Craftours - travel your passion

TRIP-AT-A-GLANCE
OPTIONAL TOUR
ABOUT PAM
TESTIMONIALS

"I’m not sure just why I like visiting India so much. It’s uniqueness has to be a factor, the color is definitely high on the list of delight for me, as are the wonderful people we meet.
The aim of our tours is to give each person in the group a unique experience.
Our tours are based on ‘Textiles’ however we visit the famous sites as well, The Taj Mahal and the wonders in Delhi and Jaipur, the markets, the forts and the hustle and bustle of the city.
Our guests have the opportunity to purchase fabric that you would never see in the USA and have garments made. The bags are bulging on the way home.
Each trip is a little different to the next and we try to make it a memorable experience" – Pam Holland

PACKAGE INCLUDES:

Round-trip international airfare from New York City to India. (Airfare also available from your closets international airport for an additional fee. First/Business class upgrades are available.)
All taxes and round-trip transfers to and from the hotel.
First-class hotel accommodations in Delhi, Agra & Jaipur. (Suite upgrades available)
Private deluxe motor coach and driver.
Breakfast daily, some lunches & dinners.
Workshops with local artists in Indian Patchwork, Kantha and Textiles.
A tour of the extraordinary Amber Fort, including an elephant ride.
Extraordinary shopping at local markets for fabric, textiles, wood carvings, antiques, bangles, artwork and more.
Escorted by Craftours’ “Artist in Residence,” Pam Holland.
Photography enhancement workshop with Pam Holland.
Visit and tour of a Carpet Weaving Factory.
Visiting Red Fort and the incredible, Taj Mahal.
Sightseeing in New Delhi including Qutub Minar and a craft museum.
Block Printing and Dyeing workshops with master artisans.
A hands-on master workshop with Pam Holland.
The services of a professional Indian tour guide the entire time.
Optional tour of the Royal Palace Observatory.
Enjoy seeing demonstrations by artisans in Gold Embroidery, Gem Cutting and Indigo Dyeing.
Walking tour through the spice market and wholesale flower market.
Craftours lanyard, luggage tag and Morocco gift.
All taxes included, and travel insurance available and highly recommended.

INDIA HIGHLIGHTS:

Amber Palace

The Amber Palace, also known as the Amer Fort is located near Jaipur, and is a popular tourist attraction. Situated high on a hill, the Amer Fort is known for its artistic Hindu style elements. With its large ramparts and series of gates and cobbled paths, the fort overlooks Maota Lake, which is the main source of water for the Amer Palace.

Wood Block Printing

This hands-on workshop will take us to the home of a traditional craftsman, where we will learn about colors and the natural process of block printing.

Qutab Minar

Qutab Minar, is the 2nd tallest minar (73 metres) in India after Fateh Burj at Chappar Chiri at Anandpur Sahib. Qutab Minar originally an early Islamic Monument inscribed with Arabic inscriptions is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located in Delhi, the Qutab Minar is made of red sandstone and marble. Construction was started in 1192 by Qutb-ud-din Aibak and was carried on by his successor, Iltutmish. In 1368, Firoz Shah Tughlak constructed the fifth and the last storey. It is surrounded by several other ancient and medieval structures and ruins, collectively known as the Qutab complex.

The Red Fort

The Red Fort was the residence of the Mughal emperors of India for nearly 200 years, until 1857. It is located in the center of Delhi and houses a number of museums. In addition to accommodating the emperors and their households, it was the ceremonial and political center of Mughal government and the setting for events critically impacting the region.

Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal is a white marble mausoleum located in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. It was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal is widely recognized as "the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage".

Royal Palace Observatory:

City Palace, Jaipur

The City Palace, Jaipur was established at the same time as the city of Jaipur, by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, who moved his court to Jaipur from Amber, in 1727. Jaipur is the present-day capital of the state of Rajasthan, and until 1949 the City Palace was the ceremonial and administrative seat of the Maharaja of Jaipur. The Palace was also the location of religious and cultural events, as well as a patron of arts, commerce, and industry. It now houses the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum, and continues to be the home of the Jaipur royal family. The royal family of Jaipur is said to be the descendants of Lord Rama. The palace complex has several buildings, various courtyards, galleries, restaurants, and offices of the Museum Trust. The Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum Trust looks after the Museum, and the royal cenotaphs (known as chhatris).

Jantar Mantar - Jaipur

The Jantar Mantar is a collection of nineteen architectural astronomical instruments built by the Kachwaha Rajput king Sawai Jai Singh II, the founder of Jaipur, Rajasthan. The monument was completed in 1734. It features the world's largest stone sundial, and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The cost of this optional tour of the Royal Palace Observatory is $58.97 per person.

PAM HOLLAND

Textile Artist, Photographer, Author, Illustrator, Wife and Mother to 13 bambinos.

After a career as a photographer, and fashion designer Pam has been working in the quilting industry for over 25 years. She now travels the world teaching Textile Art and Photography. Her experiences in teaching and travel have been the inspiration for most of her quilts and has given her the reputation of shaping something new from the already established.

