Most Romantic Honeymoon Destinations in India

Are you longing to make your honeymoon special? Well, if you happen to live in India, you might consider yourself lucky as there are numerous romantic honeymoon destinations in the country.

Here, we discuss some of them.

1. Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand is called the “Switzerland of India” and there is every single reason for the place to hold the eminence. Uttarakhand is popular for its natural beauty which is conferred by the grandiosity of the Himalayas.
Another peculiarity of Uttarakhand where you’ll hardly find elsewhere in India is the pleasant climate throughout the year. Meaning, you can plan a honeymoon visit to Uttarakhand at any time of the year; just be a little informed/careful during the winters though.

Some of the most popular attractions in Uttarakhand include Nainital Lake, Tungnath, Valley of National Flowers, and Jim Corbett National Park.

2. West Bengal - Darjeeling

Wouldn’t you want to spend your honeymoon in one of the most beautiful hill stations in India? Well, it might seem surreal to you but you can do it. Yes, you can visit Darjeeling – a hill station in the state of West Bengal.

Darjeeling is a different world in itself; the quaint town is blessed with natural beauty by the Himalayas. The picturesque town attracts tourists all year round; Darjeeling is most popular for pleasant climate, heritage toy train, and British Colonial properties.

Honeymoon hotels in Darjeeling

During the British Raj, Darjeeling was the favourite summer retreat for English officers and therefore several boarding houses were established. Luckily, a popular boarding house, Ada Villa, located on the town’s promenade, Observatory Hill, has been restored and is now a fully-functioning Colonial hotel in Darjeeling known as Windamere Hotel – a one of its kind in the town.

3. Jammu & Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir is all about undulating beauty, no wonder the place is referred as ‘Paradise on Earth.’ The natural beauty of Jammu and Kashmir is complemented by meandering rivers, scalloped valleys, and snow-capped mountains.

The capital city of the state, Srinagar, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. Jammu and Kashmir is also a popular destination for honeymooners. Some of the popular places to visit in Jammu and Kashmir include Ladakh, Trikuta Hills, Srinagar, and Khilanmarg.

4. Kerala

There’s everything to adore about Kerala – lush greenery, exotic wildlife, cascading waterfalls, enchanting backwaters, and scenic hill stations. Make sure that you visit Thiruvananthapuram; the capital city of Kerala is a popular tourist destination with renowned attractions such as Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Kowdiar Palace, and Napier Museum.

Popular honeymoon attractions in Kerala include Kovalam, Cochin (Kochi), Munnar, Thekkady, and Kollam.

Indian Destination that Should be on your Summer Bucket List

Summer calls for a break, and the best way to rekindle summer joy is to travel your heart out. Here are some of the Indian holiday destinations that should be on your summer bucket list.

1. Nainital – Uttarakhand

As the focus of your summer travel is getting relief from the heat, you’d want to visit places that have a cool climate; and one such place is Nainital. The Himalayan resort town in the Kumaon region is home to several bewitching lakes, including the popular Nainital Lake, and Sattal.

Apart from the lakes, Nainital attracts a horde of travellers with its lush greenery. All in all, Nainital should definitely be on your summer bucket list.

2. Darjeeling – West Bengal

The best way to beat the summer heat in India is to visit Darjeeling. Unlike the rest of West Bengal, Darjeeling has its unique set of perks – the biggest being the pleasant climate during most of the year.

Besides the favourable weather, Darjeeling is closest to nature and you can experience all the serenity only in the picturesque town. When you visit Darjeeling, you are sure to be amazed by everything – the culture, local cuisines, natural beauty, and popular attractions.

Darjeeling is also popular for Colonial establishments which are reminiscent of the British Raj. Staying in one of these is the most rewarding experience that you can have. So, when you visit Darjeeling, make sure that you stay in the Windamere Hotel which is one of the best colonial hotels in India.

3. Pahalgam – Kashmir

Situated in the confluence of Sheshnag Lake and Lidder River, Pahalgam is a popular summer retreat and you should definitely visit the town to beat the summer heat of the plains.

Some of the popular tourist attractions in Pahalgam include Tulian Lake, Sheshnag Lake, Mamaleshwara Temple, Amarnath Cave, Kolahoi Glacier, Baisaran Hills, and Betaab Valley.

4. Munnar – Kerala

Munnar is another great respite from the sweltering summer heat and the town should definitely make way into your summer bucket list. There are a number of activities that you can do in Munnar including trekking, sightseeing, national park visits.

Munnar is also popular for picturesque waterfalls such as Thoovanam Falls, Pallivasal Falls, Power House Falls, and Attukal Waterfalls.

Lock Heart Gap, Anamudi Peak, and Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary are some of the other popular attraction in Munnar that are worth visiting.

4 Iconic Hotels with a Colonial Heritage

Colonial heritage hotels have their own perky old-world charm which is absolutely priceless. These hotels are reminiscent of the days gone by which we’d all love to treasure.

Here are the 4 iconic hotels with a Colonial heritage that lets you bask in the old-world glow.

1. Raffles – Singapore

Raffles is one of the most popular Colonial hotels in the world. It was established in 1887 by the Sarkies Brothers and got its name from the founder of Singapore, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles.

Raffles have had legendary guests including the likes of Rudyard Kipling, Charlie Chaplin, David Bowie, William Golding, and Ginger Rogers. The hotel is now a flagship property of Raffles Hotels and Resorts.

2. Galle Face Hotel – Sri Lanka

Galle Face Hotel has been considered as the masterpiece of Victorian architecture. The hotel was built by four British entrepreneurs in 1864. Apart from the staggeringly beautiful exterior work of Galle Face Hotel, the dramatic view of the Indian Ocean is what makes the Colonial hotel a one-of-a-kind.

