Fashioned after the hunting lodges of colonial times, Fredy’s Bungalow is a Kumaoni marvel in the foothills of India’s Himalayas, just 2km from Bhimtal Lake. It’s a warm and welcoming place with 4 comfortable rooms, an open fireplace and thick stone walls adorned with stags’ heads and a remarkable collection of moths and butterflies.

The definite ‘back in time’ feeling is conveyed by authentic colonial furniture, a sprinkling of antique curios and a well-stocked library. There’s a charming dining room, a carrom table set around a sunken lounge and, all in all, enough here to keep groups of all ages occupied. Not forgetting of course, numerous lovely forest walks and the chance to go boating on Bhimtal Lake. And despite the lovely forest setting, guests can still feel at home without being ‘outdoorsy’ or here for the forest walks.

Best of all, sit back at the end of the day with a sundowner on the house’s wide rear verandah and you’d be forgiven for expecting Jim Corbett – the region’s famous naturalist with a national park named after him – to come strolling out of the forest in front of you. Just don’t be disappointed if a sambar deer shows up instead.