Bangalore: Vacation and travel is a key toll in stress management and bringing work-life balance. Considering the long week end ahead, corporate executives have already lined up tour and travel plans. Monday is Independence Day, Wednesday is Parsi New Year, and Thursday is Rakhya Bandan. If any one takes one or two days of leaves, he/she is supposed to get three-four days of holiday and plan vacations accordingly.
HolidayIQ, India travel community, has curated a list of 8 top destinations that one can visit this long weekend. Matheran, Hampi, Rishikesh, Mussorie found places in the list prepared by the travel portal. Corporate executives can select any of these eight places and have enjoyable weekend. Hari Nair, CEO and Founder, HolidayIQ said, “A few years ago, people were not willing to go beyond 200 kms for a short holiday. However, now more people are willing to go beyond 350 kms because of good roads and transportation. We have seen a rapid growth in travel during long weekends. The Weekend Getaway feature on the HolidayIQ app for instance, allows users to find various weekend getaway options at a click of a button.”
Here find the Top Eight travel domestic destinations prepared by HolidayIQ.
Romance in the hills of Matheran: Matheran is located on the Western Ghats range, at an elevation of around 800 m (2,625 feet) above sea level. It is also India’s smallest hill station and is located around 83 kms from Mumbai. This hill station has 38 designated look out points including the Panorama Point that gives a 360 degrees view of the surrounding areas. It is a perfect destination for a quiet weekend with family, friends or a special someone.
Enjoy the tranquillity at Mahabaleshwar: Situated on the Western Ghats, this hill station is surrounded by several wonderful tourist locations. The Pratapgad Fort is to its West, the Lingmala waterfall is to its East and the Panchaganga is located to its North. The Venna Lake, dotted with colourful boats, is also one of the most popular spots in Mahabaleshwar. This place is ideal for a short getaway to experience peace and serenity.
Explore your wild side at Bandipur: For all the wild souls living in Karnataka, Bandipur National Park is the best place for a long weekend. Once a hunting ground for Maharajas, the national park boasts of a small population of tigers and is all of 874 square kilometres in area. About 230 km from Bangalore and 80 km from Mysore, this could be an unconventional vacation spot for holidayers.
Experience the rich cultural heritage of Hampi: Hampi which is located in Northern Karnataka is now a popular tourist spot and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The small town is an architectural wonder with its wonderful temples. Best known as a religious site, Hampi has also been gaining popularity among youngsters for its rich cultural heritage.
Detox and find peace at Rishikesh: If adventure sports is your thing, the holy town of Rishikesh might be the best place for your weekend escape. Known for white river rafting and trekking, the town is vegetarian and alcohol-free. Go to Rishikesh and experience peace and tranquillity.
Relax at Mussorie: The hilly town with its British influence has been a favourite tourist spot for Indians for generations. The multitude of tourist spots varying from waterfalls to temples will make a short trip to Mussorie over the weekend completely worthwhile.
Create memories with your family at Lonavala: Lonavala needs no introduction for people living in Maharashtra. Every person who has lived in this state has visited this beautiful hill station at least once and that is where the charm of this place remains. The calm and silent hilly town, best known for its production of chikki, has several Buddhist caves such as the Karla Caves, Bhaja Caves and Bedsa in its vicinity.
Experience pure natural beauty in Panchgani: Famous for its premier educational institutions, Panchgani is also quite well-known as a tourism spot. Though you would have missed the strawberry festivals held in the town, the good weather and a variety of interesting tourist spots like Table Land, Parsi Point and Devil’s Garden is great for this long Independence Day weekend.
