In a city like New Delhi that has been in the news for all the wrong reasons, seeking romantic escapes is not always easy. But here is an insider’s perspective on the Indian metropolis’ most charming hideouts:
The exoticness of the magical land that is India still lingers on at hideouts like The Library, where you can fall in love all over again with Delhi’s colonial era. At this bar, sip rare malts and cozy up to a leather-bound classic on a Chesterfield chair in front of an old-fashioned fireplace. Located at The Leela Palace Hotel, The Library is a high school romance in the refined world.
Lodi Gardens
We can’t talk about the nostalgia of Delhi’s colonial era without mentioning the green oasis that is the Lodi Gardens. You can hide among ruins dating back to the 15th century (play hide-and-seek with other couples), or take to old-school romance with a picnic among the flora and in the shadow of 5,000 years of history.
Who knows romance better than the French? Flavors P’tit is an expression of the Parisian passion we dream about; a date night in this charming garden-and-terrace escape is complemented with a near-perfect wine list and traditional French food.
Away from the chaos of Delhi’s streets, the tranquility of the Garden of Five Senses lends itself to romanticism in several ways; you would imagine that this is where writer/historian William Dalrymple could have chosen to pen his acclaimed Delhi-centered travelogue City of Djinns. Artistic landscapes, the fragrance of spring and colors of light immediately transport you to another world, one where love blooms alongside the 200 plant varieties in the garden.
Concert Night at the Old Fort
It’s the perfect recipe for romance: music under the stars. On one of these evenings, lose yourself in the ruins of the Old Fort and let the music find you in corridors steeped with history. Together with the tunes, couples can soak in the Old World charm of Delhi’s Mughal era.
Photo Courtesy of iStock- Yellow Crest Media
