WINTER-SUN WINNERS
GO FOR GOA WITH THE FAMILY
Goan beaches are much more inviting than those in Kerala and the climate is less humid, making them ideal for a family winter-sun holiday. Resorts north of the capital, Panjim, cater to the party crowd, so head south where an emptier strand of much finer sand runs from miles from Colva to Mobor. Here, the Leela Goa is the place to stay. Set among lakes and a golf course, it has a superb spa, a good children’s club and can offer any amount of babysitting. Seven nights at the Leela costs from £2,009pp with Goa Experience (01489 866986; goaexperience.co.uk)
INDULGE IN A PEACEFUL GETAWAY
After the historian Alistair Shearer struggled to find a low-key beach lodge for his clients to relax in at the end of his tours, he decided to build his own. Neeleshwar Hermitage, a peaceful hideaway in northern Kerala, is the result. The 18 thatched cottages stand in lawns beside the beach, the pool is big, the spa professional and guests have access to Alistair’s extensive library. The lodge also runs the Lotus, a restored rice barge that cruises much quieter backwaters than the canals around Alleppey, where music blares from dayboats and locals retreat from prying eyes. Double rooms at Neeleshwar Hermitage (0091 467 228 7510; neeleshwarhermitage.com) cost from £117pn. For a full review and to book see: telegraph.co.uk/tt-neeleshwar
TURN ROBINSON CRUSOE
Radhanagar Beach on Havelock Island is one of the world’s most beautiful. Reached through a virgin forest of precious hardwoods, the beach is blindingly white and the water so clear you can see a minnow swim by. Best of all there are no sun loungers, food stands or water toys to blight the Robinson Crusoe feel. There are two places to stay, both with good eco credentials and set back from the beach: Barefoot at Havelock, a convivial lodge with tents and log cabins; and the luxurious Taj Andamans, which has a 50ft pool, a resident naturalist and top-class dining served by chatty Andamanese, whose grandfathers were hunter gatherers. Trailfinders (020 7084 6500; trailfinders.com) offers six-night stays at the Taj Andamans from £1,082pp including breakfast, flight from Kolkata, Delhi or Chennai and ferry transfer
LUXURIATE IN A PALACE
India is littered with forts and palaces turned into hotels but none does it better than Ahilya Fort (ahilyafort.com) in central India, built by the 18th-century warrior queen Ahilyabai Holkar and run by her descendant, Prince Richard. From the terrace you can look down on life being played out on the banks of the holy river Narmada, a miniature Varanasi, which played a starring role in the BBC’s adaptation of A Suitable Boy. Rooms are scattered among half-timbered buildings, the food is delicious and the mood sociable and relaxed. It’s like staying in the home of an aristocratic relative with very good taste. Beyond the gates, visitors can explore the silk-weaving village of Maheshwar. Ampersand Travel (020 7819 9770; ampersandtravel.com) offers a 13-night Holy Cities & Sacred Rivers of North India itinerary featuring three nights at Ahilya Fort from £6,200pp, including domestic flights