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2 Tucked away in picturesque locations, homestays in rural areas offer a glimpse of the local culture, traditions, besides freshly cooked organic vegetables. Pics courtesy: Meena Bagh Ratnari, Kotkhai, Shimla, & Sunshine Himalayan Cottage, Banjar, Kullu
Pratibha Chauhan
When Ashim and Garima from Gurugram planned a trip with their children to Manali, they skipped the luxury hotel they usually stayed at and booked a quaint rural homestay. “We were yearning to go on a holiday but didn’t want to compromise on health. We zeroed in on a cosy homestay since there was lesser chance of exposure to Covid,” says Ashim. Garima adds, “The 20-minute trek to the cottage was exhilarating, especially for our kids. The experience was surreal, virtually transporting us to a magic land amid apple orchards. With a kitchenette and a balcony to the mud-plastered rooms, it was the laidback holiday I had always dreamed of.”