Just Us - Escape Somewhere Together
One of the predominant travel trends of 2019, not surprisingly, is traveling off the beaten path. Indeed, the sheer joy of being at a place that is not teeming with tourists lends a whole new meaning to a vacation or a getaway. You can simply prop your feet up, can recharge your batteries and rejuvenate your soul by reveling in the joy of doing nothing.
If you’re looking for the perfect
spot for that
romantic getaway for two or considering a locale that is not too crowded, these perfect places will win your heart at first sight. Whether you want a cozy home away from home for rest and relaxation or somewhere where you can both indulge in some adventure, we have you covered with these 5 getaways that you can escape to - perhaps even over a long weekend.
- 7 Pines, Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh
7 pines
It is easy to vanish into nature in Kasauli, a heavenly hill station that inexplicably loses out to Shimla in popularity. 7 Pines is described as an 'English Retreat' on the website of Leisure Hotels, the group that owns it. It is as English as English could get. Right from the country cottage architecture, to the ditsy floral prints on the bed linen to the menu (apple crumbles, English Roast chicken are in-house specialties) and even the services provided by the staff (who will leave hot water bags in your rooms while you eat dinner at the in-house dining area).
Located just 5.5 hours away from Delhi, 7 Pines with its Colonial ambiance, offers cozy and comfortable double bedrooms with their own verandahs overlooking the Shimla Hills and pristine pine forests. The home has a beautiful living room and an elegant study with all the comforts of luxury property and is also equipped with a modern kitchenette where the in-house Chefs prepare a traditional homely meal using fresh vegetables, hand-picked from the kitchen garden and local spices from the region.
7 pines
Cherries and Plums is an indoor seating restaurant with a fine dining ambiance and a range of delicious multi-cuisine dishes. The Hazel Terrace is a dining option for nature lovers. The chefs' platter up delicious cuisines that can be enjoyed with a view by our guests on the open terrace lounge. Promising you one of the most memorable and alluring experience, right in the heart of nature, this boutique 'hotel' - if you insist on calling it that - will make sure you take home pleasant memories of stay and adventurous time spent at the hotel. This home away from home is a retreat secluded on top of a magnificent hill giving you a perfect setting for that calming yoga session or that greenery-absorbing nature walk. The quaint colonial touch given to the homestay rejuvenates you from the daily hustle and bustle of the city life. While at the property, you can indulge in recreational activities like trekking, bonfires, or even enjoy a scenic twilight during the Hi-Tea sessions accompanied by live music by talented local artists. The in-house activity team also assists in bringing out the boisterous side of you by helping you indulge in fun indoor games like chess, carrom, and several outdoor activities.
Here is where you can make bookings - https://www.leisurehotels.co.in/7-pines-solan-himachal-pradesh/
- Aahaana Resort, Ramnagar, Uttarakhand
Aahana
The name Aahana means 'first rays of the sun' and the laughing thrushes, mynahs, and koels that visit the numerous trees on this 11-acre property will certainly beckon you to the visual treat that a morning sunrise is - a far cry from the dull greyness of a cityscape. Situated at Sawaldeh village in the Semalkhaliya district of Ramnagar, Aahana resort is an eco-friendly property. Luxury reigns supreme at this elegant resort which features a unique collection of 40 individually decorated rooms located in different clusters.
The entire property has been landscaped with forest species and grasses to provide extended space to wildlife. One can see and listen to wildlife from the living rooms and other areas. The restaurant & swimming pool decks offer excellent sightings of wild elephants, jackals, and deer, besides the occasional wild boar.
Aahana
The in-house spa, Aarogyam has several therapies to invigorate the senses. The picturesque surroundings of the region and recreational facilities offered at the resort suit the requirements of travelers. Along its entire length on the northeastern boundary lies the famed Corbett Tiger Reserve. Tourist spots like Naveen Mandi Samiti (Approx. 7km) and Mansa Devi Temple (Approx. 11km) are close to the hotel. Other interesting places that can be explored during the stay are Garjia Temple, Ramganga River, and Corbett Museum.
All along the long stretched wall of Corbett National Park(Bijrani Zone), Aahana Resort is a veritable haven of wellness and rejuvenation for those seeking a luxury resort experience with the added advantage of a wildlife holiday.
It is seldom that you enjoy the goodness of a wellness holiday, along with the adventure of a wildlife retreat. Add to that the superb location and luxurious pampering - and you have a winning combination.
For reservations: www.aahanaresort.com; reservations@aahanaresort.com
- Lalit Mangar, Faridabad, Haryana
Lalit
The Lalit Mangar is a luxury getaway just an hour's drive from New Delhi - and a resort that is home to greenery, peace, flowers, fresh air and rather tame wildlife (in the form of a deer that visits the premises twice a day) in an area of about 677 acres. Located just off Faridabad, the resort is exquisitely designed using special rammed earth architecture, with natural raw materials like earth chalk and gravel in layers. In fact, its proximity, literal and figurative, to nature, is The Lalit Mangar's most unique feature. Rustic and yet luxurious rooms that all have spectacular views of the Aravali valley surrounding the resort are laid out with all contemporary amenities and services. Quaint
tapirs that serve tea in earthenware
kulhars promise to lift your spirits and the heady smell of
raat ki rani prove to be a salve for the soul.
