Popularly known as the Queen of Hills, Darjeeling is in the Shivalik hills, lower range of the Himalayas. Like most other hill stations in India, the British developed Darjeeling as a respite from the summer heat in the plains. The British loved the town for the compete rejuvenation package that it offered - serene atmosphere, view of the snowline, scented pines and a golden coloured brew called the Darjeeling tea. The place has since become a pilgrimage of sorts for tea connoisseurs.

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is the town's other claim to global fame. Connecting the town with the plains, it was declared a World Heritage Site in 1999 and is one of the few steam engines still in service in India. Darjeeling also has several British-style public schools, hotels and houses that are very old and declared as heritage buildings.

Another feature that separates Darjeeling from its sister hill stations is its happy go lucky attitude, a cheer that envelops the people of this place. It is a curious coming together of a languorous oriental charm and a present day well paced energetic lifestyle.

Stocky, well built energetic men and women dressed in home grown versions of skirts and lungis, red cheeked, as though flushed with nature's bountiful reserves, throng the roads, not to forget young guitar wielding teenagers dressed up in their trademark jeans and an attitude of gay abandon.

Darjeeling is another name for surprises; every corner that the road leads to is a revelation. One sure cherishes the rolling meadows and alpine woods but the pleasure of discovering a tea estate round the corner or going uphill and landing into the arms of St Paul's school or Mayfair resort is indescribable.