south india - worldwidequest.com · • eating like a chettinad, india’s finest cuisine •...

Join renowned chef Vikram Vij on a culinary journey across South India.

Lush tropical landscapes, neat colourful villages, world-renowned temple complexes, and gorgeous heritage accommodation complement our focus on the rich and varied cuisine of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. South Indians are famously not afraid to experiment with their food, merging old traditions and discovering new recipes. Enjoy hands-on cooking classes, hosted cooking presentations, guided tasting walks in markets and bazaars, and meet chefs and food producers who are passionate about their craft.

A multitude of varied settings enhance our experience; from the Life of Pi’s Indian Cote d’Azur in Pondicherry to the thriving technicolour temples in the power centre of Madurai, the extravagant courtyard mansions of Chettinad, the fragrant spice gardens and tea plantations of Periyar and the enchanting backwaters of Kerala.

Vikram will provide his interpretation of what you see and taste and share his vision of importance of food in the continuity of cultural practices.

IF A GENIE GRANTED YOU ONE WISH, WHAT WOULD IT BE?For Indian food to be a staple of everyone’s culinary repertoire. – Vikram Vij, quoted in Trek Magazine, Winter, 2017

WORLDWIDEQUEST.COM/ALUMNIUBC | TOLL-FREE 1-800-387-1483 / 416-633-5666 | [email protected] | 491 KING ST. E. TORONTO, ON M5A 1L9

TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS BY:

SOUTH INDIAA UNIQUE, THOUGHTFULLY CURATED CULINARY ADVENTURE BY VIKRAM VIJ | FEB. 20 – MAR. 4, 2020

Open toalumni UBCand friends

STUDY LEADERVikram Vij is an Indian-born Canadian chef, cookbook author, and television personality. He is a passionate supporter of the sustainable food industry and has championed many causes including the Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Wise Sustainable Seafood Program and the UBC Farm. His dedication to the work done at UBC resulted in the funding and opening of Vij’s Kitchen, a state-of-the-art culinary facility at UBC’s Faculty of Land and Food Systems dedicated to teaching the chefs and nutritionists of the future about ethnic food and cuisine. In recognition of his many contributions to the Vancouver community, he was awarded an honourary doctorate from UBC in May, 2016.

Photo credit: Aaron Aubrey

WHY TRAVEL WITH THE ALUMNI UBC

TRAVEL CLUB?

• Eating like a Chettinad, India’s finest cuisine

• Becoming an expert in Indian cuisine in four cooking classes

• Visiting spice plantations in Periyar

• Sampling Pondicherry’s Franco-Indian cuisine

• Relaxing on your luxury houseboat in tropical backwaters


Chennai

Kochi

SRILANKA

INDIA

Pondicherry

PeriyarMadurai

Tanjore

Kumarakom

Chettinad

Thursday, Feb. 20: Arrive Chennai Upon arrival in Chennai we are met by our local representative and transferred to our luxury hotel. Overnight: The Leela Palace, Chennai

Friday, Feb. 21: ChennaiStart the day with a guided walk along the bazaar trail, walking through the bustling marketplaces of the Georgetown area. This afternoon, explore the colourful Sowcarpet neighbourhood, tasting street food and getting street smart about communities that have contributed to Chennai’s culinary scene.Overnight: The Leela Palace, ChennaiMeals: Breakfast, Welcome Dinner

Saturday, Feb. 22: Along the Coromandel CoastDrive south along the coast to Mamallapuram to visit the magnificent Shore Temple dating from the 8th century. Continue on to the former French colony of Pondicherry; the city was under French rule until 1954 and now reflects a bohemian-chic feel with quiet cobbled streets lined with mustard-yellow colonial houses. Take a walk with our guide this afternoon through the Tamil Quarter; along the way we’ll introduce you to some of the foods the locals love to eat. Overnight: Palais de Mahe, PondicherryMeals: Breakfast, Dinner

Sunday, Feb. 23: Cooking in PondicherryPondicherry cuisine reflects a fabulous mix of influences blending local Tamil spices with French ingredients. Today we’ll walk out the food market with our chef and then roll up our sleeves with a cooking class of Pondicherry specialities including a fish curry and a yummy carrot dessert. This afternoon is free to explore on your own; ‘Pondi’ is easy to navigate and there is a huge selection of galleries, museums, and shops to enjoy. Overnight: Palais de Mahe, PondicherryMeals: Breakfast, Lunch

Monday, Feb. 24: Rural life at Chidambaram and Kumbakonam Today we explore rural settings, first visiting Chidambaram, an important 12th century CE Chola temple with exquisite sculptures of dancing women. In the village, visit the legendary Vedic school that has produced scholars since 1542 to hear their meditative chanting and meet artisans weaving Pattu silk and painting Kalamkari fabrics. Sample Kubakonam’s signature filter coffee, prepared using the best coffee beans and fresh milk – a South Indian must! Over dinner this evening the chef will share the medicinal and gastronomic uses of his favourite spice – turmeric. Overnight: Mantra Koodam, KumbakonamMeals: Breakfast, Dinner

