The Joy of Travelling Far, Close to Home
Sometimes the soul craves a change of scenery: Alpine snow, cobblestoned streets, white deserts, or turquoise lagoons. But long flights, visa queues and jet lag don’t always fit neatly into busy lives.
The good news? You don’t always need a passport stamp to feel like you’ve travelled the world. Across India, a new wave of boutique hotels, design-led retreats and immersive experiences are creating holidays with an international feel, right at home. Think:
- Scottish-style misty hills in the south
- Swiss-like snowfields in the north
- French boulevards on India’s east coast
- Desert scenes that echo Morocco
- Islands that rival the Maldives
Here are seven Indian escapes that feel like travelling abroad — crafted perfectly for long weekends, extended stays or luxe celebrations with Tamarind Global Holidays.
1. Coorg, Karnataka – A Slice of Scotland in the South
Nicknamed the “Scotland of India”, Coorg (Kodagu) is all rolling hills, cool drizzle and lush green as far as the eye can see.
Why it feels like abroad
- Mist-covered coffee plantations as far as the eye can see
- Weather that swings between cosy drizzles and crisp sunshine
- Old-world colonial bungalows with sloping roofs and wide verandas
You wake up to birdsong and the smell of freshly ground coffee, watch the clouds spill through valleys, and spend evenings by a fireplace with a book and a hot chocolate (or a local brew).
What a luxury Coorg escape can include
- Private plantation stays with infinity pools overlooking the hills
- Curated coffee trails – from bean to cup
- Nature walks to hidden waterfalls
- Long, slow breakfasts on the verandah with views that feel like the Highlands
For travellers searching for a romantic, European-style hill holiday in India, Coorg delivers all the mood with much less effort.
2. Gulmarg, Kashmir – India’s Answer to the Alps
When winter descends on Gulmarg, the meadows transform into a white wonderland that feels straight out of Switzerland.
Why it feels like abroad
- Snow-clad slopes that rival classic Alpine ski resorts
- A gondola that whisks you up to near 4,000 metres
- Skiing, snowboarding and sledging framed by towering fir forests
Yet amidst all this Alpine drama is Kashmiri soul: kahwa spiced with saffron, kangris cradled under pherans, and warm smiles in every homestay.
What a luxury Gulmarg holiday can include
- Stays in cosy mountain lodges or five-star resorts with valley views
- Private ski lessons or guided off-piste adventures
- Sunset snow walks followed by hot kahwa by the fireplace
- Summer alternatives: golfing, meadow hikes and gondola rides with wildflower views
If you’ve always dreamt of a Swiss-style winter holiday but want to stay closer to home, Gulmarg is your perfect Alpine fantasy in India.
3. Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu – India’s Little France by the Sea
In Pondicherry’s French Quarter, life moves at a dreamy, Riviera-like pace.
Why it feels like abroad
- Mustard-yellow facades with white shutters and wrought-iron balconies
- Street names in French, leafy boulevards and hidden courtyards
- Chic cafés serving croissants, crêpes and café au lait
Walk along the promenade, cycle through quiet lanes draped in bougainvillea, and you’ll forget you’re on India’s east coast.
What a luxury Pondicherry escape can include
- Stays in restored French villas with tiled floors and inner courtyards
- Private heritage walks through the White Town
- Seaside dinners pairing French techniques with local seafood
- Day trips to Auroville to deepen the “global, mindful” vibe
For travellers craving a French-inspired coastal break with strong design and great food, Pondicherry is a delightful long-weekend escape.
4. The Rann of Kutch, Gujarat – India’s Sahara Moment
At first glance, the Great Rann of Kutch looks like another planet – endless white, soft light and a horizon that never seems to end.
Why it feels like abroad
- The shimmering salt desert glows silver under the moon, like sand dunes under Saharan starlight
- Camel carts silhouetted against surreal sunsets
- Tented camps rising out of nowhere like desert mirages
Yet this is also one of India’s richest cultural regions – full of embroidery, mirrorwork, music and powerful stories.
