Some Journeys Don’t End When You Come Home
One of the unexpected joys of travelling with Good Food Journeys is discovering that some journeys don’t really end when you come home.
The suitcases get unpacked, the photographs get shared and life gets back to normal. But the friendships made on tour continue.
Later this month, guests from our past journeys are getting together again – this time for a reunion dinner at the new Cassia in Auckland.
There will be wonderful food, plenty of stories and, I am sure, lots of laughter about things that only people who travelled together could possibly understand.
And that’s one of the things I love most about Good Food Journeys: the connections that happen along the way.
Knowing what I know about India, and the connections we have, what would I want our guests who have always dreamed of visiting India to experience on this journey?
That question shapes everything.
I want our guests to see the India they have imagined but also discover the India they may never have known was there.
Every hotel, meal, experience and guide is carefully chosen to give our guests a different perspective of India – one that goes beyond the usual tourist trail.
There is so much to see and do, but I am also aware that the luxury hotels we stay at are destinations in themselves. So, I make sure that there is enough opportunity for downtime by the poolside or to take in the history of the palace. Such as our hotel in Jaipur – the Taj Jai Mahal Palace pictured above.
The ‘Good’ in our name stands for doing good for the communities we visit. So I ensure that we have an element of giving back, no matter how small, at every destination.
And then Chand weaves her magic into those experiences, bringing the people, stories, food, shopping and culture to life.
It’s that combination – my obsession with creating the journey, our connections in India and Chand’s ability to bring it alive – that makes a Good Food Journey unique.
Our Flavours, Festivals & Gems of India journey takes us to India in January 2027. Here are five highlights I am particularly excited about sharing with our guests:
🔥 Experience Lohri
We have timed this tour to be in Amritsar for Lohri, one of Punjab’s most vibrant festivals – a celebration of harvest, community, music, fire and food. It’s one thing to read about an Indian festival. It’s quite another to be there when the celebrations are happening around you.
🕌 Share a Langar at the Golden Temple
At Amritsar’s Golden Temple, we will experience something far more meaningful than simply visiting one of India’s most extraordinary landmarks. We will share ‘langar’ – a communal meal served to everyone, regardless of background or status. It’s a remarkable expression of equality and generosity to experience in the world’s largest community kitchen.
💎 Discover India’s Jewellery
India’s relationship with jewellery stretches back thousands of years, and Jaipur is one of the world’s great centres of jewellery craftsmanship. We will meet some artisans who are in it for generations and discover the skill and stories behind India’s extraordinary gems and jewellery.
👑 Stay at Taj Jai Mahal Palace, Jaipur
For a few nights, we will call Taj Jai Mahal Palace home. It is a beautiful heritage palace built in 1745 and set in 18 acres of landscaped gardens. It is the kind of place where the hotel itself becomes a destination and a part of the experience.
🌅 See the Taj Mahal at Sunrise
There are photographs of the Taj Mahal everywhere.
But nothing quite prepares you for standing in front of it as the first light of day begins to change the colour of the marble. We will be there early, before the crowds, to experience one of India’s most extraordinary sights at its most magical.
Guest Testimonial
Justin and I went on the March tour to India and absolutely loved it. It was a bucket list trip that exceeded our expectations.
We usually travel independently so this was our first group tour. All the logistics were sorted for us and everything ran incredibly smoothly. The itinerary was carefully curated and had a great mix of activities that saw us exploring national treasures, and bustling cities. There was a good balance of chill time that allowed us to enjoy the stunning accommodations. We loved that in every city we visited we had a local guide- they were all extremely knowledgeable. Amaresh went out of his way to ensure we all had a fantastic time in India.
The food was exceptional and we dined in a great range of places ranging from some of India’s top restaurants to a beachside banquet to street food. In each location we experienced authentic local cuisine and having Sid & Chand to explain the history, cooking techniques and ingredients was the icing on the cake!
One of the things that really stood out was the genuine connections that our group made. Many new friendships blossomed and our group chat is still active 6 months after arriving home.
I highly recommend Good Food Journey’s culinary tours to India.
~ Justin and Kate Watson
Perhaps this is the year you say yes, and experience India early next year. If you have been thinking about joining us in January, September is the month to make your decision.
This is a small group tour with a maximum of 14 guests. We have a few spots left on this tour, and we would love to host you in India.
If you confirm your place by 30 September, you will be in the draw for a suite upgrade at the ITC Mughal in Agra.
And perhaps, next year, you will join us at our next reunion.
Perhaps this is the year you say yes, and experience India early next year.
We have deliberately kept this journey small, with a maximum of 15 guests.
Warm regards,
Malhar
Good Food Journeys
