Marieke's Art of Living

Kashmir Holiday - It was a trip like no other. The opportunity to stay close to the local Gurjar people and experience their environment as they have lived for perhaps hundreds of years. Little or no technology with magnificent, pristine, wilderness landscapes makes for that rare connection with a way of life we have long left behind. To me this is what made this trek around Aru in Kashmir so amazing and enlightening. On returning home my memories of the mountains and all I experienced have flooded my dreams. Quiet reflection on the daily life we were privileged to be immersed in has heightened my appreciation of this very special tour. Johnny our guide was so passionate and dedicated to the beauty and cultural heritage of Kashmir, he could not help but leave us with a new found love for his people and his land.Of course the food was delicious, the company excellent and your co-ordination and support exemplary.Thank you for it all Marieke - a challenging holiday with meaning, warmth, companionship and immense educational value. It will live on in my memory for all the years to come.

Who would have thought, when we first travelled with Marieke's Art of Living in Rajasthan, that our group of close friends would return at regular intervals, increasingly curious to travel further and explore more deeply. Mother India has seeped into our souls.Our heartfelt thanks to you for such rich and memorable experiences on the inaugural “Sacred Passage to India”. It had all the hallmarks of the two magical journeys which preceded it. Meticulous planning and preparation, a well-balanced program, off the track locations with lovely hotels, and the best of regional cuisine, wonderful, well-informed local guides, Durga’s preparedness to debate any topic that arises.We know this doesn’t happen by accident but the passion you have for India and your desire to share your knowledge and relationships with your guests is rare. I always feel that we are at the centre of your thinking about the day, every day. It means you make subtle adjustments to accommodate individual preferences and needs that make all the difference to the experience.We love the surprises and the fun which results – an unexpected village restaurant full of locals, lunch or dinner in private homes of interesting people, an informal tuk-tuk ride, spontaneous birthday celebrations, a cooking lesson centred on street food. There was an invitation to visit the construction site of a glamorous new small hotel when its owner learned we were interested in architecture and their attempts to rescue dying craftsmanship. I recall the walk through Pondicherry with one of the city's senior planners who discussed the challenges of trying to save the French heritage. And of course occasional forays into the retail world where we are given privileged access to ateliers and studios, the result of your network of relationships built up over decades.Rather than disrupt the program these things enhanced it. Boredom is not an option on tour with Marieke!We had said this would be our last trip to India but that is not to be. Before we had left Kolkata we were already making plans for Kashmir and north India in 2023!

Having travelled extensively over the last 30 years, solo and with some very good operators, none can come close to the intimate knowledge and ability to take you on a stunning journey of discovery as Marieke does. India is her heartland and she does it brilliantly. I've been on many other trips with her but my exposure to that extraordinary land through her eyes remains indelible.All my other trips with her, including Northern Spain, Turkey, Normandy and the South of France had the same marvellous intimacy of small groups and great places to explore.

Marieke certainly delivered “Morocco the Magnificent” on our enriching adventure with her. As always, the itinerary was thoughtfully researched & cleverly curated to ensure an experience that delighted all of the senses and truly took us beyond the tourist veil to learn about, experience and appreciate this fascinating place. The diverse accommodation was part of the appeal and the varied culinary delights nothing short of sensational! Marieke made sure all our needs were well met. Each day held something special and memorable, often led by Marieke’s trusted local guides and knowledgeable people who immersed us in the culture, history and beauty of their cities or homes. Marieke’s passion for travel and sharing its delights is reflected in her welcoming and calm presence, not to mention entertaining tales, boundless energy and infectious enthusiasm. We would highly recommend her trips if ‘the joy of travel’ is what you seek!

We have had a wonderful and easy holiday in Sri Lanka, thanks to Marieke's Art of Living thoughtful planning.Indika was not only kind, courteous and a good and safe driver but knowledgeable and always helpful. We got on with him very well.Some of the lunches were real highlights - the lunch prepared by village women at Ailya, at Ena Da Silva’s house , with Jacques Soulie, who was an entertaining host and at Lunuganga. The boat trip at KK was terrific and the surprise afternoon tea with china and linen in splendid isolation on the island was a treat. The dinner at Jetwing Vil Uyana was an enjoyable experience.We loved staying at Tintagel, Ellerton Estate, KK and Fort Bazaar. Ellerton was faultless and Luca and Iromi were delightful hosts. We could have stayed there for a week. The accommodation at KK was very stylish and the food was excellent. Again we could have stayed there longer.We loved the train trip and being able to catch it from Gampola Station which had not changed since the days of the Raj.We felt the trip was very well organised with a good mix of sightseeing and free time.

