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Misty, mystical, serene, sensual - Hill
station holidays in India is a perfect option for
those who want to shoo-away their big city blues. Situated
at heights ranging from 600 m above the sea level to 3500
m above the sea level, most of the hill stations or resorts
of India are certainly heads and shoulders over other tourist
centers. What is most unique about these hill stations in
India is the fact that their existence is confined to India
- a contribution of colonial India. Popularly known as Hill
Stations in India, these resorts provide welcome break from
the daily chores of life and take us closer to the nature.
The term Hill Station was first coined during
Colonial rule when the Europeans started themselves stationing
in the hills of the Himalayan region and
the Nilgiri region to get respite from the heat and
dust of plains of the north. They discovered and developed
many places that are still popular with the tourists. These
small resorts in some way were the replicas of their ancestral
homes back in Europe.
After the independence, most of the colonists
left their properties - mostly cottages and villas built in
the colonial styles or sold them to native Indians. Now these
hill stations are scene of heavy tourist rush during the summer
months and most sought after hill resorts in India. During
winters, high altitude adventure sports keep tourists attracted
to these sylvan hill stations in India. Some
of the popular hill stations in India are Shimla, Manali,
Mussoorie, Ooty, Munnar, Dharamsala, Kodaikanal, Dalhousie,
Darjeeling and Shillong.
Apart from providing the much-needed respite
from the hustle and bustle of city life, these hill stations
also have some of the loveliest hotels and resorts specializing
in honeymoon, boutique and heritage accommodation. |