Our Indian subcontinent specialists

There are few places as diverse as the Indian subcontinent, from the dusty deserts in India to monstrous mountains in Nepal and Bhutan and don’t forget the myriad of cities and towns that each have their own colorful heritage. I fell head over heels when I went to India for the first time, it really is a shock to the senses in the best way possible; the heat is hotter, the colors are brighter and the scenery even more dramatic, it really is intoxicating. These countries truly are only as special as the people that live there and that is always a huge focus of my trips, meeting the locals and hearing each one’s raison d’etre which all adds to the magic.

My first trip to India over 10 years ago really instilled in me a deep passion for the sub-continent which continues to draw me back time and time again. It’s my love of India that led me into the travel industry in 2009. I have a real passion for seeking out small, boutique properties and also sampling the local cuisine wherever I go, and there is simply no better place to do both than on the Indian subcontinent.

I lived in Mumbai in 2012 and have been back to India twice a year ever since. There is something about the country that gets under your skin. Being so extraordinarily large means that there is no terrain or climate you cannot experience. I have been skiing in Kashmir, riding in Maharashtra, trekking in the Himalayas, seen the deserts in Gujarat and enjoyed the beaches of the South. I love the sights and sounds of India, there is so much to learn and explore, I can’t imagine I will ever tire of it. Since joining Scott Dunn, I have also had the chance to visit Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Bhutan, and Nepal.

From my very first visit, I have been passionate about the Middle East and have since lived, worked and traveled the length and breath of the region. Whilst Oman continues to be my favorite Middle Eastern country, from north to south, the region is full of splendour just waiting to be discovered. I continue to be enthralled by the colors, cuisine and culture of India, from the lush landscapes of Kerala to the sandscapes of Rajasthan, and am always planning my next adventure there.

Sri Lanka has it all. Wonderful temples, gorgeous scenery, fantastic food, lovely beaches, amazing wildlife… I could go on! There really is something for everyone and there is a great range of hotels to choose from. I have been lucky enough to visit the national parks and have seen sloth bears, leopards, elephants, crocodiles and so many bird species. Sri Lanka also combines really well with the Maldives, which is utter paradise with some of the best resorts in the world.

For me, the Indian Subcontinent is one of the most varied and fascinating places I have been lucky enough to travel. From my backpacking days around the south, to my recent (and slightly more comfortable!) work familiarisation trip around Rajasthan, every time I visit this area I am blown away by the beauty, variety and color in this part of the world. My highlights have to include Udaipur in Rajasthan, northern India. The city itself is beautiful, set around a series of lakes and surrounded by the Aravalli mountains. For me, the real magic of Rajasthan is found in the rural areas outside the cities. For the ultimate indulgence, a trip to India or Sri Lanka is easily enhanced with a few days or more in the Maldives!