Rani's Spice Tours
South India Food and Heritage Tours
Many people have an interest in visiting the Indian subcontinent but aren’t sure where to start. Is it better to follow the crowds on the well-known tourist track or go alone or is it better to go join a smaller focused group?
The north and south of India are strikingly different places and the differences can be surprising to newcomers. India is a federal union comprising 28 states and 8 union territories, with each having its own regional languages, cuisine, attire, customs, and artistic expression. One of the predominant differences between North and South India is the climate. The north is landlocked, and the Himalayas are a major factor in the climate. South India is bordered by the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean, resulting in a more tropical climate. Due to the long coastline, seafood plays a large role in the food of the south. The south is also a region of coffee drinkers with the coffee of southern India being among the best in the world.
A second important difference is the languages. The languages spoken in North India belong to the Indo-Aryan family which is closely related to modern European languages, primarily Hindi, Urdu, and Punjabi, while the languages of the south are mainly four major Dravidian languages: Telegu, Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada. These languages evolved nearly 5000 years ago and are presently spoken by more than 240 million people. Dravidian languages are unrelated to languages of other Indo-European linguistic families.
The cultural influences from trade and invasion were experienced very differently in the northern and southern parts of India, resulting in a wide variety of history to explore. The south has a Dravidian heritage with huge and ornate temples, mesmerising dance forms and a strong Carnatic music tradition. It is also home to many archaeological wonders, such as Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu and the ancient village of Hampi in Karnataka. South Indian culture and cuisine has evolved over many thousands of years, with many ancient practises continuing into the modern day.
Food is an essential aspect of visiting a new country and the differences can be overwhelming at times. Rani walks you through the unfamiliar flavours and textures on your plates and introduces you to the simple, yet intricate experience of eating in southern India, a juxtaposition of colours, flavours, and textures, eaten from a banana leaf with your fingers. In Kerala alone, food has not only been influenced by Portuguese, English, Arab, Dutch settlers but also religious beliefs. Various Hindu communities, as well as Christian, Muslim and Jewish communities all have their own styles and preferred dishes. Under our expert guidance, guests can experience several food cultures through interaction with local experts.
Part of our mission is to help preserve the ancient cultures, foods, and traditions of India and one way to do this is by visiting and experiencing the work of local artisans, and through our visits, contributing to the maintenance of ancient structures, all of which tell a story about our history. Guests in search of something different are led off the well-worn tourist track and brought into our homes, for a more intimate experience of India. As we engage with small, family-owned hotels and businesses, we can take your dietary requirements into consideration and ensure that you have the best food experience possible.
Rani’s upbringing greatly reflected her ancestral culture with Tamil language and Indian dance being subjects at school and her family highly involved in temple activities. She is very familiar with travel in India as a whole and greatly enjoys introducing others to the places closest to her heart. Rani has introduced her culinary heritage to the greater Brisbane area, drawing crowds to her food adventures. Join her where it all started.
Rani’s Food and Heritage Tour October 2023
Ranis Grand Kerala Food & Heritage Tour 2024
