Working a full-time job might not leave you with much time to travel and explore new places. Therefore, we have prepared you a list of nine small towns that are perfect for weekend escapes from the three big metropolitan cities. No need of saving up your off days and going out for long vacations for a break, when you can go to a new destination every week.
Delhi
Ruskin Bond's very own
Description: Set in the foothills of Himachal Pradesh, Landour is 6km from Mussoorie and is known to be Ruskin Bond's residence. This little hill town is one of the offbeat places in Himachal. It is just as serene as any other hill station, but with less number of people around. Dotted with old colonial houses, slope forests and few cafes that serve some delicious local food, Landour boasts its rich history and still remains to be a non-commercialized cantonment town. This a perfect place to be for all mountain lovers who are looking for a peaceful getaway.
Top Things to do: Take a tour of the oldest house called Mullingar in this hill station; Try the local food at the famous Char Dukan; Experience a picturesque sunrise at the Lal Tibba which is the second highest point in Mussoorie; Take some time to visit the St. Paul's church.
How to get there: The best way to reach Landour is via road. There are several buses that run from Delhi to Mussoorie. You will have to take another local bus or taxi to reach Landour from Mussoorie which is at a distance of 6km.
Daily Budget: A budget traveller can expect an average daily expenditure of ₹700. A luxury traveller can expect an average daily expenditure of ₹3,000.
Best time to visit: Best time to visit Landour is from March to June when the temperatures are moderate during the day making the weather perfect for excursions in the hills.
Places to stay: Luxury travellers can choose to stay at Rokbey Manor. For budget travellers, Hotel Landour Residency is a decent option.
Prayers in the air
Description: Another weekend getaway destination that is set in Himachal Pradesh is Rewalsar. Rewalsar, quaint little town attracts tourists as much as it attracts pilgrims. Known for its temples, gurudwaras and Buddhist monasteries, the place also weaves magic with its natural beauty for every traveller. With a history of dating back to the 14th century, the priests and monks in Rewalsar create a mystical atmosphere in the whole town with their bells and prayers. The town comes to life during the Buddhist Sisu Mela which is a significant part of Rewalsar’s culture.
Top Things to do: Take out time to visit Ugartara Temple, Jigar Monastery and Guru Gobind Singh Gurudwara. Visit Rewalsar at the time of Sisu fair when the town comes to life.
How to get there: Rewalsar is 433km away from Delhi and can be easily reached by bus.
Daily Budget: A budget traveller can expect an average daily expenditure of ₹797. A luxury traveller can expect an average daily expenditure of ₹3,982.
Best time to visit: Best time to visit Rewalsar is from March to May and the months of October and November. It is when the temperature in Rewalsar is mild and the weather is pleasant for sightseeing.
Places to stay: Budget travellers can choose to stay at GC Homestay which is near the post office. For luxury travellers, Munish Resorts is a good option.
Lake of nine corners
Description: Naukuchiatal is one of the hidden gems of Nainital. With just one 175m deep lake, Naukuchiatal has made it to the list of all bird watchers. Set at a height of 1200m above the sea level in midst of hills and forests, this little town is considered to be a pleasant getaway from Delhi's scorching heat. For all the travel enthusiasts, the place offers a variety of options like paragliding, rowing and yachting. The hill station also attracts a lot of birds and is considered to be a bird watcher's paradise. Angling is another activity that travellers can try their hands on.
Top Things to do: The magnificent nine cornered lake is the highlight of Naukuchiatal; Go for angling in Jungliagaon; Enjoy the panoramic view of the town from Mukteshwar; Visit the Bhimtal Lake which is just 5km away from Naukuchital.
How to get there: The best way to reach Naukuchital is via road. There are several buses that run from Delhi to Nainital. You will have to take another local bus or taxi to reach Naukuciatal from Nainital which is at a distance of 25km.
Daily Budget: A budget traveller can expect an average daily expenditure of ₹700. A luxury traveller can expect an average daily expenditure of ₹3,000.
