'We didn't want grand but wanted comfort with authenticity'
Victoria Pilkington, Client
Planning a family trip to somewhere like India is very exciting but always challenging and it was important to draw on c+l’s knowledge of the people, places and logistics to make it work for every family member.
Hermione, aged 21, had been to India twice including teaching drama workshops at the Jaipur literary festival. She was nervous about doing the trip in too lavish a way and Alex at c+l understood clearly that we didn’t want grand but wanted comfort with authenticity. Each hotel was a different and very personal experience.
Allegra, aged 18, was in the process of A levels including textiles and art. She was able to explore the whole hand block printing process in Jaipur and was taken off by an incredibly well-informed specialist guide. She was able to try the hand block printing process herself at the Anoki Museum outside Jaipur. The samples she did went into her final A level sketch book along with some photographs.
Jesse, aged 12, and the lover of simple fare and clean living- we are talking bi-daily showers- was very anxious about India. Due to the comfort and friendliness of the hotels she was quietly impressed and certainly collected a few tales to tell her school friends..........even if Asia is, I suspect, ‘not for her’.
Nancy, aged 10, loved it all and tried every morsel of food...........and the inevitable infection which ensued was soothingly and quickly quelled by the reassuring doctors who were called. Nancy loves the ethnic look and was diving into every embroidery and bangle shop en route.
And Lola, aged 7, is destined to be a born traveller. She loved every bit- from being snake ‘charmed’, riding elephants, wearing turbans, haggling for henna tattoos and exploring local villages. Plenty of treats to take into ‘show and tell’.
There really was something for all in such a well-planned trip and ‘one to remember’. Photography for Johnny and exciting colour inspiration for me........but much, much more than just the one thing we were anticipating. Not to mention the culinary delights, stunning embellished palaces, venerable tour guide, fabulous textile shopping and the friendliest of people.
