Because Everybody Needs a Holiday!

Nothing beats a short break from the mundane routine, especially during a month when work is neck deep and all holidays fall on a weekend! And to give you that much needed holiday, we have something very exciting coming up. But more details on that later!

As for now, we’re keen on taking a breather from city life over the long weekends coming up this month. Avid traveler and one on a constant search for exquisite places to stay and explore, Shoba Mohan is opening her Little Black Book of rare and extraordinary destinations for us! From the Patan Mahal in rajasthan to Aalia by the Ganges, she has explored and stayed at these beautiful properties. If we could, we would travel to each and every one of these destinations. So mark the weekends of Janmashtami {Aug 10, 11, 12} and Id-ul-fitr {Aug 18, 19, 20}. August 15th falls mid-week; for the Delhi-waala’s with generous bosses or those lucky enough to be self-employed, treat yourselves to a long holiday. 

Based on driving time, given the traffic conditions on our highways, here’s are some idyllic getaway options: 

Three to Five Hours Drive from Delhi 

Patan Mahal {Rajasthan} | Patan Mahal is just over a three hour drive from Delhi right off the Jaipur highway surrounded by high Aravallis on one side and a private farm on the other. A private heritage home, Patan offers spacious and beautifully furnished palace suites and deluxe rooms. It is an ideal as a getaway from Delhi. The owner who looks into every detail personally supervises a guest staying here. Everything from the service to the cuisine is impeccable here. If you are the adventurous type, be sure to explore. They offer treks to the Monson fort that is on top of a hill, visits to craft centers in the village and walks to private farms. A package for 2 nights is at  Rs. 10,410 / – per couple 

For more information on the hotel, have a look at their website | www.patanmahal.com

Ramgarh Lodge {Rajasthan} | Ramgarh lodge was the hunting lodge of the erstwhile Jaipur royal family. It has been gorgeously re-invented to highlight its art-deco styling, interior and architecture. It has the distinction of being a Taj Geteway Hotel and is at an easy driving distance from Delhi and NCR with Jaipur just 45 mins away.

Set high on an embankment, amidst vast manicured lawns, lush tree canopies that flower and flourish and are open invitation to birds, it emanates a general sense of quiet and loose-limbed relaxation. Ramgarh is an ideal getaway over weekends or to stay unrushed even as you drag yourself away for Jaipur’s sites. If you are traveling with families you will love the luxury of apartment-sized rooms where a third bed would neither impinge on your space nor your pocket. The rooms and suites are seriously huge!

For more details, have a look at their website | http://wowtaj.com/the-gateway-hotel-ramgarh-lodge-jaipur.html

Narain Niwas Palace, Jaipur {Rajasthan} | The charm of Narain Niwas Palace is the estate it stands on- a ten acre grove in the middle of Jaipur city. It is like a green oasis that is in perfect harmony with the palace and its annex quarters. The atmosphere is charged with chirrups and fragrant air blowing through the myriad of plants and trees. Walking up the wide driveway, your first glimpse is of the Haveli, a typical marriage of Indian and British building styles – arches, columns, courtyards, verandahs, bold fresco design.

Narain Niwas offers 37 rooms and suites, adorned with period furniture and up-to date features. A swimming pool, spa, two restaurants, a bar and a chic shopping arcade promises an original cultural address in the city of Jaipur. Narain Niwas is noted for its fresh and delightful cuisine that is a combination of recipes from Rajasthan and northern India.

For more details, have a look at their website | http://hotelnarainniwas.com

Castle Kanota, Nr. Jaipur {Rajasthan} | A small town off the Jaipur-Agra highway, about thirty minutes by road from Narian Niwas, is Castle Kanota. This is still the Narain Niwas family’s residence and is set in a eight acre estate which offers 18 beautiful suites amidst extensive gardens and lawns.

Castle Kanota is ideal for activity-based programs like yoga, musical performances etc. It is also perfect for friends and family to have celebrations on a small scale.  

