Had enough of mass tourism of the anonymous large-scale travel companies?
If so you will have joined a growing band of travellers who, increasingly, are looking for something a bit different to the usual tourism offerings.
The thirst for travel has increased hugely since the end of the health pandemic and lockdowns.
More and more people are are in search of travel that involves a bit more than the usual sun, sand and sangria.
One intrepid businessman who is doing his bit for independent travel is UK-based Dev Biswal.
In addition to being an award winning chef he has developed a “tourism arm” which seeks to promote culinary tours of different countries around the globe.
The “Cook’s Tales Holidays”, the travel arm of Biswal’s The Cook’s Tale restaurant in Canterbury, is now organising 12-day culinary tour of his native India.
Staying at the stylish Radissson Blu Hotel and following a guided tour of Delhi and dinner at a local landmark restaurant, the travel 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.
Biswal will host a lavish nine-course tasting lunch at the Mayfair Lagoon hotel, accompanied by a selection of Indian fine wines and guests can also participate in 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 while 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.
Biswal told this website, “For me, the only way to understand a country’s cultural history is through its food and meeting the people who produce it. I’m really looking forward to showing holiday makers the area where I grew up and introducing them to some amazing characters.”
“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.
The 12 day trip departs Heathrow for Delhi on 10 January 2025 and costs £4,250 per person, based on two people sharing. The price for solo travellers is £4,550.
Other planned trips from Cook’s Tales Holidays are a 10-day visit to Morocco from 27 September 2024, at £3,250, a 9-day tour of East Kent for in-bound international travellers to the UK, from 6 June 2025 costing £2,640; an 8-day visit to Croatia from 10 October at £2,450; a further trip to Morocco in September 2025 at £325; and a further Indian tour in November 2025. All trips are ATOL protected Full itineraries at: www.thecooksadventures.com/tour-destinations
