You Must Visit These 8 Weekend Getaways From Delhi To Get A Break From The City

Impromptu journeys can be loaded with fun and excitement. Here are a few refreshing weekend getaways that can be planned in a jiffy.

icture courtesy: Mail Today

From the solo travellers to those who believe in exploring with their gang, weekend getaways are emerging as a popular vacation option. Pocket friendly and easy to plan, they act as a quick and natural stress-buster. With the tremendous rise in stress due to work and sedentary lifestyle, a short trip is a great way to revive and refresh the mind and body. All one needs to do is call up some friends, fill the tank, and start the engine. Self-drive holidays are evolving as a popular option among Delhites.

"Indian travellers are opening up to intellectually and educationally enriching getaways along with traditional sightseeing vacations. They like to plan their outings with family and children where the place doesn't matter as long as it is a mini vacation," says Rajeev Kale, President & COO - Leisure Travel (Outbound, MICE, Domestic & Sports Holidays), Thomas Cook (India) Ltd. A short weekend getaway gives them an opportunity to relax and unwind without compromising on their professional life. "What better way than going on a long drive to a weekend getaway and spending that quality time right from the moment you step into your car," says Kushal Walia, spokesperson, TravelTriangle. Experts also feel that the rise in disposable incomes, improved road conditions, improved navigation system and the fact that Delhi has a number of weekend destinations in the vicinity which are easily drivable are some of the reasons that have added to the popularity of weekend getaways. One also doesn't need to have deep pockets to plan a quick break with family or friends, which makes the idea of a short break all the more attractive and doable.

"Self-drive holidays are economical for a family travelling together. Such holidays assure more control over the journey and ensure that one travels at his/her own pace and stop when one wants," adds Walia. Delhiites have turned on their ignition to cover the nearby destinations of Uttaranchal and Himachal Pradesh, which are not more than a few hundred kilometres away. Jaipur and Nainital are also some of the frequent weekend destinations for the city dwellers. If you are thinking of taking a short break to get out of the monotony of city life, then just get in the driver's seat and drive to these 8 refreshing weekend getaways at a stone's throw from Delhi.

WEEKEND GETAWAYS NEAR DELHI

1. SARISKA TIGER RESERVE
DISTANCE FROM DELHI: 216 km
BEST TIME TO VISIT: October to June
ATTRACTIONS: Royal Bengal Tigers, Leopards, Antelopes, Chital, Nilgai, and Avifauna
ACTIVITIES: Wildlife safari and spotting, parasailing, and scuba diving in Alwar Lake

2. ABHNERI AND DHAUSA
DISTANCE FROM DELHI: 273 km
BEST TIME TO VISIT: September to March
ATTRACTIONS: Mehandipur Balaji Temple, Abhaneri, Khwaraoji
ACTIVITIES: Sightseeing, Festivals, Village Safari, Jeep Safari at Dhausa Dunes

3. NAUKUCHIATAL
DISTANCE FROM DELHI: 312 km
BEST TIME TO VISIT: March to Mid-November
ATTRACTIONS: Naukuchiatal and many temples
ACTIVITIES: Nature Walks, Paragliding, Kayaking, Boating, Horse riding and Bird Watching

4. DHANAULTI
DISTANCE FROM DELHI: 325 km
BEST TIME TO VISIT: March to June
ATTRACTIONS: Aloo Khet, Eco Park, and Surkanda Devi Temple
ACTIVITIES: Trekking, Mountain Climbing and Camping

5. KANATAL
DISTANCE FROM DELHI: 310 km
BEST TIME TO VISIT: Throughout the year
ATTRACTIONS: Kodia Jungle, Tehri Dam, and Chamba
ACTIVITIES: Trekking, Hiking, Rappelling, and Nature Walks

6. MORNI
DISTANCE FROM DELHI: 260 km
BEST TIME TO VISIT: Throughout the year
ATTRACTIONS: Mansa Devi Temple and Gurudwara Nada Saheb
ACTIVITIES: Boating, Trekking, and Camping

7. LANSDOWNE
DISTANCE FROM DELHI: 249 km
BEST TIME TO VISIT: Throughout the year
ATTRACTIONS:War Memorial, Tip n Top View Point and St. Mary's Church
ACTIVITIES: Trekking, Mountaineering, Boating, Paddling, Star Gazing, and Jungle Safari

8. PARWANOO
DISTANCE FROM DELHI: 265 km
BEST TIME TO VISIT: Mid-May to Mid-October
ATTRACTIONS: Cactus Garden, Pinjore Garden, Gorkha Fort
ACTIVITY: Cable Car Ride

Kerala - Snake Boat Race Has Bagged An Award In The Destination Category 2016

kerala boat race

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:  Kerala Tourism's pavilion themed on the famous snake boat race has bagged an award in the destination category along with Mexico, Japan and Nepal at FITUR, the second largest travel and tourism fair in Spain.

The Kerala pavilion won the best stand award for design, communication and professionalism at the 36th edition of the five-day FITUR that ends on Sunday.

The event was attended by 9,500 companies from 165 countries.

The Kerala pavilion, which was adorned by two replicas of the snake boat, was one of the most-photographed pavilions.

"The award for our pavilion is a huge honour for our state," said Kerala's Tourism Minister A.P. Anil Kumar, who led the state delegation at FITUR.

Four co-exhibitors, representing the state's private tourism and hospitality sector, took part in the pavilion, built on a 60 square metre area.

The pavilion was conceived and designed by Stark Communications, the marketing agency of Kerala Tourism and executed by art director Sabu Sivan and his team.

Kerala Tourism's principal secretary G. Kamala Vardhana Rao termed it a "significant international honour bestowed at the world's second most important travel and tourism industry event".

FITUR, organised by Madrid's trade fair organisation or IFEMA (Feria de Madrid), was held at the IFEMA Convention Centre, one of the biggest exhibition grounds in the world.

Kerala - The Best Family Destination Award Got Once Again 2016

KERALA

Kerala has once again been named as the best family destination in the country at the Lonely Planet Magazine India (LPMI) Travel Awards 2016.

Kerala Tourism Director U V Jose received the award at a function in Mumbai on Monday, a release said in Thiruvananthapuram.

The annual awards showcase the best travel experiences available to Indians and anoint the best service providers, the preferred places to stay and the destinations Indians most love to visit, it said.

Nominations for the awards are shortlisted by a panel of travel experts and professionals, following which readers vote both online and in the magazine.

Besides being judged the best place to take the family along for a holiday, Kerala was also nominated in the best destination for 'culture' and 'to relax' categories.

Kerala Tourism had earlier won the Ulysses Prize of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation for its contribution as a global leader to sustainable tourism, the release added.