Whether the weather in Delhi now should warrant you go to the hills is your call. But for me vacations are only towards the sight of mountains. This cuts off Rajasthan and MP/UP etc. So here are some options my dear:
1. Kasauli: is a well known hill station and fiercely well maintained by the Cantonment. I hear they are are proud of their little haven. Higher than Shimla: Drive down in 4 hours(i.e. if you have a fast car and cover the "up to Chandigarh" stretch b4 the traffic snarls up). Btw, you can reach there in time for brunch if you start early. The Paltan Bazaar is something you wo
uld have had fathomed to see in a set of a bollywood movie. Quaint in its own right and yet very handy and economical. It does give the place an international feeling while rubbing shoulders with our roots at the same time. But to be in Kasauli and not walk(Paint) the town Red would be insulting to the town and self. The winding roads and views are self explanatory. In short, it is near to Delhi, the climate is amas(z)ing and its clean.2. Shimla: is still beautiful provided its not the peak season: Some people say she is like a nubile damsel raped over the years. I feel such a lady would still be charming.
It is the capital of the state, is steeped in history and has character and above all. Finding a stay there though, c
an be both a pain and a delight. The accommodation by the government is self deprecating and good private properties may burn your pocket(not just a hole!). This is the one place during all my travels where I saw people clinging to the outside of your taxi pleading to come with them to see a hotel room !!! That's Shimla for the uninitiated. A fine balance of facility, proximity, convenience and snob value is possible if you have first hand experience. Otherwise, the mall, the viceregal lodge, the parks and the temples are a treat.
Tip: Shimla has a couple of places close to it, which are as good if not better if you have transport.
3. Morni Hills: The only hill station the Jat land boasts of. Just off Panchkula, across the Ghaggar which is supposed to be the Saraswati River of the yesterages (Remember? Gang
a, Jamuna, Sarawati...). But that is if you are looking for solace and don't want to get disturbed and enjoy another honeymoon. The first thing that hits you as you reach there is the silence- I mean not even a whisper and you can wear the tranquility in your ears even after your comeback to the Delhi madhouse.
There are a couple of lakes nearby and long walks to keep you company. I'd love to make it again with friends for a memorabilia.
4. Barog: is a small town halfway on the Kalka-Shimla highway:Quaint and non-descript. Good hotels have now come up making it an ideal base to cover the entire region. The views are excellent and a small town feel will not let you down.
There is an old story about an engineer losing his marbles over a tunnel that would have been the longest in the world (had it come through): The suicide and naming of the town afte
r him. But that apart there is little history to the land. Highly recommended is the train journey winding all the way up to Shimla at its own leisurely pace. It will make you forget everything on agenda and give you reason to return. Nota Bene: Don't miss the Barog Station on the way- Its the most colourful of the entire journey.
