SECRET HOMESTAYS

A potter, a farmer, an artist, a football superstar-who would you like to stay with on your next vacation?

VELANGA ORCHARDS, ANDHRA PRADESH

The 50-acre Velanga Orchard in Bodabandla houses three twin-sharing cottages and four individual ones amidst mango and teak trees and a vegetable garden. Hosts Nikita Dawar and Karthik Ramaraj have four dogs and a cat. The two built the homestay for those who want to embrace a slower, more intentional lifestyle for a while. Sign up for the pottery courses led by Dawar, who is a ceramic artist. Take early morning hikes or refreshing dips in the lake closeby, read a book under a tree and observe farm life and birds. ARUNDHATI AIL velangaorchard.com; doubles from ₹33,600; minimum six-night stay

PRAANA EXPERIENCE, KARNATAKA

Hosts Priyanka and Tanveer came across the village of Dombe in Karnataka on a road trip across India with their two dogs. The three-bedroom homestay was built from scratch on their parcel of land, with views of the sea. The property welcomes pets, and the hosts' dog and cat are always around for company. While you're here, enjoy walks in the village, birdwatch from the observatory in the property or in the forest nearby, and dig into delicious Udupi food by the in-house chef. SANIL MAHAJAN Opraanaexperience; doubles from ₹7,500

ANUGRAHA, KERALA

You may have seen the village of Aymanam through the eyes of Rahel and Esthappen of Arundhati Roy's The God of Small Things. Anugraha-a chic two-bedroom villa along the Meenachil River in Kottayamoffers the opportunity to explore the charming village. The villa is a restored heritage home owned by former Architectural Digest India editor Manju Sara Rajan. You are welcome to explore the 7.5-acre estate-go fishing or swim in the covered pool. PRASAD RAMAMURTHY Open September through March; anugrahakerala.com; price on request

EAGLE'S NEST, SIKKIM