DO NOTHING HOLIDAYS: Places perfect for staycations in India

There are travellers who go on trips with a checklist, a completely-packed itinerary, listing of the best cafes and restaurants and more. And then, there are travellers who would do nothing other than soak in the sun on their winter break, or flop themselves at the beach and would rather than do nothing than do it all. If you are one of the latter, you would love to have a staycation at these pretty places in India, ideal for a relaxed vacation.

Read more: India's most laidback hill stations

Gulmarg in Kashmir is as blissful as it can get, and the sheer landscapes here are otherworldly. It is that one beautiful place in India that does not require an itinerary or a to-do list. You simply need to book a stay and your flight tickets to Gulmarg, and there is a chance that you would simply want to stay in, sitting by the window, sipping on some hot chocolate and do nothing other than watch the snowfall in winters and the tree leaves change colours in summers.

Khajjiar in Himachal Pradesh is close to Dalhousie, and lies in the very beautiful Chamba. While Khajjiar is a pretty popular place, it usually sees only day visitors and the villages around hardly see any tourists. You can choose to stay in a homestay in one of the many villages here, and just soak in the Alpine scenery that is all around.

If Alleppey and Kochi are too famous and bustling for you, Kumarakom is where you need to be to slow down. A staycation in one of the beautiful luxury resorts and retreat here, right by the Kumarakom Lake is a beautiful experience. You can choose to just laze around and read a good book or two while sitting by the lake, or carry a pair of binocular for some great bird-spotting here.

Sundowners in Kumarakom are otherworldly.

Narkanda, near Shimla, is a place that does not need an itinerary or a to-do list as the rolling meadows here are the only thing you would want to lay your eyes on. Some coffee and a good book is all that you need when in Narkanda.

While there is a lot to do in Shimla, you can definitely opt for a luxe staycation as well. The bustling hill station is home to luxe, world-class properties that offer all the comfort and the views that only Shimla can.

People might go trekking, biking, camping or motorbiking when in Himachal's Spiti Valley, but you can always choose not to do any of these. You can just sit back, poring over the Himalayan wonderland from the window of your homestay, gorging over homemade (and utterly delicious) local food. The peas grown around Spiti and Kinnaur are a thing to have, and so is their rajma-chawal.

Read more: 10 otherworldly places in Lahaul & Spiti

Wayanad is another place that is perfect for a staycation; it's laidback, scenic and perfect for anyone who does not travel around with an itinerary in every trip. You will find some great stay options here, including homestays and treehouses!