Some of the famous personalities that Galle Face Hotel has had as guests include Mahatma Gandhi, Jawahar Lal Nehru, Prince Philip, Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg, and Yuri Gagarin.

3. Sofitel Winter Palace Hotel

The Sofitel Winter Palace Hotel (aka Old Winter Palace Hotel) is another popular Colonial hotel which is recognised worldwide.
Sofitel Winter Palace Hotel also has a reputation of having iconic guests – one of them being Agatha Christie. The hotel has 86 rooms and 6 suites which all cater to luxury.

4. Windamere Hotel – India

The epic history of British dominance in India is well known all over the world. During the British rule, numerous establishments were built in all parts of India, including Darjeeling.

As the town served as a retreat for English officers and the Bengal Government, a boarding house, known as ‘Ada Villa’ was built on Observatory Hill – a promenade possessing wonderful outlook advantages. The establishment was restored to its former glory a few years ago and is now one of the Asia Pacific’s truly authentic Colonial Hotels

The hotel now runs as smooth as ever it did before and caters to offers a Colonial experience not found in many places.  It is like “a home away from home”.

Book hotel in Darjeeling

Visitors from the West come to India for learning more about the British Raj. Darjeeling attracts thousands of international tourists every year with its Colonial charm. So, next time you visit India, make sure to book your stay at the Windamere Hotel – one of the best British Colonial hotels in India.

4 Family-Friendly Vacation Spots in India

If you are planning a family vacation, then you have to take certain factors into account – is the place (that you have planned to visit) safe? Is the weather of the place suitable? Does it fit your budget?

Well, for your concerns, we have tailored a list of family-friendly vacation spots in India.

1. Jaipur

A family trip has to be fun-filled and Jaipur is a perfect vacation spot for that. Jaipur is worth the visit if you have kids in your family as the city is a learning experience. Jaipur is rich in history and culture which reflected by the ancient structures galore.

September through to March is the best time to visit Jaipur. Some of the popular attractions of the city include Hawa Mahal, JantarMantar, Albert Hall Museum, Jaipur Zoo, and City Palace.

2. Gulmarg

What more can the children in your family enjoy than having fun in the snow? Gulmarg is a snow paradise in Kashmir which is best for a family vacation.  The town is popular as an amazing skiing destination in India.
Some of the outdoor activities worth doing in Gulmarg include cable car ride, skiing, and sightseeing.

3. Ooty

Ooty is complete fun package when it comes to family vacation. Parents and children, both can enjoy to the fullest in Ooty as the town is popular with renowned attractions such as Nilgiri Mountain Railway, Pykara Lake, Shooting Point, and Ooty Lake.

4. Darjeeling

A picturesque hill station is a great vacation spot to have an amazing family time. Darjeeling is one such hill station which is encompassed with surreal beauty. The tea plantations snuggle over the entire hill region which counterpart the blessed greenery of the town.
Spring and Autumn are the best times to visit Darjeeling as the climate gets pleasant. For making wonderful memories with your family, visit these places in Darjeeling:

• Tiger Hill
• Rock Garden
• Japanese Peace Pagoda
• The Unesco World Heritage Site – the ‘Toy Train’
• Observatory Hill
• Tibetan Monasteries

Hotel booking in Darjeeling

Choosing the right place to stay is very important for enjoying Darjeeling to the fullest. It is best to consider hotels in Darjeeling near The Mall Road – a promenade that overlooks the entire town. Windamere Hotel is situated on Observatory Hill, which overlooks the Mall Road and is one of the best not just in the town but in all over India as well.

The 3 Hotels to Stay in on Your Vacation in India

So, your next travel destination is India huh? How are you planning to make the most out of your vacation? Well, you can never get enough of fascination and magnificence when in India.

But, we believe that the hotel you choose to stay caters to your overall experience in the country. So, the hotel that you choose should provide you with an unforgettable stay for carving out wonderful memories.

Here are some of the hotels where you should consider staying in.

1. Four Seasons – Mumbai

Just like Antonio Vivaldi’s (Italian Baroque composer) concerto of the same name, Four Seasons in Mumbai is a class apart; it is one of the best hotels in India and you should definitely make your stay here.

Four Seasons Mumbai caters to a world-class hospitality to offer an exclusive stay to visitors. The hotel is well-known with the repertoire of providing free accommodation for pets (of the visitors).

2. Wildflower Hall – Shimla

Diversity in language, culture, ethnicity, and geography is what defines India. And one of the biggest perks of visiting the country is experiencing closeness with the Himalayas. To live that experience, you must sojourn at Wildflower Hall in Shimla. The city itself is one of the most popular hill resorts in India. Wildflower Hall is situated in a quaint place called Chharabra and visitors can enjoy utmost seclusion.

The hotel also offers several top-notch facilities such as swimming pools, sun beds, and spa. Visitors can even opt for adventure activities such as mountain biking, trekking, and archery.

3. Windamere Hotel – Darjeeling

You must have read in school how epic the history of British Raj in India was. Wouldn’t it be amazing if you could travel back in time and have a retrospective of the era? Well, technically you can’t do that but when you stay at the Windamere Hotel in Darjeeling, you can get very close to living the vintage experience.

During the British Raj, Windamere Hotel (previously known as Ada Villa) was built as a summer boarding house by English and Scottish tea planters. Unlike many other British establishments in Darjeeling (and all over India), Windamere Hotel has been restored and not renovated to preserve the old-world charm (which is rarely found elsewhere).

Book hotel in Darjeeling

So, when you visit India, come over to Darjeeling and book your stay at the Windamere Hotel – the best colonial hotel in Darjeeling and all over India.