TESTIMONALS - WHAT OUR GUESTS SAY
Our guests’ stories and testimonials reflect the transformative experiences and lasting memories made on our creative retreats.
We’re proud of the connections we foster and the inspiration we share.
What we offer
This was my 2nd trip, and I’m already waiting for next year to be announced!
We explored our creativity in wondrous surroundings. I feel totally inspired from the experience, lucky to share it with lovely people, and came back with a deeper understanding of India.
It’s the most amazing experience – fun, well organised and full of opportunities you would not be able to find if travelling alone in India.
Narendra our guide took good care of us. Always waiting to greet us at reception in the mornings and very kind. And the specialist guides are unique – and give the most amazing tours.
Cinema was FABULOUS **************
A great way to immerse yourself in Indian culture and try out new crafts – it’s addictive – take a spare bag for all the wonderful things you will want to buy!
Gill Martin
Last year’s holiday was hands down the most fun I’ve had on a holiday in years!
I have travelled twice with Louisa and both times I’ve had a wonderful experience. If you want to be immersed in the joy, colours and culture of Rajasthan you will love this tour.
I adore India and if you travel as a Creative Trailer you can sit back, relax and simply immerse yourself in the wonders of India.
Thank you so much Louisa and the team x
Felicity Denholm
This was the trip of a lifetime!
Months later, I’m still re-living it—experiencing people, places, and things off the beaten path, as John Denver said. it “filled up my senses”
I would follow Louisa anywhere! She is a responsive, interested, delightful and organized trip curator. She does her homework and makes complex travel easy for the rest of us! Charlotte’s teaching style was inspired – artists of every level and interest could find plenty of opportunity to be creative. Our primary guide Narendra was a dream. My fellow travelers were utterly delightful! I’m looking forward to our next Creative Trail adventure together!
I left this Creative Trail experience with a very clear knowing -and loving – of who I am as an artist. I realize I don’t create the way others do, I don’t see what others see, or focus on what they focus on… And we can each see what we want and create how and what we want without any need to change, compete, copy, or be anyone other than who we are! I appreciate that I could take that away from my Creative Trail journey. It speaks volumes about the freedom provided to create.
Lucia E
This Creative Trail Art and Craft holiday fulfilled my long-cherished dream of seeing the wonders of Rajasthan. As a small group, we were able to explore the treasures of medieval palaces and learn about the efforts to preserve centuries-old crafts by talented artisans.
If you want to explore India’s fabulous artistic past, and some of its present, and avoid (occasionally) some of the tourist hordes, this is the tour for you!
And the food was great – thanks to prior knowledge of our guides!
Anne Swan
Our craft trip with The Creative Trail felt like a one-off, incredibly special experience. It was expertly curated to shine a light on the rich craft traditions of Rajasthan.
As guests to the region, we were able to fully connect to this unique culture through workshops, visits to museums and historical sites, by meeting craftspeople and tasting regional dishes.
The tour is thoughtfully produced, with support from insightful guides to share local knowledge and plenty of inspiring activities, while being perfectly paced to enjoy every moment. We will carry vivid memories of a wonderful trip – and the colour, sounds and sights of India!
Charlotte Surrey
Truly an extraordinary journey. the experiences were deeply immersive and inspiring.
Such varied itinerary and fully supported.
I loved every moment and can’t wait to join another trip soon!
Lita Chesterton
I had the most wonderful time!
Everything was taken care of for me.
Fellow travelers were fun, interesting and great traveling companions.
The restaurants were excellent and family style eating was fun!
I would highly recommend it.
Alice Gutierrez
A wonderful experience with like-minded people exploring art & culture organised by genuine, knowledgeable people who are passionate about what they do.
Claire Gaffney
A well organised and exhilarating tour which took us to some magical places with a lovely like minded group. India and the tour did not disappoint disappoint.
Sarah Graham
It was everything I hoped it would be – and more! Louisa’s hard work in organising the tour, her attention to detail and her delightful guides made it a truly memorable experience.
It was a real joy to have the opportunity to take part in the crafts and learn about the history of both the crafts themselves and the region.
The colours, smells and sounds of India will stay with me, along with the companionship and friendliness of Louisa and the others on the tour,
Jenny Bond
I think it was excellent for a person travelling on their own. Despite the chaos of India everything ran very smoothly and we experienced Jaipur in many aspects from the tranquility of the Alsisar Haveli to the rickshaw rides into the traffic of the city.
The hands on experience of the block printing and understanding their processes and how the village functions as a centre of this craft was fantastic
Charlotte Irwin
The holiday was very well organised, with no trouble spared on behalf of the participants, good food and accommodation, helpful guides and an excellent variety of experiences.
I loved the block printing, painting on location, the amazing, elegant havelis. Meeting and working with miniature artist and photographer Rajesh Soni in Udaipur was a highlight, as was eating at Narendra’s restaurant!
Angela Goodman
I’d like to say that I had an amazing time in Rajasthan and went to places and did things that I wouldn’t have done otherwise or on my own. I felt that the trip was superbly organised and we had a jam packed itinerary which we could dip in and out of accordingly.
The trip was amazing with lots of little highlights, such as the cinema, palaces, food etc . I appreciated staying in local Havelis and loved getting all the tuk tuks too.
I absolutely loved the block printing in Bagru as well as the other workshops we did. It was particularly special to be able to buy scarves etc that had been made and printed in the Dabu village. That was something I probably wouldn’t have done without your preparation and knowledge.
I loved all the people on the trip and it was interesting to meet a range of people from different backgrounds. I feel we all got on together very well.
Maggie Betton
I have now been on 2 trips with you and am looking forward to the 3rd next year!
I have loved Rajasthan with so many highlights … the travel, new experiences, colour, seeing it from different perspective. Udaipur temple by the water, Bundi Palace and place as a whole, Amber Fort, Stepwells. The markets, flower and veggies, street scenes. Religious aspect including Jaipur temple, fables and stories at Bundi. Sounds and smells, talking to different people/guides.
“missing you already!”
Brilliantly organised. Took the hassle out of the logistics – we certainly made the most of the two weeks! I enjoyed your company, it was a memorable trip, laughed, had some great conversations.
Can’t wait for the next one.
Lucy Mann
Louisa – you are a SUPERSTAR!!! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
The trip was brilliantly organised.
There were so many highlights -roof top sketching with the sun going down in Udaipur, walking the streets of Bundi + Udaipur watching everyone at their business, the vibrancy of the colours, smiley faces, welcome of the people, architecture against bright blue skies, incredible buzz, Amber Fort sketching on the roof courtyard, seeing the craftsmen at work in the back streets of Jaipur.
LOVED the Indigo printing and the block printing.
Jenny Woodman
Very well organised, Lovely group, will definitely keep in touch with some of them.
Louisa’s organisation absolutely brilliant. Well prepared and always helpful. I was impressed!!
Narendra and the other specialist guides and coach drivers were all fantastic. Mud printing was a highlight.
Birgit Ackroyd
The trip was excellent on all fronts.
It was a wonderful opportunity to experience a part of India while getting used to expressing yourself creatively. Inspiring workshops, beautifully curated experiences and the expertise of people who know India well.
I enjoyed all the activities. I loved working with the pigments and collage papers. Bundi had the magic. I loved the Palace there.
The trip was thoughtfully arranged to provide a full spectrum of activities and experiences.
Lauren Linowitz