But that wouldn’t be fair to the folks at Evocateur, who produce a wide range of jewelry, with an entire line that appeals to the traveler.

First, about this elephant cuff…

The Indian Elephant cuff is 1.5 inches wide and has 3 little elephants dancing around it. It’s 22k gold leaf and has a high gloss covering it so there’s little to no risk of chipping or scratching the surface.

A red gem adorns the center elephant and adds a nice little touch.

The cuff itself is quite solid. It’s not something that you’d want to open and cinch together but once it’s slipped on, it stays quite comfortably around your wrist. My wrists are on the thin side and it does tend to slip around if I don’t give it just one gentle squeeze (though the company doesn’t recommend this).

All pieces in the Evocateur collection are hand made to order and, therefore, may differ just slightly from piece to piece. But that’s part of the charm, right? You’re really getting a one of a kind item!

The Indian Elephant cuff (above) retails for $318.

You can shop by Category (cuffs, pendants, earrings, belts, etc.) or by collection. Of course, my favorite collection is the Voyages series, which includes maps, flags, Russian dolls, Indian women and more. In addition to the Indian Elephant, here are my top choices:

Paris Pendant – $218

Buddha Pendant – $238

Mumbai Dreams Cuff – $338

I’m not so sure these are something you’d want to travel with but they definitely appeal TO the traveler. Perfect for a night out at an ethnic restaurant or a travel-themed dinner party. Definitely something to put on your wish list!

Travel Well,

Beth

This 14-day journey highlights the best of North India with stops at the Taj Mahal in Agra, a walking tour of Delhi, a stop at the nature preserve near Chambal and stops in Jodhpur and Jaipur in the state of Rajasthan.

This itinerary differs from past women-only WanderTours to India in that it now includes:

• Experiencing a Bollywood-like extravaganza in Delhi at the Kingdom of Dreams – a cultural showcase of all things India.
• Lunch at the home of a local family in Rajasthan, where the group will experience unique culinary delights and have the chance to get to see inside a typical Rajasthani home and learn about their culture and lifestyle.
• Diwali celebrations in Chambal, where a host family will share their puja (prayer) time with the group and all will enjoy a fireworks display.
• A walking tour of Delhi by a young person familiar with life on the streets of this city. While this is not a slum tour, it will show you a different side to this of Delhi.

Participants have the option to add a 3-day trip to Varanasi on to the end of the tour.

Details:
Limited to: 15 women
Tour leader: Dianne Sharma-Winter
Land costs: $3,975
In-country flights: approximately $145
Varanais add-on: $745 plus flights

See full itinerary and inclusions for this women-only tour to India on the WanderTours site.

Travel Well,

Beth

Related links:
North India Women-only Tour
North India photo gallery
Best Books about India

Travelers Tales India – There’s nothing like reading other people’s true stories about their travels to a given destination. It really helps to envision yourself at that locale (for better and worse!). This collection from Travelers Tales is a wonderful compilation from well-known and little-known travel writers. With nearly 50 stories in all, it will get you excited either prior to your trip or will help to put things into perspective once you’ve returned. Available on Amazon.

*****

Shantarm by Gregory David Roberts – One of the most thrilling books ever written about India, this takes place mostly in Mumbai. It is based on the true tales of an Australian on the run who plunks himself down in the middle of a slum and becomes the local doctor to the community. You’ll learn all about the seedy underworld of the Indian mafia as well as how their broken system of government and corruption works – or doesn’t work as the case may be. You’ll be kept on the edge of your seat for the vast majority of this book until, toward the end, the book gets a little unbelievable. Available on Amazon.

*****

Holy Cow by Sarah MacDonald – This is one wild and funny memoir about an expat’s time living in India when her sig’o gets posted in Delhi as a journalist. Her observations are spot-on and are both painful and hilarious. Listen to the audio book and you’ll feel like a friend is telling you an intimate story. Highly recommended before your adventure to the subcontinent! Available on Amazon.

*****

White Tiger by Aravind Adiga – A fictional tale about a poor villager who believes he’s at the pinnacle of life when he becomes the chauffer for a wealthy family in Delhi. It’s a twisted tale and through the narrative, you might find yourself having compassion for the main character, as despicable as he becomes. Available on Amazon.

*****

May You be the Mother of a Hundred Sons by Elisabeth Bumiller – The author spent 3.5 years in India as a reporter for the Washington Post. In addition to her reporting, she made good use of her time but pulling together stories of India’s women. There’s a big dose of tragedy in this book but also many stories of hope and inspiration about some very strong women. It’s a bit painful to read at times but an excellent read if you want to know what India is like for the average woman. Available on Amazon.

