Australian envoy launches luxury guide to Delhi

New Delhi, Sep.3 (ANI): The Australian High Commissioner, Peter Varghese, today launched the third edition of the book 'Love Travel Guides', which is authored by Fiona Caulfield.

The book has been comprehensively updated, expanded by 16 pages and now includes an introductory essay by acclaimed author, William Dalrymple.

"I am pleased to launch the third edition of Love Delhi. The book, authored by Australia-born Fiona Caulfield, comes at a time when this historic capital city and indeed India are marching forward. Delhi has expanding modern infrastructure side by side with rich tradition and a history of which its citizens are justifiably proud. This book is a celebration of Delhi and I congratulate Fiona on her book and wish it every success," said Mr Varghese.

"Delhi is a destination in and of itself' says Fiona. " It rivals Athens and Cairo for history, matches Washington for political power and now gives Paris and New York a run in terms of great shopping and eating".

This "must have" guide contains all the savvy inside knowledge that a stylish traveller craves. The passionately curated guide is designed for the discerning luxury vagabond who wants authenticity in style. The 168-page book, comprises eight sections including an overview of the city with 'must knows and must dos' and presents the best places to eat, drink, shop, be pampered, get fit and explore.

Unlike mass tourist books, using this guide is like being chaperoned by a good friend. The entries are 'love stories' sourced from in-the-know locals including chefs, artists, designers, architects, ambassadors, foreign correspondents and taxi drivers.

William Dalrymple, acclaimed author of City of Djinns and seven more award-winning books on India, opens the book with an insightful essay, where he shares an intimate view of Delhi - his home for the last 20 years.

The third edition of Love Delhi also contains mini destination guides to Agra, Jaipur, Varanasi, Amritsar, Rishikesh, Ranthambhore and Darjeeling.

As founder of Love Travel Guides, Fiona believes that falling in love with a city is just as exciting as falling in love with a person.

"Your senses become more engaged and you simply feel more alive," she says. "The simplest criteria for inclusion in the guide was 'does this place help you fall in love with this city?' If yes, then it was in; if no then, it was out. Simple."

The Love Travel Indian Series is part of the hugely successful Indian series, which comprises Love Bengaluru, Love Mumbai, and Love Jaipur, Rajasthan. Future Indian titles will include both cities and regions including Love Chennai, Love Kolkata and Love Kerala. Love Goa will be the next title and is scheduled for release at the end of 2010.

Love Delhi is now available globally. In India the book retails at Rs.1000. It is also available in a khadi and silk pouch for Rs.1200. The books are available in both lifestyle stores and bookshops. National retailers include Good Earth and Anokhi amongst others.

Ten percent of profits go to the Love Travel Foundation to support social and/ or environmentally conscious organisations. (ANI)