India — places to stay

To everyone visiting India for the first time!!!! I’ve put together a list of places we stayed on our trip that I’d love to recommend.. Of course, it’s all a matter of taste:) North India - *Kasol: Highly, highly recommend Yan's place guesthouse—if you’re lucky enough to get a room. Beyond the lovely rooms and excellent restaurant, Sonia and Yan are a wonderful, warm couple who will quickly become your second family. I have to mention that when we left, they even bought us gifts!!!!!! In short, perfect. *Dharamshala: Mooche's, a guesthouse and restaurant owned by the coolest Israelis you’ll ever meet!!!!! Yuvi and Moshe opened a guesthouse in Bhagsu, Dharamshala, with lovely rooms, insanely good food (especially the hummus), and an atmosphere like no other!!!!! *Apart from guesthouses, I also want to recommend Shemesh, an absolute legend of a travel agent who helped us with everything we needed at fair prices and with so much love!!!!!! *The one and only Dudu Falafel! Falafel and sabich as good as back in Israel, with all the extras! *Anita, the Indian singing teacher (in upper Bhagsu, at the “Varanasi Music School”). Anita is amazing and patient, teaching vocal technique and classical Indian singing. She’s talented, and there’s so much to learn from her, even if you’ve never tried it before.. This is the place for you. *The “white rabbit” restaurant in upper Bhagsu.. They serve an Israeli meal just like home!!!! Dips and all (worth the climb?) Manali - Robin’s shop—what a legend!!!!! Near Shalom’s iPod shop. Robin sells silver and gold jewelry he designs himself (he’s wild). Everything in the shop is made from genuine materials—no fakes or rings that turn your fingers green. Fair prices, and one of the nicest, most interesting Indians I’ve spoken to ? South India - **KC Guesthouse (Dudu Falafel) in Hampi. People said it was full of Israelis, that we wouldn’t find any peace and quiet there.. We found a new family! Shankar is the most amazing person, treating us to sfenj doughnuts before Shabbat and making us sandwiches when we left. And any problem we had, KC, the guesthouse owner, solved in minutes? Andaman Islands - Coconut Grove!!!!!! Our home in India! Nothing more to add! That’s it!!!! Hope this helps someone.