Best time to visit: Best time to visit Naukuchiatal from March to June, when the temperatures are moderate making the weather perfect for outdoor activities in the hills.
Places to stay: Budget travellers can choose to stay at Cozy Cottage Nakuchiyatal. For luxury travellers, Club Mahindra Naukuchiatal is a good option.
Mumbai
Of the forts and beaches
Description: With a long stretch of the western coastline, Palghar boasts three pristine beaches which can be a perfect getaway for anyone looking to escape the city life. For those who do not want to kick back and relax on the beaches and want to explore the region, then Palghar has too many fort options just for them. There are more than eight forts in Palghar which means your weekend is just sorted. So, plan your weekend and be prepared to dig deep into the history of Palghar, where you can find the traces of every empire that ruled the region.
Top Things to do: Walk down the lane of history in some of the popular forts in Palghar Arnala Fort, Jawahar Rajwada and Gambhirgadh. Rejuvenate yourself with a beach day at Kelava beach and Arnala beach. Take some time and visit Jivdani Temple.
How to get there: The town is 106km away from Mumbai and can be reached via state or private buses.
Daily Budget: A budget traveller can expect an average daily expenditure of ₹1000. A luxury traveller can expect an average daily expenditure of ₹4,000.
Best time to visit: October to March is when the temperatures are moderate making the weather perfect for sightseeing and beach days
Places to stay: Budget travellers can choose Mamacha Gaon. For luxury travellers, Mango Leaf Resort is a good option.
Perfect beaches for perfect weekends
The coastal town in Raigad district of Maharashtra is perfect for a beach bum. It is just where you need to be on the upcoming long weekend. A wide range of adventure sports like kiteboarding, sea kayaking, jet-ski and banana rides are available for all the travellers. With four forts just a few kilometers away from the main beach, Alibag is also a great hiking spot for travellers looking for something else. The town is also adorned with few temples that have become popular locations for tourists.
Top Things to do: Spend your day at the beautiful beaches of Alibag; Try water sports in Nagaon; Take a trip to all the forts of Alibaug like the Colaba Fort, Revdanda Fort and Murud Janjira; Take out some time to visit the famous Rameshwar temple in Chaul.
How to get there: Take a ferry from the Gateway of India to the Mandwa Depot where the local operators provide bus services to Alibag and return.
Daily Budget: A budget traveller can expect an average daily expenditure of ₹1000. A luxury traveller can expect an average daily expenditure of ₹4,000.
Best time to visit: January to July is generally considered as the best time to visit Alibag. It is when the temperatures are moderate making the weather perfect for the perfect beaches.
Places to stay: Budget travellers can choose Prasanna Hotel. For luxury travellers, caza del saxo is a good option.
The Portuguese connection
Silvassa is a town where its population speaks both Portuguese and Gujarati. It is the capital of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and attracts several tourists for its distinct Portuguese influence on architecture, lifestyle and culture of the town. Dotted with several gardens, Silvassa also has beautiful landscapes that serve as a perfect escape from the modern cityscapes.
Top Things to do: Explore the history and natural beauty of this place in these ways; Take a tour of Silvassa Tribal Museum; Visit the Roman Catholic Church; Spend some time at the Dudhni Lake; Get that adrenaline rush in Silvassa at the Water Sports Complex.
How to get there: With just 173km away from Mumbai, Silvassa is easily reachable via bus which generally passes the Western Express Highway.
Daily Budget: A budget traveller can expect an average daily expenditure of ₹1500. A luxury traveller can expect an average daily expenditure of ₹6,000.
Best time to visit: Though Silvassa is considered as an all year destination, November to June is still the best time to visit the town. During this time, the temperature in Silvassa drops making it a perfect hill station destination for all the people in Mumbai, who rarely experience the winters. Also, the pleasant weather makes outdoor activities much enjoyable.
Places to stay: Budget travellers can choose Pioneer Hotel. For luxury travellers, Treat Resort is a good option.
