On India
If you get thirsty ask your driver to stop at a coconut stall at the side of the road. Around 12 Rupees you will get a freshly chopped natural thirst quencher and it's delicious too.

On India
On early morning game drives in Ranthambhore ensure you wrap up warm and make sure you get a blanket from your hosts as it can be surprisingly cold.

On India
Try to experience a local Hindu festival, however big or small. This is a great way to see real people and observe the way they go about their religious life.

On The Maldives
No need for too many shoes, this is a bare foot paradise with powder soft sand - you simply will not need them!

On The Maldives
Snorkelling is a must here! Complimentary snorkels and masks are provided at all resorts, so don't worry about bringing your own.

Biography

ENLARGE

Stuart's career in the travel industry began ten years ago and this gave him his first contact of the Indian subcontinent with a tour of Sri Lanka and the Maldives. He was blown away by the diverse culture and the wonderfully friendly people of these magical islands. India as a country has fascinated Stuart from a very early age, having grown up looking at old photographs of several generations of his family during the time of the Raj. He first experienced India by ship in 2005, arriving into the city of Bombay which captivated him from the second he walked through the port gates! Since joining Audley Stuart has returned to India and travelled from the Golden Triangle of the North, all the way down to the Backwaters of Kerala in the South. In his spare time Stuart likes fell walking when back in his native Lake District, swimming, theatre and of course travelling.

My Most Memorable Experience

One of my most memorable travel experiences has to be whilst in Sri Lanka, when I visited one of the holiest of Buddhist temples, the Temple of the Tooth at Kandy. According to legend, the tooth was taken from the Buddha as he lay on his funeral pyre. It was smuggled to Sri Lanka in 313 AD, hidden in the hair of a princess. The peace, tranquillity and serenity of this location immerses you from the second you enter, and the soft sounds of bells as the locals enter to pray is beautiful. Combine this with the smell of jasmine all around and you are guaranteed an unforgettable experience.

My Favourite Destination

Munnar

Munnar has to be one of my favourite destinations in south India. It is an incredible journey through the most picturesque, lush green scenery of Kerala. It lies at an altitude of 5200ft in the lap of the Western Ghats and was the favoured summer capital of the south during the colonial British days. Munnar offers long plantation walks through wonderful surroundings, peace and tranquillity and a total escape from the hustle and bustle of the towns and cities of India; it is beautiful and serene and somewhere you just will not want to leave.

My Favourite Accommodation

Imperial Hotel

The service is refined, the décor outstanding and the food delicious. A museum and gallery in its own right. This is the hotel in which Mountbatten, Gandhi and Nehru met and stayed in order to discuss the partition of India and the creation of Pakistan. This hotel houses many historical pieces, including the busts and golden thrones of King George V and Queen Mary. If you aren't lucky enough to be staying here then you must try and fit in a lunch, dinner or afternoon tea to soak up the colonial luxury and explore the walls and corridors which make fascinating viewing.

Photos of Me

Photos Taken On My Travels

The rest of the Indian Subcontinent team

Abigail

Kate

Alison

Ben

Carol

James

Niall

Sian

Sophie

Tom