Discover fine, unique leisure experiences

The Taj Leisure Hotels, a part of Taj Hotels, Resorts and Palaces, today unveiled a series of initiatives that promise fresh and exciting holiday experiences across the country for the discerning, individual and family vacationers. This is in keeping with its mission to provide the modern leisure traveler with the finest and most unique leisure experiences, a warm and caring approach, and participatory leisure experiences with a local ethos.

Taking leisure holidaying to an all-new high, the Taj Leisure Hotels enhance holidays with distinctive experiences that allow the traveller to:

• Explore local cultures: Uncover the soul of the destination by discovering the paths less traveled. Discover life in the backwaters of Kerala, a spice plantation in Thekkady, the spiritual legacy of Varanasi, the 300-year-old tradition of block printing in Rajasthan, and other such fascinating activities.

• Exhilarate in the outdoors: Quench your thirst for excitement with river rafting in Cochin, rappelling, rock climbing, Tyrolean traverse, trekking, and cave expedition in North Goa, catamaran rides and deep sea fishing in Chennai, bamboo rafting on the Periyar Lake in Thekkady, or take a desert safari on camel or horse back in Jodhpur.

• Discover the spirit within Ayurveda: Yoga, meditation and herbal knowledge come together at the Taj Leisure spas to create a complete rejuvenation experience. Offering a selection of relaxation treatments, beauty enhancements and rejuvenation sessions that suit individual needs, each spa has been created to offer a suite of treatments for a holistic experience in harmony with its location.

• Savor fine cuisine: Each restaurant transports you to a new level of dining experience that offers an array of delectable Indian and world cuisines. Dine in a traditional kettuvallom boat or at an outdoor beach tent. Enjoy a romantic meal by the poolside, let your child be the guest of honor at the unique kiddies' restaurant, or have a traditional dining experience in a local village home or at a haveli with the owners. Each dining experience offers memories to take home.

• Indulge in luxury: Experience luxury at its best with rooms that offer spectacular views of the ocean, lake and gardens; rooms with a contemporary design combined with a distinct local theme; and suites and villas for the family.

• Pamper your children: Through exciting, fun-filled holidays that provide the best in children's activities ranging from sports, culture, environment, adventure, music and entertainment. The specially designed children's activities include kite flying, frisbee and ball games, yoga, story telling, pottery, dolphin watching, crafts with nature's products, treasure hunts, puppet shows, outdoor movie nights, magic shows and karaoke. Parents can relax, leaving their children in the care of the hotel, who will make sure that the younger guests have a holiday to remember.

Commenting on these initiatives, Jamshed Daboo, chief operating officer, Taj Leisure Hotels, said, "At the Taj Leisure Hotels, we have been continuously evolving and upgrading our products and services, to ensure the very best holiday experience. With these new additions and initiatives, we look forward to meeting the needs of every traveller, irrespective of their age, and offering them an opportunity to rediscover the Taj leisure experience."

Making these holiday experiences more inviting is the upcoming Taj Summer Holiday Offer. Spanning over 30 destinations in India, Dubai, the Maldives and Sri Lanka, the offers are valid from April 16 until September 30, 2004. The Taj Summer Holiday Offer has a wide array of packages, ranging from the de-stressing Taj Spa Holidays to the exciting Best of Destinations (Sri Lanka, Goa, Kerala, Rajasthan, the Nilgiris, Karnataka, Maharashtra and the famous Golden Triangle).

The Taj Leisure experience can be found across various exotic destinations, which include idyllic beach resorts, genuine palaces, turn-of-the-century garden retreats, hotels located close to historic monuments, pilgrim centres, and some of India's best wildlife sanctuaries. Each of these hotels offers an unrivalled fusion of world-class service and modern luxury.