Drawing, writing and filming while she travels form the basic plans that she uses to create quilts when she’s home in the studio. Winner of the Jewel Pearce Patterson Scholarship for International Quilt Teachers. She has been awarded Best of Show in Houston and many other Quilt Shows. She's also making her very own adaption of the amazing Bayeux Tapestry.

INDIA TESTIMONIALS:

Linda Groth Olsen, Cokato, MN- "I was on the Craftours Tour to India in 2010 with Jinny Beyer. I had a fabulous time. Every detail very organized and researched out, from the first class accommodations, the wonderful sites we visited, the great food, our very good tour guides. I would highly recommend traveling with Craftours and I hope to be able to do so again someday..."

Elaine McKenzie, Ridgeway, ON - "It was an experience! Neither words nor pictures tell the story. It had to be experienced."

Adrianne Perry, Waitara, NSW - "I found the content of the tour was excellent. The places we visited, the monuments we saw and the hotels we stayed at were all wonderful."

Kerry Glen, Northland, NZ - "India was everything and more than that I had dreamed of. Exotic colours and flavours for all of the senses. The tour was a wonderful experience with quality visits on every day that were relevant to the group. Govind certainly took us to all the places where we could experience the rich Textile side of Rajasthan. It was fun getting to know other like-minded souls from different countries."

Kathy Goodin, Laurel, MD - "This was a fantastic tour with Govind who had obviously researched and planned wonderful excursions and events relating the culture to our interests."

Christine Donelley, Chapel Hill, NC - "An experience of Indian history, its peoples, its crafts, and countryside"

Susan West, Giralang, ACT - "I had a wonderful trip, really enjoyed India. The group was made up of Australian, New Zealand and Americans, we all got on very well."

Paula Golden, Blacksburg, VA - "This was a trip of a lifetime! From first class accommodations, care for personal concerns, interesting tutorials, fabulous sites... I can't say enough good things about this tour."

Patti Donnelly, Chapel Hill, NC - "I wasn't sure what to expect on this trip. All I knew is that my mom and I wanted to come back to India again for a very special trip. I can't say enough about what we got from this trip from the quality and care for the affordable cost to the expertise and variety of experiences while we were there. Each day was different and planned in such a way that we had busy days buffered by days with travel to the next destination. Even our meals were carefully planned. Not only were we well fed, we had the experience of tasting meals related to the different castes in India. Some points of interest on the trip were to be expected like the Taj Mahal, but some were quite unexpected like dinner at Amber Palace! Most importantly, our guide, Govind, infused every moment with the colorful history that makes India so beautiful, colorful, and treasured. The hands on experiences with tie dye, pottery painting, or wood block printing, gave us a deeper appreciation for the craft. For me as a teacher, it also gave me an opportunity to bring the experience back for my students to try. I felt like our needs were carefully attended to as individuals and as a group. I have no question that I would take another trip with Jinny Beyer, or any of our new found friends from this adventure!"

Ann McDevitt, Burlington, MA - "This was my second trip with Craftours. I had a wonderful time and everything went very, very smoothly. I will be signing up soon to take another trip with him."

Jackie Nelson, Greensboro, NC - "This was my 4th trip with Craftours. I get to go to the places on my Bucket List with people with my same interests while feeling safe and secure every second. Each trip has been amazing! Trying to decide which one I'll go on next year!"

Kate Golden, Stillwater, OK - "It was a wonderful trip! We got to experience various aspects of Indian culture and witness the colors and vibrancy of the country."

Mary Ann Hardee, Fayetteville, NC - "This trip was more than I ever dreamed it would be. No time was wasted, though we had down time if we wanted it. Each day was packed with opportunities I could never have arranged on my own. The group was delightful. Jinny Beyer (celebrity quilter) and Govind Agarwald each contributed so much to our experiences. For me, this was a homecoming. I not only visited places I knew and loved as a child, but I was introduced to places, skills and spiritual experiences that were new to me. I have been forever blessed. I'd go again in a heartbeat!"

Les and Karen Mersiades, Brisbane, AU - "The tour to India was the best group tour we have ever experienced. The leaders, Jinny and Govind were excellent and went out of their way to ensure our journey was a memorable one. We experienced more activities than were promised and certainly spent adequate time visiting the highlights of the tour. All the accommodations were excellent, the meals delicious and the tour bus comfortable. What more could you want? We will certainly be traveling with this company again."

Leonie Hillier, Blacktown, NSW - "I loved every minute of it! Even when i was totally exhausted and overwhelmed I would not have missed anything. I would love to see some other areas of India!"

Linda Lasson - "There were many things we did and many places we saw that made this craft expedition a grand adventure of a lifetime. The weather was hot and so was the food but the Indian people were so welcoming and friendly. I very much enjoyed the group of crafters who shared this adventure with me."

Melissa Sobotka - "This India trip was an intimate way to experience a country and its people, and see how their religion, rituals, passions, philosophies and daily life are expressed through the arts."