Tuesday, Feb. 25: Tanjore’s magnificent temple complexOur drive today takes us inland to Tanjore, to visit the World Heritage-listed 1000-year-old Brihadishwara Temple, where thousands of people worship in the vast, ochre-coloured complex. This is the ‘rice bowl’ of Southern India; we’ll visit rice paddies in villages along our route. Later, enjoy the quiet little village of Kanadugathan, in the Chettinad district, the cultural home of the Chettiars who made vast fortunes abroad in the 19th and 20th centuries and outfitted magnificent mansions back home. We’re staying in one of these splendidly restored mansions for two nights.Overnight: Visalam, ChettinadMeals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Wednesday, Feb. 26: Chettinad’s fabulous mansions The Indian adage has it that “one is lucky to eat like Chettiar”. Food in Chettinad is one of the most distinctive in the country, using a set of spices including star anise, peppercorns, cinnamon, bay leaves, and nutmeg plus unusual local ingredients. Today, join the ladies of the kitchen to prepare some traditional dishes then relax by the pool this afternoon or join your guide to explore the lost grandeur of the nearby villages.Overnight: Visalam Hotel, ChettinadMeals: Breakfast, Dinner

DETAILED ITINERARY


Dried fruits and spices

Mansion in Chettinad


Thursday, Feb. 27: Madurai’s Fish-Eyed Goddess Madurai is one of the oldest cities in India, a metropolis that traded with Ancient Rome. At its centre is a massive Hindu temple complex dedicated to Meenakshi, the “fish-eyed goddess”. Visit the temple to admire its pyramidal towers swarming with thousands of garishly colored figures of gods, demons, and animals, while inside priests perform rituals at multiple shrines, and worshipers seeking favors from the gods pay their respects in most unusual ways. This evening, experience an exciting hosted tuk-tuk safari, visiting the best street stalls for local cuisine, under the watchful eye of our local gourmets. Overnight: Taj Gateway, MaduraiMeals: Breakfast, Lunch

Friday, Feb. 28: Across the Western Ghats to Periyar Set off across the rolling hills of the Western Ghats to our gorgeous resort in the heart of the Periyar spice jungle. The chef at Spice Village is a staunch supporter of the 50 mile diet; all the ingredients for meals come from a 50 mile radius of the resort and a good bit comes from just 50 yards away. Vegetables are ground at the organic farm, fish is fresh from the river, and the spices are everywhere. Join the chef this afternoon for a cooking class focussing on Kerala regional cuisine. Overnight: Spice VillageMeals: Breakfast, Dinner Saturday, Feb. 29: Periyar’s spice gardensVisit nearby spice plantations - pepper, cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon are all cultivated here – to learn about the medicinal and culinary properties of each. Tea is another of Periyar’s famed exports. The undulating hills of Kumily, a short drive from Periyar, are home to a number of tea plantations. We’ll visit and learn what it’s all about from plucking to processing to tasting. Overnight: Spice VillageMeals: Breakfast, Dinner

Sunday, Mar. 1: KumarakomHead out toward the sea and the tropical setting of the scenic ‘backwaters’. Stop for lunch at a local toddy shop, a drinking establishment where palm toddy, a mildly alcoholic beverage made from the sap of palm trees, is served with the traditional fish curry. Stay for two nights at a luxury resort, an interplay of coconut groves and backwater canals, with old wooden Keralan homes transplanted, preserved, and cherished. Overnight: Coconut LagoonMeals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Monday, Mar. 2: KumarakomSyrian Christians of Kerala, according to tradition, are descendants from the converts of St. Thomas. Their particular cuisine is rich and varied; a blend of cooking traditions of Portuguese, Dutch, Syrian, Arab, Chinese, and native Keralan. This morning, we’re guests of a Syrian Christian family for a cooking class, preparing a traditional lunch. This afternoon, we board two small river boats to cruise through this super-scenic lush green landscape; the houses and villages that line the canals make the journey seem like another world. Overnight: Coconut LagoonMeals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Tuesday, Mar. 3: KochiHead to Kochi this morning to explore the city’s intriguing mix of ancient mosques, Portuguese houses, a 400-year-old synagogue, the remains of the Raj, and giant fishing nets from China by the waterfront. This afternoon prepare some signature dishes with our chefs, then celebrate our journey with a Kathakali performance, the traditional dance of Kerala, before our farewell dinner together.Overnight: Brunton Boatyard, KochiMeals: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner

Wednesday, Mar. 4: Depart KochiJoin the hotel’s chef for an early morning harbour market visit and enjoy a little last-minute shopping before transferring to the airport for homeward-bound flights. Please ask us about extending your stay in India.Meals: Breakfast

Note: The itinerary and accommodation described in this tour brochure are subject to change due to logistical arrangements and to take advantage of local events.

