ON THE MAP

Make this summer your most adventurous one yet

- BARRY RODGERS

We know you’re probably itching for a spectacular holiday as much as we are, so we’ve gathered a list of places that cover the geographical gamut. So whether you want to make an easy trip to the cool climes of one of the country’s less explored regions or enjoy a wellness escape that could be potentially life-changing, these retreats offer more than just cosy rooms.

VILLA IN THE WOODS, KUMAON, UTTARAKHAND

Situated on a hill, between Bhimtal and Mukteshwar (in Kumaon, Uttarakhand), in a region flush with deodar, oak, and rhododendron forests, Villa in the Woods at RAAS Devānya, a three-bedroom home, draws from the Kumaoni-style koti-banal architecture and is built on stilts, which gives it the feel of being in a treehouse, albeit a very luxurious one.

Created by the award-winning practice Studio Lotus, the villa is built using elements like local timber and stone, much of which is taken from the site itself. The potential impact of construction on the region’s ecology was carefully considered, post which technical innovations such as pre-engineered kits were employed in construction. The design process also takes into account topography and is conceived to cause minimal intrusion into the natural world. As a result, the design of this villa, adapts to its position in the landscape.