SAWERA Fundraiser: Almost sold out!

We only have a few tickets remaining for our SAWERA fundraiser on October 3. If you are interested in attending, please let us know. Tickets are $65 and include a formal Indian dinner, dancing, and entertainment. There will also be a silent auction that includes some fantastic packages, including a trip to India. We look forward to seeing you and thank you for supporting an end to domestic violence!

Kerala: 100% computer connected!

Starting in November, all of Kerala will have access to internet access, making it India's first state with high-speed connectivity in every village.

Currently, Kerala boasts around 1,450 villages. The project is an undertaking by the state government to make the state 100% e-literate. When the campaign started last year, all but approximately 175 villages had broadband connectivity. Only nine villages, in inaccessible areas, remain to be connected.

According to the Memoirs of India blog site, "Broadband connectivity also provide services like eFiling of income tax returns, getting online applications of the public services examinations, and getting application forms for various purposes from the websites of the state government."

Kerala is one of the most popular Indian states for tourists, and our Sublime Kerala tour is a favorite among clients. 100% internet connectivity is sure to set an example for other regions in India, and we are excited to observe the technological expansion!

A testimonial - before the departure!!

I recently received this client testimonial that beautifully articulates how Sodha Travel does more than just coordinate the travel details:

"And people ask why to use a travel agency? Let me tell you why I not only use a travel agency, but I use Sodha Travel - an agency that I call my "one stop shop" for all things India. Your company goes beyond booking the hotels, flights, tours, and transfers. You promptly answer every email and phone call I have about about weather, clothing, currency, and gratuities. When I asked about wifi, I received a form with the availability and cost of wifi at each hotel on my itinerary. And yesterday, without asking, you sent me a list of restaurants in each city on my itinerary that serves food suitable to my dietary needs. Need I say more? This is all even before I depart! Would I ever receive this level of service from a traditional online site, or even another agency? Not only are your prices very fair for the services offered, but there is no question you can't answer about India. To me, that says it all. This is the second trip that I have booked with your agency, and I have returned to tell you that you continue to exceed my expectations. Well done. Very well done."

Melinda
Tampa Bay, Florida

We thank you, Melinda, for your kind words!

Travel Reviews

Recently, an AOL Travel column highlighted the do's and dont's when reading travel reviews. It is all too common that travelers read certain reviews of properties and destinations, only to be given misinformation or unreasonable expectations.

Almost daily, clients contact us with specific hotel requests based on online reviews. We always encourage travelers to do their research, but also recommend the guidance of professionals. More often than not, the hotels that clients request lead to disappointment while the alternate properties exceed all expectations.

Our advice is to diversify the online research. Go beyond the standard sites of tripadvisor.com, hotels.com, and travelpost.com. Talk to your friends and family and make a list of concerns and possibilities. Then, discuss it with a travel professional. It is our job to plan the best trip for you from an objective perspective. After all, we don't want you to have our experience - we want you to have your experience!

2010 Commonwealth Games: Delhi, India

The Commonwealth Games will be held in Delhi, India from October 3-14, 2010. For the past few months, we have been receiving inquiries about the best time to reserve accommodations and services. The answer is now! Some hotels are already at full capacity and others are quickly selling out. Tours, transfers, internal flights, and hotels are also being rapidly reserved in areas around Delhi, particularly Agra, Ranthambore, Samode, and Rajasthan, to name a few. India is expected to see a surge of visitors, many who will attend the games and then continue their travels throughout the magnificent subcontinent. Furthermore, because the games are held only one month before Diwali on November 5, many are finding an appeal to arrange their travel in conjunction with the festivities. If you plan to attend the games and/or visit India during this festive time, we encourage you to coordinate and reserve your travel plans as soon as possible.

Thank you for submitting your stories!!

We would like to thank those who took the time to submit their travel stories for our call-out. We read through some unbelievable moments - some funny, some compelling, some heartbreaking - but all demonstrated how an unexpected experience can change the way we view the world.

Traveling is a multifaceted relationship: a relationship with other people, a relationship with other cultures, and ultimately a relationship with ourselves. If we allow the experience to transpire - if we are open to the connection - travel provides an opportunity to develop a deeper relationship with our own spirit.

We are now in the final phases of publishing and will keep you posted on the details.

