The Best Honeymoon Destination in India

Photo courtesy of India's Department of Tourism

Dubbed "God's Own Country," the southern state of Kerala is a slow-moving paradise that is distinctly different from the rest of India. Peaceful and pristine, the state boasts a 100 percent literacy rate and a world-class health care system. Within its boundaries lay lush rain forests with exotic wildlife, waterfalls, and sprawling tea and spice plantations and paddy fields. Enchanting art forms, numerous festivals, historic and cultural monuments and an exotic cuisine all combine to make Kerala an unforgettable honeymoon destination.

Romantic activities abound for honeymooners in Kerala. Many secluded first-class resorts are clustered along Kerala's shoreline, some with private cabanas and pools. Check out the Marari beach resort in Alleppey, over-the-top Kumarakom Lake Resort or the Shalimar Spice Garden Resort near the Periyar Tiger Reserve. Most resorts offer one of Kerala's other big draws for couples: ayurvedic treatments.

Ayurveda evolved around 600 BC in India, and is a system of holistic medicine that is based on eliminating toxic imbalances from the body. Kerala's equable climate, natural abundance of forests and cool monsoon season (June - November) are best suited for ayurveda's curative and restorative treatments, which include massage, yoga, rejuvenative medications and herbal or steam baths. In fact, today Kerala is the only state in India that is dedicated to ayurveda.

Another popular and romantic activity in Kerala is taking one of the traditional wooden houseboats through the tranquil stretches of emerald backwaters. The huge, slow moving barges are the revamped kettuvalloms that were used to carry goods on the old spice route. Today, the houseboats have all the creature comforts of a good hotel, including furnished bedrooms, modern toilets, cozy living rooms, a kitchen and even a balcony for angling. Poled by local oarsmen, the houseboats can be reserved for half a day or a week. What is truly magical about a houseboat ride is the breathtaking view of the untouched and otherwise inaccessible villages of rural Kerala that it offers.

Photo courtesy of Hill Stations of India

Udaipur, the city of lakes, is one of the most romantic spots in India. The floating Lake Palace that seems suspended magically in the center of Lake Pichola is the second-most photographed location in India after the Taj Mahal. For centuries Udaipur, with its marble palaces, beautifully laid-out gardens and lakes, has been an inspiration for poets, painters and writers.

Historic palaces provide wonderful sightseeing during the day, from the City Palace with its murals and mosaics to the abandoned, eerily charming Monsoon Palace up in the hills. In the evening, honeymooners will find numerous lakeside restaurants at which to enjoy a romantic dinner and drinks. The city has also drawn a fair number of eclectic musicians and artists, so music and dance performances abound.

No visit to Udaipur would be complete without a boat ride on Lake Pichola with a side trip to Jagdeesh Temple, accessible only by boat. The small island offers an incredible view of the ancient temple and ruins, which are beautiful enough to be the site of many weddings.

For the ultimate in luxury, royal service and a taste of the romance and grandeur of the last century, stay at the exquisite Oberoi Udaivilas. Conceived as a traditional Indian palace, the Oberoi Udaivilas, with its rambling courtyards, gentle rippling fountains, reflecting pools and verdant gardens, showcases the rich heritage of the Mewar region of Rajasthan. Rooms with terraces open onto semiprivate swimming pools, a unique feature of Udaivilas.

For a completely different romantic Indian experience, try one of the picturesque hill stations in far northern India in the shadows of the great Himalayas. Darjeeling, famous as the tea plantations for which it is named, is one of the most popular. The real fun in getting to Darjeeling is riding the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, dubbed the old "Toy Train," a journey of six to seven hours that gives you enough time to appreciate the passing scenery--waterfalls, forests and mountains. Darjeeling is also an excellent place to see snow leopards, yaks and other exotic wildlife found only in this part of the world.

Once you arrive, the naturally cool breezes and aromatic scent of the tea leaves are wonderfully refreshing, and you will want to stop by one of the many bazaars to purchase some and to peruse the array of Tibetan-inspired handicrafts.

Another popular hill station town is Ladakh, also known as the last Shangri-La. Unlike the rain-soaked lushness of Darjeeling, Ladakh is a high-altitude desert. For honeymooners who prefer to do more than sunbathe, Ladakh provides exceptional trekking opportunities with unbeatable scenery and views. As in Darjeeling, wonderful handicrafts can be found in the local shopping bazaars, although crafts by Ladakh artists exhibit more of a Nepalese influence than Tibetan. Metal and copper works, as well as intricately woven pieces and Thangka paintings, are plentiful.