Valentine’s Day is near. Romance is in the air! Out here in the land of Kamasutra, bah, we don’t have much use for these Roman rituals. But what the heck, all of us should grab the op for a quiet vacation. Our list of idyllic getaways contains some truly romantic places that must figure, as well as quirky or peaceful spots!
Strange, mysterious Mandu, with its crumbling, mossy architecture & ghostly monuments is a forgotten kingdom. It is famous for its Rupmati Pavilion that celebrates the star-crossed love of poet-prince Baz Bahadur for a beautiful Hindu singer, Rupmati. As the story goes he wooed her by building the pavilion & attached castle and invited her to marry him.
No romantic getaway list is complete without this timeless symbol of love. The Taj Mahal is for lovers. Especially the Taj on a moonlit night -- unforgettable, enchanting.
By almost any yardstick, Khajuraho is the most romantic, erotic destination in the world. The shining sandstone temples of this remote town -- which wax a pale pink at dawn and a mysterious white in the moonlight -- are some of the greatest in India. Their intricate erotic sculpture -- short acts straight out of the Kamasutra – are positively captivating.
Nestled in serene hills near the Myanmar border, Mizoram's tranquil capital boasts white churches, bamboo forests. It’s a rather long journey due east to take for a romantic weekend. But why not?
Once half of India either honeymooned in Goa or Kodaikanal, and Goa was swamped. But the sunny coastal escape of Palolem in south Goa could not be more lovely for a lovey-dovey interlude.
A rather unlikely destination for a romancing couple. More for a super-adventurous duo. A few days in the cool, dark, tiger jungles of the Sunderbans, in the delta of the Ganga and you’ve left the rest of world behind. Enjoy your stay in cosy forest cottages.
When you approach the royal town of Wankaner, situated smack in the middle of the scorched plains of Saurashtra, a fascinating palace appears like a mirage on the horizon. Draw closer. Its elaborate turrets, arches, sandstone curves, clock tower are visible. Don’t hesitate to walk right into the Raj Vilas with your suitcases. This is where we suggest you put up.
The most romantic way to see mile after mile of Kerala's lagoons -- shaded by thick groves of palms, that meander past two huts-and-a-coconut-palm hamlets, white churches, temples, mosque, iridescent green paddy fields, behind betel nut farms, around floating markets & below tiny picturesque bridges -- is to glide along in a houseboat. A luxurious, once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Hidden in the heart of misty Coorg coffee country is a little known and little visited island sanctuary called Nisargadhama. Located in the middle of the Cauvery river, the quiet bamboo forests are home to parakeets, woodpeckers and bee-eaters. There are a few cute homestays nearby.
A tiny hill station, a stop on the toy train route, in the blue hills of western Tamil Nadu was perhaps christened Lovedale in a fit of nostalgia by its British founders; maybe the countryside was reminiscent of the foggy rolling dales of Scotland. In any event what better destination to recommend for a tryst than a town called Lovedale?
This quaint, old fashioned town, off limits to cars, retains a unique charm. A cute toy train up the hillside (grab a window seat) is one way of getting there. Perched 800 metres above sea level, on a ridge of the Sahyadri mountains, Matheran has some fantastic lookout points and paths for lovers.