5 Spectacular Holidays to Give Your Parents
You may have given your parents the latest electronics, clothes, or even a car, but if you’re searching for a one-of-a-kind gift this year, consider giving them a vacation—an experience they’ll remember for the rest of their lives. Here are our top five holiday experiences for you to choose from.
Staying on a Houseboat in Alleppey
Book a day-and-night stay aboard a kettuvallam, a traditional rice boat that cruises through the backwaters of ‘God’s own country,’ to give your parents a real Kerala vacation. The houseboats are built with a sturdy steel construction and natural materials that make them stable and safe. They also contain living areas, air-conditioned bedrooms, and kitchens that make them feel like a home on the water. They will not only enjoy the bustling village life but also the gorgeous backwaters as they cruise through the Vembanadu Lake, the longest backwater stretch, or via the canals that meander between island villages. Book a houseboat stay with a reputable boat operator in advance and surprise your parents with a vacation they won’t soon forget.
In Udaipur, the royals live in a Haveli.
Rajasthan conjures up thoughts of kings and queens, beautiful forts and palaces, a vibrant and enchanting culture, and history that one aspires to step into and experience firsthand. The ideal way for your parents to experience this monarchy is for them to live in one of the restored Shekhawati havelis that formerly belonged to a landowner. These architecturally rich havelis are furnished with 18th century furnishings, hand-painted murals, elaborate crystal chandeliers, teak wood doors, and ornate brickwork, similar to a boutique hotel. The personal service provided by turbaned workers, as well as chats with the owners who live in a section of the haveli, add to the authenticity of the experience. Providing your family with a taste of the
A Quaint Farm-stay at Coonoor
The modest farms in Coonoor offer a home-like stay with the unique possibility of enjoying life on a farm, with lush green meadows, pine woods, and stunning gardens and orchards. A farm-stay in Coonoor is full of all the things that make your days languorous and precious, from living in a rustic cottage with wild flowers growing all around to helping the owners milk their cows or tend to their organic vegetable garden, to even learning how to make your own cheese and cook authentic Nilgiri fare. You may also see wild animals such as bison, leopards, and deer that wander into the farm. If your parents are searching for a relaxing vacation, a farm stay in Coonoor can be the answer.
Beach-side Resort Experience at Havelock
What better way to experience the Andamans than to stay in an old-world but comfortable thatched home on Havelock Island, overlooking the turquoise sea?
Add in a beautiful scenery with sugar-white beaches, luscious lagoons, and thick forests, and you’ve got yourself a beach vacation that your parents will remember for the rest of their life. Book your parents a stay at one of the numerous eco-friendly boutique beach resorts that offer modern facilities, breathtaking views of the surrounding oceans, and a variety of activities such as nature walks, kayaking, and snorkelling.
A Serene Stay at a Coffee Plantation in Coorg
If your parents are coffee connoisseurs or enjoy the peace and quiet that can only be found away from the rush and bustle of city life, a gift of a plantation stay is sure to delight. There are various true coffee-plantation resorts to select from, where you can observe the bean-to-cup journey of coffee, lend a hand at rice paddy farms, and enjoy an organic way of life centred on soaking up the beauty of the location and enjoying a slower pace of living.
With coffee estates strewn across the countryside, tiny little villages to visit, paddy and maize fields contributing a beautiful shade of green to the scenery, and bubbling streams and gushing waterfalls adding to the natural beauty of the place—Kodagu is a must-see.