Whether you are a first-timer or a local, Paris is surely one of the most exciting, enticing cities in the world. Brimming with iconic attractions – Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Champs-Elysees, Musee d’ Orsay, Moulin Rouge – there’s never a shortage of activities, Its easy to take Paris at face value and visit only the tried and tested attractions. But why not stray from the usual? Here’s a brand new face of the French Capital…

Staying in Style

There are more opportunities to meet Parisians if you stay in one of the many new boutique or design hotels that are changing the accommodation scene in Paris Hotel Chat-Noir (meaning ‘Black Cat’) at Clichy, where we put up, was trendy, comfortable and reasonable.Another such place is Murano Urban Resort. The corridors give a nightlife feel and it is a great place for some drinks and dinner.

Sweet Nothings

First off all, we headed straight to the happening high street, ChampsElysees, Located at 75th avenue is Laduree, the Mecca of Parisian pastry. The menu runs the gamut from traditional croissants, pretzels, sandwiches, salads and short-crust pastries to the best macaroons in the town. Macaroons are, in fact, the speciality here and they come in flavours like velvet-blackcurrant. Liquorice, lemon and Morello cherries, to name a few.

Interestingly, the story of Parisian tea rooms is intimately linked to the Laduree family’s. They had one advantage over the other cafes: Women were welcome! The place attracted David holder of the holder group, who decided to upgrade the famous house, making it Paris’ pastry Mecca.

While commuting within the city, think trains.

Learn a few words of French. Many Parisian speak excellent English but they appreciate attempts to respect their language. Budget for jazz evening – It’s a great experience, available throughout the city.

Kasauli has a bit of everything: A colonial feel, evident in its cobbled pathways, characteristic British Bungalows and charming cottages overwhelmed by the wild beauty of rhododendron bushes as well ornamental flowers, ‘haunted’ houses abounding with tales of horror… The quaint, small hill town has an abundance of hawthorn hedges, which grow nearly everywhere. Amidst all this, the call of a woodpecker or the magpie transports you to another world. Be ready with your binoculars to spot these chirpers. Churches with stained glass windows are another reminder of this town’s British past.

There’s no way you can miss the Upper and Lower Malls on one of the expeditions. The Upper Mall will lead you to the town’s famous land mark – Kasauli Club. Keep walking and you’ll reach the town’s highest point, Monkey Point, which offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding areas. Don’t worry there are no monkeys here for the name comes from mythology… They say when Lord Hanuman was flying about in search of the sanjeevani booti, he rested his feet here! And yes, there is a monkey temple too, The Baba Balak Temple, where you can offers prayers. In other parts of Kasauli, you will have monkeys for company but not here!

Blissfully Serene

Quient, clean and green could be one way of describing this can tonment town offering a magnificent view of the snow-clad Dhauladhar range. Charmed by its beauty, litterateur Khuswant Singh is believed to have called it “the place where kissing is always in season”!

Getting there: Buses and taxis are available from Delhi, Kalka, Chandigarh and Shimla. The nearest airports are Shimla and Chandigarh. The nearest railhead is Kalka.

Best Season: April to June and September to November

Staying there: Kasauli has many good hotels like Regency, Kasauli Castle Resort, Bliss Resort, Hotel Alasia, and Bird View Resort.

Places to See: Monkey Point (offers a grand view of Chandigarh on a clear day as also of the Sutlej, has a monkey temple), Dharampur (houses one of the best hospitals for TB treatment in India), Lawrence School in Sanawar, beautiful old Churches, cantonment town of Sabathu, the sleepy and picturesque hamlet called Dagshai at the foothills of the Shivaliks, Kasauli Club, Kasauli Brewery