Said to be the queen of hill stations, Shimla is one of the most beautiful destinations that you might visit in your lifetime. Steeped in colonial history and replete with a breathtakingly serene ambiance, it is every honeymooner’s paradise. For those of you who might think that Shimla is overcrowded and has nothing much to offer, you could be very wrong! Beneath the façade of crowded places, there lies a Shimla that you need to experience. Here are some unusual things that you can try out while on your honeymoon in Shimla:

1. Enjoy the Toy Train

Image source: Google, copyright-free image under Creative Commons License

Instead of taking a taxi to Shimla and be stranded in a traffic jam, why not try the toy train? A thoroughly enjoyable ride on a narrow gauge line, it is one of the most awe-inspiring ways of entering the hill station. Take a train from Kalka to Shimla, a journey of about five to six hours, and enjoy the lush greenery whizzing past your window on the way.

2. Trek through the wilderness

Image source: Google, copyright-free image under Creative Commons License

Like other hill stations, the best way to discover Shimla is to walk through it. But apart from walks within the town and through its narrow lanes, do take the time to wander off the beaten path with your partner. Visit the Glen, a dense, wooded ravine with a rambling brook. Or maybe try out a short beginners’ trek at Prospect Hill. Routes like Summer Hill and Potter’s Hill are to be tried only if you have some trekking experience.

3. Experience the colonial era

Image source: Google, copyright-free image under Creative Commons License

You can’t miss out on witnessing British history if you’re in Shimla. The summer capital of the British during the colonial era, the town still boasts of numerous buildings and architectural marvels that you will enjoy seeing. Some of the well-loved haunts are the well-preserved Golf Pavilion, Viceroy Lodge, and the stunning Army Museum. The old Gaiety Theatre is a grey stone building that still puts on shows every summer, while the State Museum is especially impressive with its collection of paintings, weapons, coins, and jewelry. Some of the old colonial homes are worth gaping at too.

4. Camp out in the verdant bosom of nature

Image source: Google, copyright-free image under Creative Commons License

If you’re the adventurous kind, you just cannot miss some of the beautiful camping spots in Shimla. Instead of falling for the usual tourist guide routine, opt for something different. You have plenty of options in places like Sandasu, Chirgaon and Larot, Shoghi, and more. Make sure to be well equipped with your camping gear, however. The Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) is a good option to find out more about camping options around Shimla.

5. Ice, ice baby!

Image source: Google, copyright-free image under Creative Commons License

A fun thing to do while you’re in Shimla is to try out skiing. The Kufri Ski Resort and the Narkanda Ski Resort are excellent options that receive a lot of tourists during skiing season. If you aren’t feeling that fearless, you could also try out the local Shimla Ice Skating Rink, which is open in the months between November and March.

6. Book lovers’ paradise

Image source: Google, copyright-free image under Creative Commons License

Home to writers like Ruskin Bond, Shimla’s Mall Road boasts of some very old bookstores. The Maria Brothers Antiquarian Booksellers, which has been around since 1946, is a perfect example. If you and your partner love books and reading, a visit here may feast your eyes and warm your hearts. You might also want to visit the old Indian Coffee House, sipping coffee and reading up some stories on old-world Shimla.

7. Share a ‘chai’ with your beloved

Image source: Pixabay, under Creative Commons License

Most Indians are hooked on the idea of drinking tea during the winter, perhaps a habit we inherited from the British. If you’re looking for tea to share some warmth with your new spouse, head towards the British Time Tea Stall, nestled in the thick cover of forests on the Thandi Sadak, Chawda Maidan. Another good jaunt for tea is the Verma Tea Stall, also famously known as the Kewal ka Dhabba. Rumor has it that Lord Mountbatten was so impressed with the tea here that he made the shack into a permanent place!

8. Eat like a British Lord

Image source: Google, copyright-free image under Creative Commons License

While on a honeymoon, everyone wants to be well fed. When in Shimla, don’t miss out on all the good food waiting for you. Whether it is Mexican, Italian, or Mediterranean food, or even the best cakes in town, don’t miss Café Sol. Try out Cecil’s for a colonial-era formal dinner, or stick to Indian food in the beautiful ambiance of Ashiana.

Enjoy Shimla just the way you like it, and return home with great honeymoon memories!

Featured image source: Google, copyright-free image under Creative Commons License