This Indian destination feels surprisingly alpine

Tucked away among the upper reaches of the western Himalayas, lies the beautiful Gulmarg, a destination that can tend to leave even first-time visitors momentarily disoriented (in a good way). With the broad meadows, fir-lined slopes and distant snow-capped peaks, it has more of an Alpine than Indian look at first glance. Perched at approximately 2,650 m above sea level, the open vistas of Gulmarg and its cool mountain air make it feel you have been transported to Switzerland or Austria, but all this is in India.