Story by Ed Salvato; photos by Ed Salvato except bottom courtesy of Aman.
India is a country renowned for its sights, sounds, colors and aromas. It's also known to be challenging and difficult -- a chaotic environment with snarled traffic jams, endless noise, dust and smog, impossibly crowded trains, cows wondering the roads and many more obstacles to an easy vacation.
But these difficulties shouldn't prevent you from exploring this amazing country, where almost all visitors come away a different, more aware person than when they arrived. It's worth pausing and considering this phenomenon. How many vacations actually help you become more self aware? How many trips have you taken that challenge or reaffirm your innermost beliefs?
It's a special place that can accomplish that. India should be a must on your list of dream trips. Here's one way to discover the best of India in a way that minimizes the stresses of journeying here. First, book your air on Jet Airways, which offers an economical business class option Called Premiere Class, with private sleeping pods at surprisingly low prices. This class of service includes delicious meals (frequently with both Indian and Western-style options) and, when available, an attendant who meets you at the plane door, whisks you through customs and immigration and onto your transfer or awaiting transportation. Jet Airways works with Jet Lite for domestic connections. Jet Lite is incredibly inexpensive.
Aman Resorts, which boasts three stunning hotel properties in varied locales in India, offers a specially priced deal which is a perfect way to discover India in pampered style with all transfers included. Dubbed, Aman India Journey, the special ($3,650 double occupancy through April 30, 2010; $3,840 Oct 1, 2010 through April 30, 2011) includes a minimum of two nights in each of the following properties. Also included is breakfast and transfers between the properties and one activity per stay. And let's not forget the addictive lemon-scented cold towel compress that meets you at every juncture both cooling and sweetening your stay.
Aman New Delhi is Aman's newest property. It's also it's first true urban hotel and the largest in terms of number of rooms. The sleek, modern lines, masculine subdued palette and abundant green spots are a truly welcome oasis of peace in the heart of India's bustling capital city. Each spacious unit comes with its own butler and a plunge pool. The gym is gigantic and modern and is maintained by fitness trainers who are happy to help you burn off the calories you'll acquire at the hotel's fine restaurants.
Amanbagh is one of Aman's true jewels. Located in a remote valley in Rajasthan surrounded by palm trees and lost-in-time villages and monumental ruins, the property is almost entirely self sufficient with its own water treatment facility, organic garden, restaurant and bakery. It also boasts a 150-foot long pool as its dramatic centerpiece. Surrounding it are the accommodations which are huge and private and elegantly appointed with locally-quarried marble as well as a small but serviceable gym and a spa.
Aman-i-Khas is Aman's tented resort, also located in the state of Rajasthan but in an even more remote location along side the Ranthambore National Park. This is where you'll enjoy open-top vehicle safaris in search of India's elusive tigers and other wildlife by day and luxurious tented accommodations at night.
