Romantic Weekend Itinerary for Couples Traveling to Mussoorie, India

Surrender yourself along with your significant other to the bliss and charm of Mussoorie, India - a small hill station situated in the foothills of the Himalayas range. The quaint hill station, also known as the Queen of Hills has always been a low-key clandestine spot for lovers, and according to a latest report by Conde Nast, the destination is making a comeback to the Indian travel scene. (For someone, who spent 25 years of her life in the neighboring Doon Valley - this is huge news!) This comprehensive itinerary for a romantic weekend offers everything you'll need to make memories in this gorgeous place called Mussoorie.

Friday

Arrival: Arrive by noon to check into your hotel. While Mussoorie offers an array of high-end and budgeted lodging options, consider booking a room in the 19th century built Amber Vermont Estate on the scenic Hathi Paon Road in Mussoorie. Located on the edge of a hill, the estate stands around 7000ft. above the sea level and offers a gorgeous view of the snow-capped mountains, dense forests and the scenic landscape.

After checking in and savoring the serene view from your hotel room, head out to the Mall Road, a 10-minute walk from the historical Estate. The Mall road is a quintessential feature of any hill station in India. Indulge in window-shopping at small shops lined along the Mall road selling local jewelry, handicrafts, clothes and souvenirs. Tip: Refuse the innumerable sightseeing options poured by the local travel guides. Holding hands and exploring the Mall Road on your own is an experience of a lifetime!

Dine: Several small restaurants scrunched between the shops on the Mall Road offer an informal setting for your dining experience. However, if your feet allows, walk all the way to Kulri to Amitash: The Rice Bowl, one of Mussoorie's famous restaurant popular for Indo-Chinese and Thai delicacies. Amitash does not accept credit cards. Contact: Amitash, Kulri, Mussoorie, Uttar Pradesh, Phone:135/362-1684

Saturday

Morning: Sleep in and enjoy the comforts of your hotel room with your partner. Catch local programming on the 32" LCD TV, while you savor a cup of simmering tea/coffee. Share a hot shower and head down to the dining room for a breakfast buffet where you treat your senses with Indian, Continental and Tandoor delights, along with breathtaking views of the mountains.

Afternoon: Partake in a 2-hour bike ride starting right at your hotel. The ride is a great way to experience the winding hilly roads and the local sites. The route runs from Hathipaon towards Cart McKinsey Road and includes moderate trails, along with few challenging ones. A 21-gear bicycle and helmet are provided and the tours are led by experienced instructors.

Early evening: The 2-hour ride will leave you and your better half famished and it's a great time to indulge in roadside vendors selling delectable chole bhature, dosas, idlis, chaats and other savories. The long bike ride and the meal will leave your body longing for a siesta. Forego the nap and participate in a pony ride offered by several locals on the Mall Road. Relax and enjoy narrative anecdotes of the local sites, as he takes you en route to the Camel's Back Point and the Municipal Garden. End your evening by dressing up as locals in a local photo studio and indulging in a romantic photo session. (The attires are available in the studio.) Those pictures make a great memorabilia!

Dinner: Head back to your hotel room to enjoy the dinner buffet, or skip your dinner for some yummy Pista Kulfi, an ice cream with pistachios at Kwality's.

Sunday

Enjoy a leisurely morning in the privacy of your hotel room before its time to check out. Spend moments on the terrace; indulge in the serene bliss and the comfort of your partner's company.

After the breakfast buffet, check out, leave bags in the hotel's cloakroom and head out to Lal Tibba, the highest point in Mussoorie, which is located in Landour, a small cantonment town well known in the British era. The long walk will be steep but worth the trouble with sights of Indo-Gothic churches and cottages, deodar trees and various birds. Complete your trip by sightseeing through a telescope hosted on a tower on the edge of a cliff.

Dine: Landour has a huge Tibetan establishment and boasts several eateries serving Nepalese and Tibetan food, along with homemade pizza, hams and sausages.

Getting there:

Regular flights are available from New Delhi to Dehradun. Take taxis or deluxe buses all the way to Mussoorie.