For more details, have a look at their website | http://hotelnarainniwas.com/castle-hotels.html

Four to Six  Hours drive from Delhi 

Aalia by the Ganges, Haridwar | Designed like a private farm house spread between mustard and rice fields in front and the Ganges flowing in the backdrop, Aalia is made up of twelve villas. Each villa is a self-contained unit with three suites, a study, lounge and dining. A restaurant that can cater to about sixty people, a cozy cigar lounge, a yoga deck, a river-side pool and a spa make Aalia the perfect place for relaxation. It can also be a starting point for a variety of treks to the upper Himalayas and a base to explore Rajaji National Park, Asia’s largest elephant sanctuary. From here, visits to Haridwar and Rishikesh can be undertaken with ease. 

For more details, have a look at their website | www.aalia.net

Te Aroha, Dhanachuli {Uttarakhand} | Te Aroha is a well-designed retreat/getaway in the hills that stands aside from the innumerable hotels that dot the hills of Kumaon.

It has been specially designed to serenade couples with cozy nooks and romantic spaces. While there is much to explore around it, you will also enjoy Te Aroha and its many stories of “the making of Te Aroha” – how incessant snowfall wouldn’t let them complete the extension project; the stylish bench in the Coffee Room that was procured from the Parliament House; the rare 17th century map in the living room of the  old wing; the “odd couple” photo collection which is the underlying theme of the suites/rooms  and some of the common areas; Sumant’s collection of vintage soap adverts featuring yesteryear Bollywood actresses and many more alluring stories. The package for 2 nights is at Rs 24,900 per couple

For more details, have a look at their website | www.tearoha.in

Latitude 30° – N Ganga, Rishikesh {Uttarakhand} | Overlooking the Ganges, 30 Kms from Rishikesh, sitting at the exact co-ordinates as the name suggests is Latitude 30°N Ganga. Positioned as an ‘Activotal’, the entire focus is on adventure, fun and nature based tourism along with the comfort of modern living.

The core team at Latitude has kept the resort simple It aims to rejuvenate stressed city dwellers. Activities here include rafting, kayaking, rappelling, mountain biking, nature walks, yoga, birding and a state of the art obstacle course. A trip can also include programs that cover the Himalayan foothills, Kumaon village walks and the wildlife in Corbett. Package for 2 nights comes to Rs. 25,000 per couple.

For more details, have a look at their website | www.latitude30.in

Long Vacation Stay

Neeralaya, Raison {Himachal} | Neeralaya is a serene river-side retreat set in the village of Raison, just off the main Kullu-Manali road. Three typical mountain villas, a thatched dining shack, a breakfast gazebo, a staff office and reception, kitchen garden, huge expanse of landscaped gardens with the river Beas flowing close by, makes for a picturesque retreat. Each villa offers rooms, a living area, dining, kitchen and plenty of sit-out options. The exterior of the Villas are made up of recycled timber, slate and stone to preserve the heritage hill’s architecture while the interiors are modern and very comfortable. The guest rooms are quintessentially mountain style – large, spacious and comfortable with wooden flooring, fireplace, writing desk, closet and windows or verandas with views of the river. Activities range from fishing trips, treks to Jana village, walks through apple orchards, visits to local temples, day trips to Manali and rafting.

3 Nights / 4 Days package | Rs. 39,000 per couple

Website | www.neeralaya.com

Mary Budden Estate, Binsar {Uttarakhand} | In the high mountains of Kumaon about an hour’s drive from Almora is the Binsar Sanctuary, a celebrated haven for the Himalayan wildlife and birds.

A twenty minute drive from the Ayarpani Gate {the main entrance to the sanctuary}, a little beyond the famously ramshackle KVMN bungalow, just below the zero point lies Mary Budden Estate. The estate has two charming cottages – the Mary Budden Cottage and the Rhododendron Cottage that together offer 7 exquisitely furnished rooms with generous sit-out and outdoor spaces. Each cottage has its own dining room as well as a living room and verandah, hence ideal for friends and families traveling together.

For more details, have a look at their website |  www.marybuddenestate.in

Ready, set, book! If you’re looking for more options, check out www.rareindia.com and you can book your weekend with Shoba Mohan by sending an email to shobatsm@gmail.com.