Houseboat in backwaters

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TOUR DETAILS

What’s Included:• Airport transfers for passengers arriving and departing as

per the group itinerary• Accommodation based on double occupancy in hotels listed

or similar• Meals as indicated in the itinerary• All internal transportation by private coach• Sightseeing with qualified English-speaking guides• All activities and entrance fees• Four cooking classes• Special food experiences• Kathakali dance performance• Taxes and gratuities (for guides, drivers, hotels, restaurants) • Fully escorted by your Worldwide Quest tour director

Not Included:• Airfare from your home to join the tour• Visa fees (obtained prior to departure, US$80)• Meals other than those mentioned above• Beverages with meals• Fuel surcharges, if applicable• Travel insurance• Excess baggage charges• Items of a personal nature• Additional arrangements required due to any emergency

or other situation

Payment Details:A non-refundable deposit of US$500 per person is required to reserve a space on this tour. A second deposit of US$1000 is due six months prior to departure. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure.

HOW TO BOOKPlease contact

Worldwide Quest.

1-800-387-1483


Tour Cost (per person): US$8495

Single Supplement: US$1995We would be happy to try to match you with a suitable roommate. If we are unable to, the single supplement will apply.

Group Size: 14 – 20 participants

The University of British Columbia Alumni Association will not be responsible for the financing, the arranging, or the conducting of these tours. They assume no liability or responsibility for damages or financial loss to person howsoever arising from the negligence, omission or otherwise of travel services arranged through Worldwide Quest International. Refer to the General Terms and Conditions established by Worldwide Quest International with respect to participating in this tour.

TRAVEL WITH ALUMNI UBC

It’s your travel experience.

Indulge your curiosity as we take you to unique places you’ve always dreamed about.

UBC experts and knowledgeable local hosts provide context. That allows you to develop a deep connection to the people you meet and the cultures, cuisines and landscapes you’re exploring.

• Best value in educational travel• Meaningful local experiences• Thoughtful itineraries

See our complete list of tours at:WorldwideQuest.com/alumniUBC

WHAT TO EXPECT

Joining InstructionsThis tour begins with your arrival to Chennai on February, 20th. As most flights from North America arrive in the late evening, no activities are planned for this day. All travellers arriving on the start date of the tour will be met on arrival and transferred to the group hotel. This transfer is included in the cost of the tour. When you book the designated pre-trip accommodation with Worldwide Quest, your transfer from the airport to our group hotel on arrival is included. If you are making your own pre-trip arrangements, this transfer can be provided at additional cost. The tour concludes with your complimentary transfer from the hotel to the airport on March 4th.

Level of Activity: ModerateA good level of fitness is required to enjoy this trip. You should be able to walk up to three hours at a time over uneven terrain both in rural areas and in crowded cities. In some places access to temples and forts is only on foot with some steep ascents. Shoes must be removed to enter some temples. Should you have any questions about your ability to take part in this tour, please give us a call.

AccommodationWe are staying in a mix of Western style hotels and restored heritage inns. We begin our trip at the luxury Leela Palace Hotel in Chennai and concludes with two nights at the deluxe Coconut Lagoon resort and a final night at the equally fabulous Brunton Boatyard in Kochi. Our hotel for one night in Madurai is a four star level Western hotel and in Kumbakonam is a historic restored cottage setting. Where we stay longer (in Pondicherry, Chettinad, and Periyar) we are staying in particularly lovely inns that beautifully reflect the character and charm of their locations.

Transportation We will be travelling in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle driven by a professional driver. While roads are mostly paved except on rural back roads, there are few divided highways, therefore, we cannot expect to cover distances as quickly as we might in North America. There are some long driving days but roadside scenery provides a quintessential Indian experience.

WeatherWe expect sunny skies and lovely warm weather throughout our South India trip. Temperatures will likely range from highs of 30°C to overnight lows of 20°C .

Travel Documents: You will require a passport for this trip. Please ensure it is valid for at least 6 months beyond your scheduled return home. You will require a visa for India which must be obtained prior to arrival. This visa can be obtained online; we will provide instructions for you.

Travel Advice Before booking, please refer to the Canadian government website to obtain travel advice for the destination(s) you are visiting: www.travel.gc.ca

Terms and ConditionsFor additional information about our terms and conditions, please refer to your booking form, the current brochure or our website. All participants booking with Worldwide Quest are covered by the terms of the Ontario Travel Industry Act (Worldwide Quest International, Ontario - License # 2667946).

Cancellation PolicyAll payments are non-refundable, however you may transfer your initial deposit for any land tour to another tour 90 days or more prior to your scheduled departure date. Initial deposits for cruises are non-refundable and non-transferable. Your second payment and your final payment are non-refundable and non-transferable. If you cancel within 90 days prior to trip departure, all associated trip costs are non-refundable. The tour price is quoted as a package. No partial refunds or credits will be given for services not used. In the event of a cancellation, you must notify Worldwide Quest immediately and in writing.

Travel InsuranceWe urge you to ensure that you have adequate cancellation and medical insurance in place, should an unexpected event cause you to cancel or interrupt your trip or should the tour not be operable per our terms and conditions. We will offer you Manulife insurance coverage. Medical insurance including emergency medical evacuation coverage is mandatory on all our tours.

ADDITIONAL INFO

TICO#: 2667946