What a luxury Rann of Kutch holiday can include
- Premium desert camps with air-conditioned tents, private decks and curated folk performances
- Moonrise or sunrise experiences on the salt flats
- Private craft trails to villages like Bhujodi, Nirona and Ajrakhpur, guided by local experts
- Sundowners with live music under a kaleidoscope of stars
For those who dream of Moroccan-style desert luxury but want to stay within India, Kutch offers both drama and depth.
5. Auroville, Tamil Nadu – A Global Utopia in India
Part spiritual experiment, part global village, Auroville feels like stepping into a tiny world of its own.
Why it feels like abroad
- A truly international community – residents from dozens of countries
- The futuristic golden Matrimandir, rising out of green meadows
- Eco-conscious cafés, organic bakeries and sustainable boutiques
Auroville has the energy of a European eco-village crossed with an ashram – peaceful, creative, and deeply rooted in sustainability.
What a luxury Auroville holiday can include
- Minimalist eco-retreats set in forests and organic farms
- Yoga, meditation, pottery and art workshops
- Slow, plant-forward meals made from local, seasonal produce
- Cycling through red-earth paths lined with casuarina and banyan trees
If you’re seeking a mindful, global-feel retreat in India, Auroville is a beautiful, grounding choice.
6. Sikkim – Swiss Soul, Himalayan Heart
With its clean towns, flower-filled balconies and pine-covered slopes, Sikkim often gets compared to Switzerland – and not without reason.
Why it feels like abroad
- Neat, well-kept hill towns like Pelling and Gangtok with café culture
- Alpine-style wooden lodges with panoramic views of Kanchenjunga
- Meadows, lakes and snowy peaks that feel straight from a Swiss postcard
But look closer and you’ll see monasteries, prayer flags and a deeply Buddhist rhythm to daily life.
What a luxury Sikkim holiday can include
- Boutique stays with floor-to-ceiling mountain views
- Monastery visits with private butter-lamp offerings and guided insight into local culture
- Scenic drives to Tsomgo Lake, Lachung, Lachen and Yumthang Valley
- Local Sikkimese and Tibetan cuisine in curated settings
For travellers who want the visual drama of Swiss landscapes with Himalayan spirituality, Sikkim is a dream.
7. The Andaman Islands – A Hint of the Maldives, Indian at Heart
If you’re craving turquoise lagoons and soft white sand, the Andaman Islands offer island-luxury without leaving Indian waters.
Why it feels like abroad
- Crystal-clear turquoise water reminiscent of the Maldives or Seychelles
- Powder-soft beaches like Radhanagar and Vijaynagar
- Coral reefs perfect for snorkelling, diving and glass-bottom boat rides
Luxury resorts on Havelock and Neil Islands often feel like Indian versions of top tropical island retreats.
What a luxury Andaman holiday can include
- Beach villas just steps away from the sea
- Private boat trips to secluded islands and sandbars
- Candlelit dinners on the beach with a dedicated chef
- A mix of scuba diving, snorkelling, kayaking and mangrove explorations
For honeymooners, families and groups wanting an international island feel with the comfort of domestic travel, the Andamans are a perfect match.
Travelling the World Within India
What ties these seven places together is not imitation, but inspiration. Each destination:
- Evokes the mood of a global favourite
- Remains rooted in its local culture, cuisine and community
- Offers stays and experiences that can be tailored from comfortable premium to ultra-luxury
With Tamarind Global Holidays, you can craft:
- Short “feels-like-abroad” getaways across India
- Themed itineraries – Alps-inspired, island-inspired, desert-inspired
- Special celebrations: proposals, anniversaries, family reunions and company offsites
Sometimes, you don’t need to go far to go deep. These Indian escapes prove that you can travel the world without leaving the country — and still return feeling like you’ve been somewhere entirely new.
