Palaces, Tigers, Temples, Feasts, Wines and Whisky
The Cook’s Tales Holidays, the travel arm of renowned chef-patron Dev Biswal’s The Cook’s Tale restaurant in Canterbury, has announced an exclusive 12-day culinary tour of his native India, departing Heathrow for Delhi on 10th January 2025.
The 12-day tour costs £4,250 per person, based on two people sharing. The price for solo travellers is £4,550.
Staying at the stylish Radissson Blu Hotel and following a guided tour of Delhi and dinner at a local landmark restaurant, the group will catch an internal flight the next day to Bhubaneswar in Odisha, for two nights, to discover its ancient temples, Buddhist monuments and Jain caves. Dev will host a lavish nine-course tasting lunch at the Mayfair Lagoon hotel, accompanied by a selection of Indian fine wines from Sula Vineyards in Nashik. A relaxation day follows with a chance to indulge in the hotel’s swimming pool, spa services or the pub. That evening there will be a stroll to a market to buy some vegetables for a cooking class with the esteemed local chef at the eponymous Dimple’s Kitchen.
A train trip aboard the Vande Bharat Express Train bound for Balasore will transport guests for a two-night stay at the grand Belgadia Palace. The residence of the Maharajah Praveen Chandra Bhanideo, will host a lavish BBQ-style welcome dinner, following a flavour royal Indian whisky.
Other highlights will be a visit to tribal villages of the Simlipal Tiger Reserve, a stay at the Konark Eco Retreat with its mangrove forests, private sandy beaches and sandbars, offering a spa, water sports and yoga.
“For me, the only way to understand a country’s cultural history is through its food and meeting the people who produce it,” said Biswal, adding,” I’m really looking forward to showing holiday makers the area where I grew up and introducing them to some amazing characters.”
Other planned trips from Cook’s Tales Holidays are a 10-day visit to Morocco from 27th September 2024, at £3250, a 9-day tour of East Kent for in-bound international travellers to the UK, from 6th June 2025 costing £2640; an 8-day visit to Croatia from 10th October at £2,450; a further trip to Morocco in September 2025 at £325; and a further Indian tour in November 2025. Full itineraries at:
www.thecooksadventures.com/tour-destinations
“Because we are passionate about food, travel and supporting local businesses – our adventures using local guides are designed to showcase the best of each destination, visiting local markets and food producers, with an intimacy that you won’t get with the mass tourism of large-scale travel companies,” said Biswal.
All trips are ATOL protected
