Indian Passions – Food & Cricket         25 February - 7 March 2011

Outline Itinerary

Kolkata, capital of the Indian state of West Bengal, is located in eastern India on the banks of the  Hooghly River. As a visitor what strikes you most about Kolkata is passion. Be it a cricket match,

a film festival or theatre performance, Kolkata wears its heart upon its sleeve. After a traditional flower garland welcome at the airport we transfer to our hotel for a buffet breakfast followed by time to relax and unwind before a typical Bengali lunch at Aheli Restaurant. Our afternoon sightseeing tour includes the Victoria Memorial, St Paul's Cathedral and the Indian Museum. Dinner is at a Bengali home. For any real cricket supporter day two should be a real highlight of the tour as we watch England play India at Eden Gardens. Dinner is in the hotel restaurant Sonargaon. This speciality Indian restaurant offers delicacies from regions of North-West India, the Punjab and Bengal.

We depart Kolkata and fly to Bangalore before taking the Shatabdi Express train to Mysore.  Known as  the “city of Palaces” Mysore has buildings with exquisite architecture displaying the grandeur and lavish lifestyle led by the Emperors who ruled the state.  We visit a bustling fruit and vegetable market with its mountains of fruit and spices.  In the evening there is a cookery demonstration where the chef will  explain Indian delicacies; cooking techniques and use of spices and traditional utensils.  Mysore Palace, the official residence of the royal family of Mysore, is an architectural wonder.  We also visit Chamundi Hill Temple before returning to Bangalore.  Bangalore has witnessed the rise and fall of great empires as history progressed.  From temples to museums, malls to entertainment places and parks this city has it all.

Our second One Day International is in Bangalore when England take on Ireland.  For those not going to cricket there is a day to relax and enjoy some free time in Bangalore or at the hotel.  We enjoy drinks with Jonathan Agnew and other cricketing guests before dinner at Masala Klub.  Masala Klub, the new restaurant at the Taj West End hotel, holds the key to a repertoire of influences which are a melange of the best recipes from North & South India. Visually stunning, this restaurant is located by a 120-year old   tamarind tree and serves stylishly crafted native culinary fare.  Our sightseeing in Bangalore includes the Tipu Palace, Lalbagh Gardens and the Victorian Bangalore Walk including 19th century churches, public buildings and stately homes.  Dinner this evening is at Samarkhand, where traditionally dressed waiters serve superb cuisine from the Afghan frontier.

We depart Bangalore on a flight to Chennai and then drive to the wonderful Taj Fishermans Cove at Covelong where we enjoy a special seafood barbecue at the beachfront Bay View restaurant.  Sightseeing in Chennai includes visiting Kalakshetra - home of the performing arts. with beautiful gardens where  classical dance, music, traditional textile design and weaving are taught in natural surroundings.  We have the chance to watch a session of Sharatnatyam, possibly the oldest classical dance form in India, and drive along Marina Beach - the second longest beach in the world - passing some magnificent and impressive colonial buildings and we also experience a rickshaw ride.  The evening begins with a cookery   demonstration at the private venue of Sabita Radhakrishna where she will explain about South Indian delicacies and their preparation.  You will not only learn cooking techniques but also the use of spices and utensils.  Sabita is the author of 3 cook books -”Ashram” on Tamil cuisine won the Gourmand World Cookbook award. After the demonstration a dinner of local specialities will be served.

We depart Bangalore on a flight to Chennai and then drive to the wonderful Taj Fishermans Cove at Covelong where we enjoy a special seafood barbecue at the beachfront Bay View restaurant.  Sightseeing in Chennai includes visiting Kalakshetra - home of the performing arts. with beautiful gardens where  classical dance, music, traditional textile design and weaving are taught in natural surroundings.  We have the chance to watch a session of Sharatnatyam, possibly the oldest classical dance form in India, and drive along Marina Beach - the second longest beach in the world - passing some magnificent and impressive colonial buildings and we also experience a rickshaw ride.  The evening begins with a cookery demonstration at the private venue of Sabita Radhakrishna where she will explain about South Indian delicacies and their preparation.  You will not only learn cooking techniques but also the use of spices and utensils.  Sabita is the author of 3 cook books -”Ashram” on Tamil cuisine won the Gourmand World Cookbook award. After the demonstration a dinner of local specialities will be served.

The final day of our tour offers another chance to watch England play in the ICC Cricket World Club when England play South Africa at the Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.  We make our early evening transfer to Chennai airport for our return flight to London