Bengaluru
For the love of hills and coffee
Take a walk into the coffee plantations of Chikmagalur and get to know about the journey of a coffee bean from fruit to powder. Set in midst of Western Ghats, Chikmagalur is a treat for the eye. With lush green forests, countryside landscapes and steep valleys, the place is just where you need to be for your next weekend trip. The pleasant weather of the place will never disappoint a trekker. The hill station is also famous for its wildlife and adventure sports. When in Karnataka, make sure you do not forget to add this town in your itinerary.
Top Things to do: Trek to the highest peak of Karnataka, Mullayanagiri, in Chikmagalur; Take some time to visit the temple town of Belur; Enjoy the beautiful sunset at Hirekolale Lake; Visit the Jhari falls also known as the Buttermilk falls when in Chikmagalur.
How to get there: Located 244km away from Bengaluru, Chikmagalur is easily reachable by road. Several buses run from Bengaluru to Chickmagalur.
Daily Budget: A budget traveller can expect an average daily expenditure of ₹600. A luxury traveller can expect an average daily expenditure of ₹4,000
Best time to visit: Chikmagalur is a hill station, therefore if you are looking for an escape from summers, then March to May is the best time to go to Chikmagalur. If you want to avoid the crowd, then September to April is the best time to visit the town.
Places to stay: Budget travellers can choose Hotel Purvana. For luxury travellers, Shishila Hills Jungle Stay is a good option.
One beach a day
Here is something for every beach person in Bengaluru who can't take trips to Goa on weekends. With several pristine beaches, Gokarna still remains untouched by commercialisation and therefore, does not have very happening nightlife like Goa. Nonetheless, the place has its own beauty. With several cheap accommodations available, the place is a popular destination among backpackers. There are four popular beaches that attract most of the tourists and surfers. On a weekend trip, beach bums can visit one new beach every day. Travellers looking for more can explore other beaches that are far away from human traces.
Top Things to do: Sit back and relax on the pristine beaches like the Om beach, Paradise beach, Halfmoon beach and Gokarna beach; Take some time to visit the famous Mahabaleshwar Temple; Go on a nig1ht trek along the beaches; Explore the man-made tank called Koli Teertha.
How to get there: Located 400km away from Bengaluru, Gokarna is easily reachable by road. Several buses run from Bengaluru to Gokarna.
Daily Budget: A budget traveller can expect an average daily expenditure of ₹600. A luxury traveller can expect an average daily expenditure of ₹3,000.
Best time to visit: Best time to visit Gokarna is during October to June. This is when there is no rain and the weather is pleasant for sightseeing and other activities.
Places to stay:
Budget travellers can choose Namaste Samudra Yoga House. For luxury travellers, Kahani Paradise is a good option.
Up above the clouds
A sunrise from the top of Nandi Hills is all you need to squeeze out all your tiredness. Nandi Hills has a history that dates back to 18th century and is considered as a perfect summer weekend getaway from Bengaluru. Start your day BYvisiting the Nandi fortress and witnessing the picturesque sunlight from the top. The layer of thick white visible cloud makes the sunrise all the more beautiful. Covered with densely forested slopes, the birds' eye view of this place is breathtaking. The town is also religiously significant for Hindus.
Top Things to do: Visit Tipu Sultan's Fort; Enjoy a panoramic view of the town from Tipu Drop; Take some time to visit the ancient Bhoga Nandeeshwar Temple; Go cycling in the Nandi Hills terrain and enjoy the endless beauty of the place.
How to get there: Located 60km away from Bengaluru, Nandi Hills is easily reachable by road. Several KSRTC buses run from Bengaluru to Nandi hills.
Daily Budget: A budget traveller can expect an average daily expenditure of ₹600. A luxury traveller can expect an average daily expenditure of ₹3,000.
Best time to visit: Best time to visit Nandi Hills is during October to June. This is when there is no rain and the weather is pleasant for sightseeing and other activities.
Places to stay: Budget travellers can choose Mount Palazzo. For luxury travellers, KSTDC Hotel Mayura Pine Top is a good option.
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