Ultimate Arts & Crafts of India Expedition - September 2017

Kathie Vaughn, Carmichael, CA - "This India trip was full of wonderful surprises, from the vibrant colors in clothing and markets to the welcoming smiles of native people. I was particularly impressed by the beauty and intricate texture of its historical buildings and with the range of interesting and colorful crafts we experienced. Craftours does a great job of organizing these trips and they don't skimp on accommodations, food, or transportation -- all first class!"

Louise Chiosso, Hemet, CA - "Tour was great!"

Susan Haftel, Gainesville, VA - "A well-planned and exceptional trip that included much exposure to the art of India."

Gwen Lafleur, South Jordan, UT - "The tour was well put together, as always, with great accommodations, and a nice selection of local crafts and tourist activities."

Suzanne Neilson, Toronto, ON - "I enjoyed learning about the wonderful arts and crafts of India, the accommodations were excellent. Our local guides, Govind Agrawal and Harshul Kothari were excellent, always helpful and knowledgeable about local customs and history."

Zoe Morning, Wausau, WI - "Very informative!"

Debbie McInnes, Niagra Falls, ON - "A great trip with lots of craft workshops and great excursions!"

Marsha Mowery, Fort Collins, CO - "This tour exceeded my expectations. Everything was handled with perfection."

Eunice Sutter, Pace, FL - "The overall trip was amazing!"

Lucy Harville, Central Point, OR - "I enjoyed the opportunity to go to India for a very reasonable price."

Maura Hibbitts, Broadalbin, NY - "This was a trip of a lifetime for myself and my husband! I loved every moment. Craftours did an amazing job organizing and finding such unique places for us to experience. I really liked learning from the local crafts people, and having the opportunity to try many of these crafts myself. What a beautiful country, a land of contrasts and culture, and generous and friendly people, and our tour really focused on that."

Lorraine Brown, Plainwell, MI - "Great trip! Mary Ellen was very helpful and assertive when getting to where we needed to be. And especially in helping me during my first experience with heat exhaustion! She made sure I was safe & got me water & sugar while the rest of the tour was able to continue with Govind! And Govind answered all our questions and gave us the opportunity to experience local customs we otherwise would not have experienced! Thank you so much!"

Albert Cote, Niagara Falls, ON - "You will never be disappointed travelling with Craftours! Every detail is looked after. The best hotels and day trips are always on the schedule. Excellent tour guides and craft classes are second to none."

Karen Gregory, Toronto, Ontario - "Wonderful places. Delightful people. So many beautiful things to see."

Kathy Hetdorn , Willoughby, OH- "What amazing sights in India. We saw both the Taj Mahal and beautiful palaces, then contrasted those with the small rural villages and city slums. Both coexist in an amazing country."

Katherine Chevalier , Foothill Ranch, CA- "OMG! This is a once in a lifetime trip! I loved the small group size (11), made a small cozy group! I loved the sights, fabrics, smells!"

Maree Rogers , New Plymouth, New Zealand- "This tour was amazing- I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. It was led by two expert people -Pam Holland and Govind Agrawal. They both had great knowledge and looked after us well. The tour was well tailored to suit the needs of the people on it- we all had an interest in textiles. This will remain in my memory as one of the best tours that I have done."

Nola Pearce , Rostrevor, Australia- "My Indian Experience far exceeded my expectations. Our Tour Leader, Pam Holland, was excellent and her textile knowledge was invaluable. The Indian Guide, Govind, was amazing. His knowledge and love of his country was inspiring and his network is vast. Our every need and all of our wants were attended to immediately. We had some down time most days so we could enjoy every aspect. The leaders interacted well and were very flexible with the programme. The coach driver and Govind’s helper were friendly, courteous and very helpful. Our small group of 4 nationalities integrated at our first meeting. We all looked out for each other. A wonderful, wonderful experience."

Linzi Upton , Brighton Farms Crathes, United Kingdom- "This trip was truly the experience of a lifetime with excellent guide/leader with so many different activities and places. Accommodation was first class and the small size of the group enabled everyone to get to know each other."

Meredith Smith , Mashpee, MA- "Best trip ever!"

Marcia Richardson, Jacksonville, FL - "The Craftours Textiles of India was awesome. For me, it combined the culture and the sights of India along with the textiles that are part of India. To experience the Taj Mahal was extraordinary----never did I think I would be there. Pam and Govind were excellent guides and so full of information which they shared with us. Being able to interact with the people of India was fun. Also to be able to see where and how the people live is one thing I wont forget. "

Margaret Winzeler, Harrodsburg, KY - "Our guide, Mr. Govind, was amazing. His history knowledge was incredible and he helped us immerse ourselves in the culture. The craftsmen we met truly love their art and were eager to share it with us."

Judy Valentino, Hales Corners, WI - "The tour was amazing, we had such fun. There seemed to be something to see or do every minute."

Helen Potts, Athelstone, South Australia, Australia - "The tours was great, Pam, Govind and our lovely bus driver Guru and his assistant were wonderful."