Lalit
The staff at The Lalit also organise open-air 'concerts' and performances with local folk musicians. Speaking of which, they have a resident astronomer who will help you identify your own personal constellation or star - yes, that far away from smoggy Delhi, this is possible. Believe me, the experience IS ethereal! If you have a more 'hands-on' approach to spending a getaway, you can spend time climbing rocks, or being an apprentice to the in-house potter, cycle away in and around the premises or simply sit around the several al fresco spaces and watch time go by.
Make your bookings here: http://www.thelalit.com/the-lalit-mangar/
- Aamod Resort, Alwar, Rajasthan
Aamod
A couple's holiday at a stone's throw from home offers the chance of a quick romantic getaway - to discover oneself, in each other. 'Discovering' is a recurring theme at Alwarbagh by Aamod. From discovering chocolates in your spacious room to finding the solitude to serenade under a tree replete with blossoms - the options are endless. A two-and-a-half-hour drive from Delhi will take you to the historical town of Alwar - once known to be the gateway of the Rajputana. This is one of the oldest cities in Rajasthan. It was once a part of the kingdom of Matsya - and is believed to be one of the oldest kingdoms of the state. It was here in the city of Virat, the court of King Virat where the Pandavas spent the last year of their 13-year exile in disguise. Monuments named after the Pandavas still exist around Sariska. In the foothills of the Aravalis (where you can explore adventurous trekking) and close to the Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary (where a safari can be organised, on request) - will take you to Alwarbagh by Aamod - a resort that is as close to nature as it is luxurious. With 40 well-appointed rooms, personal attention (that is not at all intrusive), it is the perfect option for a quick and cosy romantic break. Spread over 7 acres, the resort portrays a heritage look yet offers all the modern amenities.
The Alwar Bagh is built in a heritage style amidst the lush green and pollution free atmosphere. Feel like royalty when you walk hand-in-hand through the
jharokhas and
aangans of the property. We strongly recommend a night at the terrace - to gaze at the stars - it will leave you at a loss for words! Do not hesitate the team at the resort to help set up a romantic candle-light dinner under a star-spangled canopy!
Talking about eating, the gastronomic experience is brilliant. While the continental spread is the chef's speciality, do dig into authentic Rajasthani fare as well. Should you want to explore the romance of the outdoors, there are a lot of places to see and enjoy in and around Alwar which include ancient temples, medieval forts, palaces and gardens.
Aamod which means 'joy' in Sanskrit lives up to its name, and Alwarbagh will add to the emotions of love and togetherness as you create a memorable getaway for your significant other.
For bookings, visit www.alwarbagh.com.
- Te Aroha, Dhanachuli, Uttarakhand
Te Aroha
While in Dhanachuli, the one place that you can make home has to be Te Aroha - that borrows its name from the Māori name of Mount Te Aroha. In a folk story of the Māoris, Rāhiri, the ancestor of Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu, climbed the mountain and saw his homeland in the distance and felt a sense of love (aroha) for it. So the name translates to "place of love".
A place of love it is, indeed. It is not really a resort. Not even a hotel. It is an experience. It is a former colonial-style summer residence - a place of warmth that can function as an ideal home away from home. Also, the fact that everything here is so lovingly curated, it is easy to understand why it is called 'Te Aroha'.
It is easy to fall in love with the idea of watching life float by - like the mist-laden clouds that roll in every evening against the background of the Nanda Devi range will mesmerize you. The staff at this gorgeous place of love will be only too happy to take you on a guided tour of the village. And if you are lucky, you will also be able to enjoy a warm meal at a local home. It is an experience not to be missed.
Te Aroha
What is a unique feature of Te Aroha and adds to its 'timeless' vibe is the Chitrashala - a fantastic museum dedicated to Bollywood memorabilia. But describing it as purely Bollywood would restrict its magnificence in being an extensive ode to Indian graphic art. The film memorabilia housed in this museum situated within the Te Aroha premises consists of posters, lobby cards, song booklets, show-cards, original artwork, stills and negatives and several other treasures. The film buff in me was over the moon! But cinema is not the only chronicle of culture. And this museum is also testimony to that. So there are a host of mythological calendar prints, some from the Raja Ravi Varma school of calendar art, a matchbox collection, a section on commercial posters and labels of clothing, crackers and what have you! This is a place you go to without any agenda, soak in the atmosphere and just allow all the stress to melt away as you celebrate the joy of being together.
Website:
http://www.tearoha.in
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