India is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and spectacular countries, with a diverse culture and landscape. From the high Himalayas, to jungle and desert – there are many great ways to spend a romantic holiday in the Indian subcontinent. If you’re looking for a little honeymoon inspiration or you want to just see the most beautiful scenery then check out any of these great destinations.
Manali, Himachal Pradesh: Nestled in the Kulu valley in the north of the country is Manali. Surrounded by imposing snow capped mountains and with some great temples, both Buddhist and Hindu, Manali is a fantastic stop for anyone looking to have their breath taken away. If you’re looking for activities there are options for mountain trekking and water rafting as well as an excellent thermal spa at nearby Vashisht.
Udaipur, Rajasthan: Famous for the palace in the lake, Udaipur in Rajasthan is perhaps one of India’s most spectacular scenes. You can stay in the palace too! Down the road is Jaipur, which also has a palace in a lake, Jal Mahal, but you can’t stay in that one. Rajasthan is a desert state with plenty of rolling sand dunes offering great romantic sunset watching potential.
Hampi, Karnataka: An ancient abandonded city set amongst the most spectacular scenery – an endless landscape of rock formations. The ancient temple complex is huge and takes a good few days of exploring to truly uncover. But the serenity and desolate nature of Hampi is what makes it romantic. A place you can truly fall in love with…
Mandrem Beach, Goa: There is lots of choice when it comes to beaches in Goa, but Mandrem is the most quiet and secluded of them all. Still relatively unspoilt by huge developments, the beach is long and empty and there are a few old churches nestled among the palm trees. There are a few hotels from the budget to a more luxurious option nestled behind the beach. True bliss!
Ooticamund/Ooty, Tamil Nadu: The rolling tea plantations of the Nilgiri Hills are what made Ooty. And this cool hill station is still a popular draw for those escaping the heat from the plains below. Ooty town is dominated by a race course which isn’t particularly romantic, but there are some fabulous hotels dotted around the hills. You can also taste some of the finest tea you can taste anywhere…
Sikkim: Nestled between Nepal, Bhutan and China is the tiny and mountainous state of Sikkim. Possibly the cleanest state in India (plastic bags are banned), the scenery here is literally breath taking – so it’s just as well the air is so clean too. Pelling is the best spot to stay with plenty of hotel options and a view of the most famous mountain in this region, Kanchenchunga. You may find you need a ‘restricted area pass’ to get into Sikkim, ask at your closest Indian consulate or embassy.
The backwaters of Kerala: The southern state of Kerala is known for its sleepy waterways that criss cross the area south of Kochi. Take a ride on one of these boats, with options for single or multi day trips, and savour the slow pace of life as you drift past fishermen and villagers doing pretty much what they’ve been doing for centuries. After the cruise you can take a trip to any of Kerala’s nature reserves or fantastic beaches, such as Varkala.