35 The Essentials: Delhi & Khajuraho, India

Delhi and Khajuraho reveal an India itinerary that can move beyond the classic gateway city and into a layered mix of history, wildlife, food, art, and cultural depth. Vivian Peres, Director of Ventours, joins as an India-based DMC expert with decades of firsthand experience designing high-touch travel across the region. The conversation explores how to position Delhi as a meaningful three-night stay, how Khajuraho has evolved from a one-night temple stop into a two- or three-night experience, and how Panna National Park adds a strong tiger safari component to the journey. Travel Advisors will hear practical insight on routing through Delhi, Varanasi, Khajuraho, Agra, and Rajasthan, along with guidance on seasonality, transportation preferences, private guiding, shopping, wellness, museums, and culinary experiences. Tune in for a sharper understanding of how to design India itineraries that feel personal, well-paced, and deeply connected to place.

Key Takeaways

  • How to position Delhi as more than a gateway city

  • When to give clients three nights in Delhi instead of two

  • How to fold Khajuraho into a first-time India itinerary

  • When to pair temples with tiger safaris at Panna National Park

  • Which client preferences to clarify before engaging a DM

About the guest: 

Vivian Peres is the Director of Ventours, a destination management company based in India. With more than four decades in travel, he brings deep expertise in designing complex, highly personalized itineraries across India and South Asia. His perspective helps Travel Advisors understand how logistics, pacing, transportation, guiding style, and special interests can shape a more successful India journey. 

Links and Resources:

Whitney Shindelar

Undiscovered Sunsets was a long time in the making, even if I myself didn’t realize it. During my time at the University of Northern Iowa, I studied abroad in New Zealand. Upon graduating, I bought a one-way ticket to France, lived with a French family and studied with classmates from Turkey, China, Russia, Germany, Italy, and everywhere in between. In 2010 I began teaching English as a foreign language. This job quickly took me to China, where English teachers were in high demand and within three years, I began working in a 5-star hotel, speaking Mandarin throughout most of my day. In total, I lived abroad for 7 years.

I consider Undiscovered Sunsets to be the perfect mélange of my personal experience traveling the world and my professional experience working in the hospitality industry.

I look forward to designing your next adventure!

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36 The Essentials: Western Sicily & Agrigento, Italy

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34 The Essentials: Porto & Douro Valley, Portugal