For my wife's 40th birthday,we decided not to celebrate by doing the run-of-the-mill Goa or Dubai holiday with a bunch of friends, but instead booked ourselves a weekend stay at the Citrus County, a Homestay near Hoshiarpur. I was nervous about the quality of our experience especially since Punjab is not particularly known for its Homestays. Boy was I pleasantly surprised! Citrus County is a delightful gem. This charming Homestay, having nine well equipped and comfortable tents, is very well-run by the husband wife team of Harkirat and Jasween. Harkirat, the quentissential gregarious and fun loving Punjabi, organises wonderful experiences that makes your experience truly memorable. We thoroughly enjoyed our walks with Harkirat in his Orchards, where he described in detail, the several varieties of Citrus fruits being cultivated.
The picnics at their beautiful camp-site were lovely, with delicious food cooked live on traditional mud Chulhas, our boys playing with the farm animals, while we soaked in the beautiful environs and admired the not so distant Shiwaliks. The sumptous meals by the bonfire, gazing at the stars while enjoying a drink, were a perfect end to the splendid day out in the farms. Jasween is the perfect hostess, thoughtful and well organised, and the staff at their Homestay was polite and always eager to help. I also do recommend a visit to Hoshiarpur if one wants to experience a quaint Punjabi town, which is bustling with energy. All in all, a perfect way for us to celebrate my wife's 40th!