*****

Wanderlust and Lipstick: For Women Traveling to India by Beth Whitman – If you’re looking for a primer to get you started in your journey to India, look no further than this book. Filled with information specifically for the woman traveler, in addition to the author’s own suggestions, it includes anecdotes and tips from dozens of women who’ve traveled extensively throughout the country. Signed copies available on this website

*****

Lonely Planet Guide to India – Long considered the Bible for anyone traveling to India, this book covers a huge amount of ground in its more than 1,200 pages. It’s got nearly everything you’d need to know about the country to prepare for a trip. A word of caution is that once a hotel or restaurant is listed in the Bible, prices go up and it’s often hard to get a room or table at the establishment. Available on Amazon.

*****

Rough Guide to India – If you’re looking for something that’s just a bit more off the beaten path, try the Rough Guide. These folks tend to include some excellent alternatives to LP, including restaurants that usually only the locals know about. It’s still packed with valuable info such as history, culture and all the other practicalities you’ll need to plan a trip. Available on Amazon.

*****

Interested in a tour to India? Check out our women-only tours to both North India and South India.

Travel Well,

Beth

Related links:
Tours to India
Photo of the Day: Varanasi
South India’s People

This 16-day small-group journey features the most popular highlights of North India, but it also incorporates intimate cultural experiences not found on other tours. You’ll have the chance to:

• dine in the home of a local family
• watch a private dance and musical performance in the home of world-renowned musicians
• take a hands-on cooking class from a fascinating woman chef
• sit down with a Tibetan monk to learn about Buddhism in India

You’ll stay in comfortable 4-star hotels, eat delectable food and learn about the country’s history as well as current culture through local guides.

Of course the tour also features highlights and experiences that will make this a memorable journey…

• stroll the streets of bustling markets where the smell of incense wafts freely
• enjoy authentic cuisine masterly prepared with local spices and fresh ingredients
• see the majestic Taj Mahal at sunrise
• walk along the ghats of Varanasi, where dedicated Hindu practitioners meditate and say their daily pujas (prayers)
• meander through the exotic temples of Khajuraho
• immerse yourself in Rajasthan, where the mughals of centuries past ruled

The details…
Dates: October 25 – November 9, 2011
Cost: $4,725
Registration form: North India Registration Form 2011

Questions?
Call: 888-818-9918
Email: beth (at) wandertours (dot) com

Why a Group Tour?
India IS incredible (as the advertisement goes). But it can also be intimidating, especially for the first-time visitor. If you are an experienced group tour person, you already know the benefit of having someone else make the arrangements for you. But if you think of yourself as an independent traveler, you may question whether a tour is for you or not.

Consider this… Our WanderTour is crafted so that you take on little work yourself. All in-country arrangements are made for you including hotel, food and transportation. We show you the highlights including not only the top sightseeing spots but provide experiences that you would not likely find on your own.

All this in the company of other women who are probably just like you. Someone interested in visiting this vast country but doesn’t have the time to make all the plans nor the knowledge to put together a tour that includes so many experiences in a relatively short period of time.

Why WanderTours?
I’m the author of Wanderlust and Lipstick: For Women Traveling to India. While I don’t purport to know everything about the country, I do know a thing or two and have a pretty good sense as to what women might like to experience in the country. I’ve done my best to pull together this tour to provide high value at the very best price.

As someone who knows the importance of getting beyond the surface experience in my own travels, I’ve take great care to ensure that all WanderTours incorporate genuine interactions with the locals as well as opportunities to go beyond what a larger group tour can provide. Our groups are small (generally 10-15 people) and that means we can be more agile and accommodating than larger groups.

Make this the year you visit India!

Travel Well!

Beth

Related links:
North India Women-only Tour
North India Photo Gallery
South India Women-only Tour

Varanasi is the holiest of cities in India and it’s the Ganges River that flows through the area. It’s where pilgrims come to worship. It’s where the sick and elderly come to die. And it’s where family members bring their dead family members – so that they may be cremated at the ghats (steps) that lead to the river.

An early riser, I love walking along the ghats in the morning as the sun comes up. Few people are out pre-sunrise, so it’s quiet. Not too long after the sun comes up however, hundreds (if not thousands) of people come to the river to bath, brush their teeth, do their daily puja (prayer) and get cleansed in the water. (Note – this is NOT advisable as it’s the same river where dead bodies float by and garbage is liberally tossed.)

Pilgrims also come to get their hair cut. I’m pretty certain that this is not your run of the mill Supercut. I’m sure there’s a significance to it, I just don’t know what it is!

While I initially thought this was Buddha, I stand corrected and this is Shiva. See the first comment below…

Interested in experiencing India for yourself? Check out the Women-only North India Tour this fall!

Travel Well!

Beth

Related Links:
Sunflower in Seattle
Moonstruck – Photo of the Day
Flying High