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Travel: A Royal Invitation

By Andrew Creagh

Posted on July 14, 2025

Join a once-in-a-lifetime LGBTQIA+ journey through India, including an audience with Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil, India’s first openly gay royal.

Rajasthani hospitality, opulent décor, and centuries-old architecture blend for a truly immersive dining experience at Alsisar Haveli, Jaipur.

By the time you step through the arched gates of a Rajasthani palace, drink in hand and marigolds at your feet, you’ll understand: India is not a place you simply visit, it’s a place that changes you.

This October, a small group of LGBTQIA+ travellers will take part in the very first Discovery Tour by Points Of Difference Travel And Events, a journey through the heart of India designed to shape what may become a signature annual experience. It’s called Prince And Palaces, and it invites travellers to go beyond the typical tourist trail, offering up-close cultural encounters, queer history, and a celebration of shared experience.

The 12-day journey, departing 6 October 2025, winds through India’s vibrant Golden Triangle and royal Rajasthan. Guests will stay in ornate heritage properties and charming boutique hotels, travel by private coach, and explore a blend of world-famous landmarks and lesser-known gems. Expect rooftop cocktails in Jaipur, spice markets in Udaipur, private cooking demonstrations, and dinner under the stars in a 17th-century palace courtyard.

Deogarh Mahal: this 17th-century palace in rural Rajasthan is now a boutique hotel where every balcony tells a royal tale.

But what makes this tour truly extraordinary is the audience with Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil, India’s first openly gay royal. A globally recognised advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights and founder of the Lakshya Trust, Prince Manvendra will host the group for a private visit to his family palace in Gujarat. It’s a rare moment of connection and cultural exchange that guests describe as deeply personal and inspiring.

This Discovery Tour is hosted by Adam Bold, founder of Points of Difference Travel & Events – the Australian company behind Gay Ski Week Australia and a growing collection of LGBTQ+ travel experiences. For Adam, it’s not about lavish luxury – it’s about meaning, connection, and community.

A Rajasthani local brings colour to the streets of Jaisalmer.

“This tour isn’t about ticking off landmarks, it’s about shared experiences,” says Adam. “Travelling together as an LGBTQIA+ group adds something really special: the ease of being yourself, the fun of shared discovery, and the chance to connect deeply, not just with each other, but with the communities we meet along the way. From village walks to palace stays, it’s the personal encounters and rich heritage that make this journey unforgettable.”

Whether you’re travelling solo or with a partner, the experience is designed to be intimate and welcoming, with the group currently capped at just 20 people. The itinerary includes accommodation, most breakfasts, ground transport, internal flights, expert local guides, and a range of unique hosted experiences.