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ttglive.com
homestayknowledge
SAMPLE PRICES
Tucan Travel offers several homestay options including
as part of tours in Peru and Vietnam. In Bolivia, seven
nights in a family home plus daily Spanish tuition in a
local language school costs from £219 including three
meals a day.
■ tucantravel.com
Explore’s volunteer tour of Cambodia combines Phnom
Penh, Angkor Wat and a coast stay with renovation
work at the Khmer Village Homestay Project. Prices
from £1,800 per person including flights, four nights’
homestay and nine nights’ hotel accommodation.
■ explore.co.uk
Travel 2 offers a homestay at Cathedral Inn in New
Zealand. The property has an outdoor pool and enjoys
views over Nelson. Guests have a TV, CD player and
A TASTE OF HOMESTAY
internet access in their rooms. Prices are from £57 per
person per night including breakfast.
Tea, turmeric, families and fasting were just some of the topics
■ travel2.com
Debbie Ward discussed with her hosts during two homestays in India
difference is greater. Agents booking this I was trying to narrow down showpiece is the large walled
type of accommodation should be aware the common ingredient garden, a respite from the
that standards can vary. that gives Indian food its honking horns of Jaipur.
Christopher Hill, managing director of distinctive taste. It was a contrast to the
Hands Up Holidays, which offers homestays “Onions?” my host Devra homestay I’d visited the
in conjunction with its volunteering Anuradha suggested. “Garlic? previous night in Udaipur.
programmes, says clients may have to be Coriander?” I shook my head. Jaideep Chauhan, one of the owners Devra is on Udaipur’s rural
prepared for a language barrier, outdoor It was when she mentioned of Madhu Pushp Bhawan homestay outskirts which meant tran-
toilets or limited hot water. “Part of the fun that all the delicious okra, quil views of surrounding hills.
is adjusting to how the locals live. In some chicken and potato dishes she’d made contained My fascinating host, Major Durga Das, said
cases that may mean an early night because turmeric that I knew I’d found the X factor. he had asked a deity for guidance when he left
there’s no electricity, and early starts with Mealtime chat is a key part of the Mahindra the army. “He gave me the answer: “You will
roosters crowing at ungodly hours.” Homestays experience with hosts joining guests earn your living from this place’.” It’s a role he
Newly launched Mahindra Homestays around the table. During my homestay at and his wife have taken up with passion.
offers a gentler option. Each of its 50-plus Madhu Pushp Bhawan in Jaipur, as well as “Tourists in a five-star hotel can never get
homestays in India, even in rural areas, Indian cooking, I discussed festivals, fasting, what Mahindra will give them,” he enthused.
include en-suite guest accommodation. colonialism and families with my charming I agree. I’d forgo a minibar for good
Head of business development Vimla hosts Jaideep and Anuradha Chauhan and their conversation any evening in India.
Dorairaju explains how the homestay extended family. After dinner we looked
concept differs from B&B. through wedding albums. Anuradha was Madhu Pushp Bhawan, Jaipur, costs £40,
“From what I’ve heard the B&B owner photographed during the preparations wearing while Devra, Udaipur, costs £64. Both rates
prefers you to get your breakfast and get a thick yellow face pack. What was the secret are for a room and breakfast. Other meals
the hell out, whereas we’d like you to stay ingredient? “Tumeric!” she laughed. and sightseeing can be arranged for a charge.
around!” But she adds: “It’s not invasive; Madhu Pushp Bhawan is a beautiful home full Mahindra bookings are commissionable.
when you want quiet you can have your of antiques, family photos and decorations. The ■ mahindrahomestays.com
quiet, when you want to chat you can chat.”
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