3rd Annual SAWERA Fundraiser

SAWERA, the South Asian Women's Empowerment and Resource Alliance, is an Oregon-based non-profit that provides free, confidential, and culturally sensitive services to South Asian women and children who are the victims of domestic violence. We invite you to attend the 3rd Annual Fundraiser at the beautiful Benson Hotel in downtown Portland, Oregon. The last two years have been an overwhelming success in raising money for our programs that directly benefit the women and children. Thank you for your support!

October 3, 2009
7pm - midnight
Benson Hotel

Formal Indian Dinner, Music, Dancing, and Auction
21 and Over

Tickets are $65/person and available online

We hope you can join us in supporting SAWERA's mission: to support and empower the South Asian community experiencing domestic violence in Oregon.

Happy Independence Day!

On August 15, India celebrates it's 62nd Independence Day! For those of you in the Portland/Seattle area, I encourage you to attend India Day on August 16.

India Day
Pioneer Square
Portland, Oregon
11am - 9pm

Free Admission!

Food, music, dance, and entertainment in celebration of India's heritage.

I will be volunteering at the SAWERA booth until 12pm. SAWERA is an Oregon based non-profit that provides free, confidential and culturally sensitive services to South Asian women and children who are the victims of domestic violence.

Come by and say hello!

Featured Tour: Taste of India

"Indian food contains spices so colorful, so flavorful, that your mouth competes with your eyes."

We invite you to explore India's history and traditions through the art of food. Our Taste of India tour is quickly becoming a favorite among travelers. The opportunity to fuse Indian culture and cuisine is enticing - especially at such an affordable price!

9 days/9 nights
Mumbai - Cochin - Bangalore - Hyderabad - Delhi

Savor India's culinary heritage on a journey from South to North. Each city presents an exceptionally diverse taste and preparation of regional dishes:

Mumbai: Konkoni

Cochin: Ayurvedic

Bangalore: Coorgi

Hyderabad: Biryani

Delhi: Kashmiri and Mughlai

Each tour includes superior hotel accommodations, airfare and transportation within India, guided excursions with entrance fees, breakfast and dinner daily, culinary lectures and demonstrations from local experts, airport transfers, and more.

Please click here for more information.

Why should I use a travel agent?

There are many myths that circulate about travel agents:

"Travel agents really don't know as much as the average consumer."

"Travel agents won't offer as many options because they only have contracts with particular vendors."

And the most popular:

"If you use a travel agent, you will pay so much more. It is a waste of money."

With the internet housing endless options for researching and booking generalized travel, why should you use a travel agency? I believe there are many valuable reasons - for purposes of time, I have prioritized the top three, as it pertains to Sodha Travel:

1. Expertise: Online booking engines, including Orbitz, Travelocity, and Expedia, provide an avenue for travelers to find generalized deals. However, if you are seeking a customized itinerary, or specialized information on a particular region, the sites lack possibilities. Sodha Travel specializes in India and Nepal - it is what we know and what we love. We can provide options that are unavailable on other sites, including house visits with the locals, an Ayurvedic cooking demonstration, or a private tour of a Bharatanatyam dance academy. If there is a hotel or flight that is showing sold out online, most times we can confirm the reservations. Furthermore, we can answer your questions about train schedules, currency, vaccines, visas, restaurants, water filtration systems, and more.

2. Value: Let's be clear. There is a significant difference between "value" and "cheap." As John Peters, President and CEO of Tripology stated, "If you want cheap, then sure - hit the web and take risks... You get what you pay for." Believe it or not, many people who come to us are surprised at the affordability of using an agency. Why? We have inside connections with vendors, hotels, and operators that are unavailable on published sites. Furthermore, there is the value of time. For many, planning an itinerary in India and Nepal is a complex endeavor - some spend weeks researching and googling only to become overwhelmed by the options. We eliminate the burden of train schedules, trekking permits, and airport transfers so you can focus on what is most important: the experience itself.

3. Advocacy: Sodha Travel is here to assure you have a memorable experience. We are your advocates. If you wish to make changes to your itinerary, we explore the options. If your flight is cancelled 24 hours before departure, we step in. Does a hotel booking need to be extended, train tickets changed, and/or transfers rescheduled? Do you need to access local authorities or the nearest embassy? With associates both in the United States and India, you always have someone available to assist you. Above all else, we provide a detailed list of contact names, phone numbers, and a 24 hour emergency line throughout your trip. It is our philosophy that peace of mind is just as important as the logistics.