For your last minute travels

Written by Femina
Posted on Dec 11, 2014, 09:27 IST
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Both Christmas 2014 and New Year 2015 fall on a Thursday and there's a 4 day long weekend opportunity right there. But if you haven’t had the time to plan anything interesting for yourself, don’t fret. Head to any of these weekend getaways close to your city and indulge. And if you must stay at home, we have a whole list of interesting things you can do to keep yourself busy and entertained.

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If you are placed in the capital city, there are a lot of options to choose from. Here are a few off beat destinations from Delhi.

Bharatpur

Distance:  182 kms from Delhi
Things to do: 
Nature trails, bird watching at the famous bird sanctuary and spotting wildlife would be the major part of your stay in Bharatpur.
 
Dehradun
Distance:  245 kms from Delhi
Enjoy the royal life at the impeccably manicured Golf course or indulge in some adventure by going for a trek or camping by the valley.

Binsar
Distance:  380 kms from Delhi
Things to do: 
If lazing around is your idea of a fun holiday, then Binsar is where you should be heading to. Enjoy a leisure stay on the foothills of Himalayas.

Bikaner
Distance:  437 kms from Delhi
Things to do: 
Head here for some amazing Rajasthani food and go back in time by visiting the various historical forts in and around Bikaner. Enjoy folk music and dance and get a sense of the rich culture.



If you are at Bangalore, choose any of these destinations for a quick rejuvenation…

Kabini
Distance: 205 kms from Bangalore
Things to do:
Take a walk at the Kabini River.
Treat your eyes and senses to the lush green of the Kabini Forest Reserve and enjoy the delightful sightings of herds of elephants.

Honnemardu
Distance:  370 kms from Bangalore
Things to do:
This is where the hills and the sea meet, making it apt for the adventure lover traveler. Go trekking or indulge in water sports, shop at the local market or just take a stroll by the beach and enjoy what nature has to offer.

Shivanasamudram
Distance:  122 kms from Bangalore
Things to do: Best option if you would like to go camping. The weather is right for staying outdoors and the nature trails at Shivanasamudram with regular spotting of waterfalls and wildlife will add to the memorable experience.



 



If you are in Hyderabad, here are your options…

Vijayawada
Distance:  273 kms from Hyderabad
Things to do:
For those looking for a leisure holiday, spend sometime visiting the museum or go boating and learn fishing. Taking a drive from Hyderabad to Vijaywada provide ample opportunities for your camera to go click-click.

Badami
Distance:  413 kms from Hyderabad
Things to do:
Archery, Rock Climbing, Fort, Archeology, History, Art gallery, Arts, Markets, Shopping, Scenic Point, Sightseeing, Temple

Hampi
Distance:  361 kms from Hyderabad
Things to do:
Rock climbing has to be on the cards if you head here. Live a bit of history by visiting the palaces and tombs. Be spoilt for choice at the local market. Seek some blessings at the temples.





Your options from Chennai...

Covelong

Distance: 34 kms from Chennai
Things to do:
A true delight for beach lovers. Spend a leisure evening taking a stroll by the beach and treating your tastebuds to local cuisine, with fresh catch from the coastline.

Vedanthangal
Distance: 34 kms from Chennai
Things to do:
Enjoy the bliss of simple country side living at Vedanthangal. Do visit the bird sanctuary. 

Pulicat
Distance: 55 kms from Chennai
Things to do:
Experience the Dutch living style at the tiny seashore town Pulicat. The picturesque beauty of the small town will engulf your senses and leave you rejuvenated.

 



You don’t need a reason to take a break and get away from the busy life of Mumbai. Here are your options.
 
Daman
Distance:  180 kms from Mumbai
Things to do:
Revisit history by visiting the forts or do a small picnic by the beach. Get close to nature by visiting the zoo and enjoy the natural waterfalls.

Tarkarli
Distance:  537 kms from Mumbai
Things to do: 
Walk on the beach and let the sun, sand and sea romance your senses. If you are the adventurous types, go boating, scuba diving or snorkeling.

Diveagar
Distance:  500 kms from Mumbai
Things to do:
Enjoy all things Goa without actually being in the beach city. Head to Diveagar to enjoy water sports, clean beaches and waterfalls.



If staying at home is your scene this long weekend, then here’s what you can do:

Meet your neighbors
Do you know your neighbours? Chances are that you haven’t got the chance to know who stays on the same floor as you, considering the busy lifestyles we lead. Go say hi today. Invite them over for a cup of tea and who knows, you might make a new friend right there.

Media rehash
We all have collected a host of books that we have read or will never read, music CDs that we have stopped listening to, DVDs of movies that we are done watching. Take them all out today and check which ones to keep and which ones to let go off. Reading a random paragraph from an old book or listening to a song that used to be your favourite a decade back, will surely bring back some sweet memories.

Get started
Wanted to take up something new but couldn’t due to lack of time. Well, now you have five days to set the wheels rolling. Be it starting that blog or kick-starting a fitness routine, this is the perfect time to start and make it a part of your day.

Stock up
There’s nothing like a home cooked meal. But a lot of times we are too pressed for time to cook up something in our kitchen and end up eating out. Digging a deeper hole in our pockets and adding up calories. But this is the time to be prepared for the week to come. Clean and cut your veggies, boil some rice or pasta and refrigerate, stock up your fruits, make some healthy dips and chutneys for your roti or bread. Make a week wise, meal wise menu so that you don’t have to sit and think on what to make. Since it is the preparation that takes longer than actual cooking, with all the planning in place, playing chef will become easier.

Get in touch
In our busy lives, we seldom find time to get in touch with our loved ones, friends and family and talk to them at length. The increasing use of social media and messenger services has made us less social. We communicate all the time but it’s not personal anymore. Pick up the phone and talk to people who are important to you. Give you’re your undivided attention and make them feel special and loved.

Get your dose of Bollywood
Two big movies are releasing this long weekend - Hrithik Roshan and Katrina Kaif starrer Bang Bang and Shahid Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor starrer Haider. Choose which one you want to watch or better still, go watch both. Do remember to book your tickets in advance to get confirmed reservation and better seats.

Plan next vacation
You ended up staying at home this time, but be prepared for the next long holiday. It is the festive season after all. Do some research and pick a place, check out the air and rail fares, check the possibility of a road trip. Also, check stay options and deals. Once you are sure, make bookings and spend the time until the vacation in a happy bliss.

 

 

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