit from this great offer. It’s their “Complimentary Night Offer”. Book two nights at the SAVOY and receive a third night free of charge. This package is available January 1, 2016 to April 3, 2016. 

The SAVOY hotel in London is undoubtedly a great place to visit whether you are traveling for business or with the family. They cater exactly to your needs and just about anything you ask for will be satisfied by their friendly staff. Call your Sanders Travel advisor now to learn more and book a week of fun at the SAVOY hotel in London.

Elizabeth at Excellent Playa Mujeras, Cancun

One of our advisors, Elizabeth, recently got married here in Fort Worth. To celebrate, she and her husband traveled to the Excellence Playa Mujeres Resort near Cancun, Mexico. They arrived on property to a special honeymoon greeting and continued to receive amazing service from each and every member of the staff. They were all well informed of the couple's important trip details such as that they were celebrating their Honeymoon and that they had food allergies. They even received a special in room treat of strawberries and champagne.

Elizabeth and her husband had the chance to enjoy most of the amazing amenities that Playa Mujeres had to offer including the Miile Spa. They booked a relaxing couple’s massage and enjoyed the spa facilities. Elizabeth recommends anyone heading to a resort's spa bring a bathing suit, as they are required for some spa activities.

Elizabeth stayed in a Two-Story Terrace Suite which was luxurious and beautiful. Their suite had a private rooftop deck with an amazing view and private plunge pool. It was a great amenity for people looking to relax in the privacy of their own room.

The couple also went deep-sea fishing. They had a blast out on the water and even caught some unique fish like a barracuda. Elizabeth recommends booking the excursions you want before you leave for the trip, because it is much easier to book with your advisor than to interrupt your trip and schedule them with the hotel tour desk. Along with deep-sea fishing, Playa Mujeres offers golf, yachting, Mayan culture tours and much more.

Elizabeth found the cuisine at the resort to be wonderful, and everyone was accommodating of her husband’s food allergy. Her favorite restaurant was Spice, the Asian restaurant, for their really good quality sushi. Their honeymoon package included a special romantic dinner. The special couple could dine at any restaurant on any night, and receive a special VIP dinner. Elizabeth and her husband chose to cash this in at Chez Isabelle, the French restaurant, on a night when there was over an hour wait for a table. Instead of waiting even a minute, the honeymoon couple was whisked away to a quiet table in the corner that was donned with roses where they received the VIP romantic dinner treatment.

Elizabeth and her husband would highly recommend Excellence Playa Mujeres to anyone looking to celebrate a romantic occasion or just relax in paradise. The couple can’t wait to go back to celebrate their anniversary next year.

 

To book your romantic escape, and receive these honeymoon perks and more 

contact your Sanders Travel advisor.