Travelling in India during the pandemic is not for the faint-hearted, and there were many occasions I was grateful I had chosen Marieke’s Art of Living and her Indian ground company as my travel agent. They double-checked every time I had to cross a border to make sure we knew the latest public health requirements and that I could satisfy them. I felt I was in safe hands. On the plus side, India without foreign tourists was magical. I had mapped out a rough itinerary I wanted to take across Southern India and Marieke’s Art of Living smoothed it out, using their knowledge to suggest more days here, fewer days there. They suggested a car and driver rather than the train for one leg and organised inexpensive domestic flights for me, including dealing with the hassle of on-line check-in. In fact nothing was too much trouble, even advice on real estate when I got very enthusiastic in Fort Kochi! From the Andaman Islands, to Bangalore, to Hampi, to Mysore to Kochi the hotels chosen for me were superb. There is nothing like a great hotel in India, and Marieke’s Art of Living knows them all. As well as the itinerary, Marieke’s Art of Living provided me with notes on where to visit, eat and shop. These were travelling treasures.

I am grateful Marieke took the time and expended enormous amounts of energy to enable all of us to experience Saras grace and wisdom in our five day yoga retreat.My week held such treasures all gentle and informative.To acknowledge my journey over these very recent years of toil and application so as to allow my self time to rejoice and acknowledge the work completed. Before I continue my deep and prosperous journey inward to my true self.Saras created with your help a space of immense kindness and possibility a massive task as I can attest.You enabled a wonderful study event to unfold in a beautiful surrounding chosen as always with your discerning eye and appreciation for equanimity.I am so glad that I was free to attend it - meant a great deal to me to see you flying in the context of this relatively new path. You are unquestionably in the right place doing exactly what you are meant to be doing enabling others to find the light. Such a precious offering in this life.I loved my time with you = always fills my knowledge and curiosity on a raft of subjects.Thank you for the beautiful meal and the welcome that you always provide, deep loving sitting in my heart.

Marieke, thank you for facilitating a marvelous adventure.  We all benefited from the depth of your knowledge about our destinations and your expertise in designing a carefully curated itinerary. Guided by you, Muza and Dorji, access and immersion in the unique cultures of Kashmir and Bhutan was made possible. Beyond the knowledge acquired about Bhutan and Kashmir I learned so much from you about a myriad of subjects including food, literature, good health, yoga and travel to other places.  This trip was stellar, and will be the one to which all future trips will be compared.

Thank you Marieke's Art of Living for providing us with an opportunity to experience the rich history and natural beauty of Morocco. We were lucky to have a variety of wonderful experiences and leave having a better understanding of Morocco’s history, cuisine, culture, art, geography and geology. We travelled in a comfortable van from Casablanca, through Rabat the very modern capital, up north to Tangier, down to the medieval town of Fes and further south to the orange pink beauty of Marrakech, from the snow capped mountains of the Atlas and the Rif Mountains, to the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis to the reddish stony Agafay desert. Your local guides were generous with their time and knowledge. I felt safe to travel through busy souks knowing that the guides were there to make my shopping pleasurable, interesting and hassle free.The experience of travelling through the countryside gave us a more sobering perspective of Moroccan life. We drove through mud brick villages where donkeys and mules are the main form of transport and where there is often no electricity.Travelling through Morocco allows you to experience many different changes of landmarks, landforms and colours. Some towns and villages were whitewashed with brilliant blue trim, Fez was ochre yellow and it is essential that Marrakech’s buildings are coloured the orange pink that correspond to the nearby Atlas Mountains.The mosque is the focal point of villages, towns and cities and the call to prayer five times a day is a gentle reminder that we were in a muslim country.We were not just observers, we rode mules up into the mountains to meet up with a Berber family who provided a traditional lunch of vegetables and meat cooked in tagines over charcoal fires. We rode camels in the desert, took a horse drawn carriage in Marrakech, were entertained by expats and locals in their riads, their restaurants, their homes. We saw artisans use their age-old skills and were able to buy items directly from the craftsperson. We stayed in local riads and enjoyed the hospitality, the mint tea and the delicious meals provided by local owners. We also stayed a night in the desert and in a stylish hotel high up in the mountains.If I had my time over I would have wanted to see more of Morocco! No time is time enough to experience all that Morocco is! September is a good time weather wise. Not too hot or cold, just right! Thank you Marieke for organising a tour that was diverse, fascinating, informative and stylish.

Some of the best experiences of my life have been travelling with Marieke on tours in India and in Australia. No one curates an itinerary better than Marieke, with every guest showered in hospitality and personal care. From the exquisite boutique hotels, culinary experiences and daily itineraries through to the knockout cultural moments, vistas and sensory joys. Marieke has an unrivalled contact book to ensure impeccable guides, local knowledge and entrees to the best hospitality and travel experiences on the planet – allowing a deeper connection to place, to landscape, to culture and local communities. Her depth of research, lifetime of travel and passion for what she does is reflected in everything she does. She is sensitive to all ages, abilities and interests, always delivers incredible value for money and creates perfect small group experiences. Tony and I cannot wait to book another trip with Marieke.