Slow India

Windermere Estate

Munnar, Kerala

Misty Munnar and its rolling hills clad in tea, cardamom and coffee plantations is a serene spot to take a breath and enjoy verdant views, sensational sunsets and gentle wanders in nature, accompanied by a chorus of birdsong. An ideal stop on an itinerary around Kerala, Windermere Estate is encircled by a lush garden and offers tranquil valley vistas, enjoyed with cups of freshly brewed ‘jungle tea’. Bedrooms are simple yet comfortable, with a décor crafted from teak and hand-embroidered linens while dining in ‘The Barn’ provides wholesome north and south Indian favourites to nourish body and soul.

Soaking up soul-stirring views may be as active as you get, but there’s plenty to engage curious travellers in the locale including cookery classes, plantation walks to learn the art of tea growing or a visit to the Tea Museum. Serious hikers can challenge themselves with a trek to second-highest peak in the Western Ghats

Taking a pause in India is not only time to recharge, but also to immerse yourself in the distinct characteristics of your environment. At Visalam, take the chance to experience the celebrated Chettinad cuisine, known for its fiery flavours and aromatic tastes – learn more on a cookery class with Visalam’s talented chefs.

Travelling in Tamil Nadu can feel intense and often includes long journeys. Before becoming fatigued, take time out at palatial mansion Visalam in Chettinad for a well-timed break in a welcoming property that also has a refreshing pool and Ayurveda wellbeing centre to ease you into relaxation. Visalam is found in the heart of hyper-local culture and arts – visit the handloom cotton weavers who make textiles and saris in a traditional method or watch tile-makers create decorative patterns in small batches. Cycling around the village gives you a unique vantage on local life, stopping at markets and antique stalls, and the nearby villages of the ‘Chettiars’ will shed light on the community that made its fortune from banking and jewellery trading.

Taking a pause in India is not only time to recharge, but also to immerse yourself in the distinct characteristics of your environment. At Visalam, take the chance to experience the celebrated Chettinad cuisine, known for its fiery flavours and aromatic tastes – learn more on a cookery class with Visalam’s talented chefs.

Visalam

Chettinad, Tamil Nadu

Taking a pause in India is not only time to recharge, but also to immerse yourself in the distinct characteristics of your environment. At Visalam, take the chance to experience the celebrated Chettinad cuisine, known for its fiery flavours and aromatic tastes – learn more on a cookery class with Visalam’s talented chefs.

Ahilya Fort

Maheshwar, Madhya Pradesh

Northern India is a busy riot of colour and a whirl of forts and palaces with every step revealing a new sight, smell or discovery. At the end of a fun-packed itinerary full of culture, take a moment to reflect on your trip and decompress before you return home. The perfect place to do this is Ahilya Fort in Maheshwar in Madhya Pradesh, easily connected by rail and air, yet feeling a million miles from India’s bustle. An 18^th century sandstone fort with commanding views over the swirling Narmada River, Ahilya is encircled by a lush garden with plenty of shady spots to relax plus a pool to cool off in. Riverside temples, ghats and boats offer plenty to look at, as you observe daily life unfolding before you including unique prayer ceremonies.

Relaxation beckons at Ahilya Fort, with every corner designed with tranquillity in mind from peaceful Indian thalis served in the garden to palatial bedrooms decorated in soothing white. Let the gracious staff arrange cultural encounters to broaden your experience – take a boat trip up the river with tea served on board, meet the neighbourhood weaving collective or head further afield to Mandu, a 15th century fortified city

Set in such verdant surrounds, it’s perhaps no surprise that Shapura flits with profusions of birdlife, with over 180 species found here. Twitchers will enjoy bird-watching trips with the trained naturalist. Cycling trails by the lake with a shoreside picnic is also a tranquil way to spend a day and guests are encouraged to visit the local school, farms and villages. End the day with atmospheric sundowner drinks at the sensational setting of Dhikhola Fort.

An opportunity to recharge the batteries in style between the big hitters of a northern Indian itinerary, Shapura Bagh is ideally located midway between Jaipur and Udaipur in rural Rajasthan and is an idyllic place to while away a few days. Clad in gleaming white, this impressive retreat is owned by the Shahpura family who are descendant of the Raj, and despite the lofty surroundings, you’ll be welcomed warmly. Set among mango and neem trees and sitting alongside a pair of lakes and a farm, this tranquil oasis will have you breathing deeper within moments. Suites are large in size, coming with four-poster beds and dotted with antiques, while outside a large pool awaits; by night, uplit by subtle lighting, the estate is cast in a magical glow. Activities here focus on traditional practices, but also help support local projects including education, rainwater harvesting and women’s healthcare.

Set in such verdant surrounds, it’s perhaps no surprise that Shapura flits with profusions of birdlife, with over 180 species found here. Twitchers will enjoy bird-watching trips with the trained naturalist. Cycling trails by the lake with a shoreside picnic is also a tranquil way to spend a day and guests are encouraged to visit the local school, farms and villages. End the day with atmospheric sundowner drinks at the sensational setting of Dhikhola Fort.

Shapura Bagh

Shapura, Rajasthan

Set in such verdant surrounds, it’s perhaps no surprise that Shapura flits with profusions of birdlife, with over 180 species found here. Twitchers will enjoy bird-watching trips with the trained naturalist. Cycling trails by the lake with a shoreside picnic is also a tranquil way to spend a day and guests are encouraged to visit the local school, farms and villages. End the day with atmospheric sundowner drinks at the sensational setting of Dhikhola Fort.

Ekaa Villa

Agra

Many rush through Agra, seeing only the gleaming Taj Mahal. Yet staying at Ekaa Villa uncovers a different side to Agra and allows you to slow down and appreciate the nuances of your neighbourhood. Offering a characterful and welcoming place to stay in thirteen intricately designed rooms, Ekaa Villa is a complete antidote to India’s grand palaces. Located in a quiet residential district, the guesthouse is full of Indian character and a gateway to a more immersive experience. Staff are happy to share insider knowledge from secret Taj vantage spots to dolphin-spotting in the Chambal River. It’s also a great place to sample fantastic homecooked north Indian cuisine using generational family recipes or try your hand at cooking traditional dishes.

Once you’ve feasted your eyes on the luminous wonder of the Taj Mahal, take time to get under the skin of Agra. How about a breakfast tour of the city’s local hotspots to sample samosas and lassis, a traditional horse drawn carriage ride, or a guided tour of the market with a lesson in haggling? Slowing the pace allows for those smaller interactions that make a big impact.”