Maharajas' Express

Guest Lecturer: Media Personality Sir Mark Tully

The "Royal India" Journey on the Maharajas' Express from Delhi to Mumbai in April, 2011 will be accompanied by a very distinguished writer and broadcaster, Sir Mark Tully, who will offer his expert insights on Indian history and culture during a series of talks en route.

Sir Mark Tully, a renowned media personality and writer born in Calcutta, India, was the Chief of Bureau, BBC New Delhi for 22 years. Whether it was dodging the bullets on the India-Pakistan border, describing the poverty of Calcutta's street beggars, or detailing the aftermath of the Bhopal chemical disaster, he gave a unique insight into the life of the subcontinent. 

Still based in Delhi, he works as a freelance writer and broadcaster. His books include "No Full Stops in India," "Heart of India," "India in Slow Motion" and "India's Unending Journey." He was made an Officer of The Order of the British Empire in 1985 and was awarded the Padma Shree in 1992, a rare distinction for a non-Indian. He was knighted in the 2002 New Year Honors.

This tour departs on April 6, 2011 from the US.

Guest Lecturer: Broadcast Journalist Michael Buerk

Maharajas' Express is delighted to announce Michael Buerk, a multi-award winning journalist and broadcaster as our special guest lecturer on the "Royal India" journey from Delhi to Mumbai. The tour departs the US on March 16, 2011.

Michael Buerk is a notable British journalist who has won many international awards and is famous for his coverage of the Ethiopian famine for BBC news which alerted the world to the extent of the tragedy. 

He has won many awards, such as "Television Journalist of the Year" by the Royal Television, "Golden Nymph" at the Monte Carlo Film, the United States' "National Headliner" and "George Polk." Mr. Buerk has chaired, presented and contributed to countless television and radio programs.

Guest Lecturer: Chef Vivek Singh

Celebrated chef Vivek Singh will join the Maharajas' Express as guest lecturer on the February 2011, "Classical India" journey. He is the CEO and Chief Executive Chef of the Cinnamon Club, London. He is a familiar face on UK television with regular appearances on BBC's "Saturday Kitchen" and UKTV "Food's Market Kitchen."

Vivek opened Cinnamon Club in UK in 2001, winning many awards and establishing Cinnamon Club as one of the most famous Indian restaurants in the world.

His career includes work with The Oberoi Group of Hotels as a specialist in Indian cuisine — fast-tracked to become the chef of the Oberoi's flagship — Rajvilas in Jaipur at the age of 26.

Vivek is widely believed to be one of the most articulate Indian chefs of his generation, and goes "beyond authentic" with perceived boundaries of Indian food. He has written four books, his most recent book titled "Curry: Classic and Contemporary."

This tour departs February 17, 2011 from the US.

Guest Lecturer: Documentarian John Sergeant

A special departure of Maharajas' Express "Princely India" train journey will be accompanied by award-winning journalist and broadcaster John Sergeant. He will give talks on the train and be available for more informal discussion during the trip. 

John Sergeant joined the BBC as a radio reporter in 1970, covering news in over 25 countries. He then worked as a war reporter in Vietnam and Israel, and as political correspondent starting in 1981. He worked on a documentary called "The Europe We Joined" and has hosted BBC Radio 4 shows. Mr. Sargent was the BBC's Chief Political Correspondent from 1992 until 2000.

After retirement from political journalism, Sergeant's appearances on programs such as "Have I Got News For You" have made him a sought-after participant in television comedy and satire shows.

Sergeant has recently produced a number of documentaries, including a new two-part documentary about Indian railways "On the Tracks of Empire."

This tour departs December 29, 2011 from the US.

Guest Lecturer: Broadcast Journalist Michael Portillo

The Maharajas’ Express, has announced a special departure of its "Celestial India" journey in December 2010 accompanied by respected British journalist, speaker, broadcaster and politician Michael Portillo. He will give two talks during the trip and will be available for more informal discussion throughout the train journey.

Cambridge graduate Michael Portillo worked for the Conservative Party and for government ministers before entering the House of Commons in 1984. He was a minister for 11 years and had three positions in the Cabinet, including Secretary of State for Defense. He lost his seat at the 1997 election, and began to develop a career in the media. He returned to the Commons between 2000 and 2005 as shadow Chancellor.

Since leaving politics, Mr. Portillo has devoted himself to writing and broadcasting. He is a regular on both BBC1’s "This Week" and Radio 4’s "Moral Maze." He has made documentaries on subjects as diverse as Richard Wagner and Great British Railway Journeys, and has chaired the Man Booker Prize.

This trip departs December 15, 2010 from the US.

Guest Lecturer: Wildlife Conservationist Dr. DS Chavda

Internationally acclaimed naturalist and conservation expert Dr. Divyabhanusinh Chavda will give a series of talks aboard the Maharajas' Express "Classical India" journey, which departs the US on October 28, 2010.

Dr. Chavda is the President of World Wide Fund for Nature, India (formerly the World Wildlife Fund), a member of the Cat Specialist Group, and the National Board for Wildlife — the highest advisory body of the government of India for conservation of flora and fauna. He studied at the University of London, and is well-known throughout the world for his work on the history of lions in Asia. Dr. Chavda is also the resource person for the Harvard Museum of National History, and World Monuments Fund among others.