Labor Day is just around the corner and most of us have holiday on Tuesday (1st May). Taking one leave on 30th April gives us 4 days of long weekend. I am here to help you choose a place around Kolkata where you can utilize this time and rejuvenate a little without putting a hole in your pocket.
North Bengal
Northern part of West Bengal is commonly known as North Bengal. A visit here is a treasured experience for nature lovers. It comprises of many beautiful locations. One can enjoy the breathtaking view of Himalyas in North Bengal. You can explore Darjeeling, Lava, LoleyGaon, Rishop among many.
Refer to this link for full itinerary of Lava Loleygaon.
How to reach:
From Kolkata you have many overnight trains to New Jalpaiguri and from Jalpaiguri you have options of taking shared cabs or book a personal cab to any of the above mentioned places.
Gangtok is bustling town and capital of Sikkim. It is one the cleanest cities you would come across in India. This place would give you a mix of city vibes and mountain innocence. Gives a perfect view of Himalayan range. There are many places nearby which you can explore as well like, Yumthang, Lachung, Baba Mandir, Zuluk, Tsomgo / Changu Lake and Rishikola.
How to reach:
Same as North Bengal. From Kolkata you have overnight trains to New Jalpaiguri .From Jalpaiguri you have options of taking shared cabs or book a personal cab to any of the above mentioned places.
Vizag or Visakhapatnam is largest city in Andhra Pradesh. Vizag is sorrounded by enchanting hills on one side and beautiful sea beaches on other. Thus you can conquer your love for sea beaches and mountains at the same time. You can visit Araku Valley which is 600-900m above sea level and is a hill station. Try taking the train for breathtaking views of waterfalls and mountain ranges.
How to Reach:
Kolkata to Vizag is around 880 Km You can either fly or take the over night train. It takes around 12-13 hours by train.
For the beach enthusiasts or those religious souls. This is a perfect getaway. One can visit Jagannath Temple or/and stroll around those beaches. You can also visit Chilka lake which is Asia’s largest salt-water lagoon and is separated from the Bay of Bengal by a sandy ridge. Try going to opposite side of the lake with Boat to Satpada beach. Satpada beach is one the the less explored beaches and hence clean and white.
How to Reach:
Kolkata to Puri is around 500Km and many trains are available. It takes around 8 hours to reach Puri. Nearest airport is Bhubaneswar.
Varanasi, the most religious city of India, where life and death meet. Not really a touristy place but a city you need to visit once in your life. Evening aarti in Varanasi is a must visit. The holi cow, narrow roads, hustle and bustle of the city. The feel is straight out of a Hindi movie.
How to reach:
Kolkata to Varanasi is around 680Km. There are many trains between the two. It takes around 12 hour by train. There is no direct flight.
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