Sail the Backwaters of India on a Luxury Vessel

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**THE LUXURY **The Oberoi motor vessel Vrinda, which sails the backwaters of Kerala, India, shares the elegant appointments typically found in Oberoi hotels. Voyagers will spend three nights in one of eight timber-wood framed cabins, with picture windows providing views of the Alleppey Canal. Onboard, costumed musicians and dancers will provide insight into Indian culture. Separate excursions involve sailing on handbuilt rice boats to temples and traditional homes.

**THE VALUE **Readers can save 10 percent on trips from February through April; reduced rates start at $2,060 per cabin (based on double occupancy). Travelers from Mumbai receive two complimentary nights at The Oberoi, Mumbai.

**THE CATCH **Nonstop routes to Mumbai offer the easiest access from the States, but the hotel is more than 850 miles from the ship’s embarkation point, near Kochi, necessitating an extra flight.

**THE DETAILS **800/562-3764 (mention Smart Luxury Travel); oberoihotels.com

From the Winter 2010/2011 issue of Smart Luxury Travel magazine.