A sea plane ride to Lonavla or a visit to Dharamshala's Kotwali Bazaar: What's your pick for a quick getaway?

FROM MUMBAI: SEA PLANE RIDE TO PAVANA DAM, LONAVLA

A quick visit to Lonavla’s Pavana Dam couldn’t get more exciting than this -Book yourself on a sea plane and take a picturesque journey thereon. Competitively priced and attracting many Mumbaiites since its launch, a flight to Pavana Dam is gaining popularity steadily, especially during long weekends. The plane, which flies at a height of around 7,000 feet, gives passengers a bird’s eye view of the city.

This service is booming Lonavla’s tourism and so, by extension, its economy and infrastructure. So, what happens when you set flight from Juhu aerodrome in Mumbai. The plane will land on Pavana Dam’s catchment area in Lonavla. After landing on the dam, passengers are whisked away to a small resort via a speed boat from where they could take other modes of transport. You can enjoy the scenic beauty of Pavana Dam and then return later by the plane or by road, whichever way you choose. The dam is built over the Pavana Lake, which is not too crowded and offers a peaceful time to visitors. A tiny getaway in Kamshet, Pavana Lake can often be seen teeming with families out on a weekend morning where kids and adults come to enjoy the view with some sandwiches in their picnic basket. Want to follow suit? Then go fly! FROM DELHI: KOTWALI BAZAAR, FORSYTH GANJ, HP

The names of Kotwali Bazaar and Forsyth Ganj may sound unusual to you but these locales are perched inside the popular precincts of Dharamshala. Kotwali Bazar is a suburb and is beautifully situated at the foothills of Dhauladhar Mountains of Kangra District. Tourists like to visit Kotwali Bazar as it is home to local attractions including the Kangra Art Museum, Jama Masjid Dharamshala and Sangam, Gandhi, and Nehru parks. There is a central market where shopping is just amazing with local artefacts. Forsyth Ganj was named after a Divisional Commissioner of British India. It is a popular settlements of the Tibetan Buddhists. Here, you can walk along to visit St John’s Church. A memorial of Lord Elgin (former British Viceroy) in the churchyard. Not too far from here is the Bhagsunath Temple, Dharamkot and Mcleodganj.

SHOPAHOLICS ALERT: Shop for masks, decorative items and winterwear.

FROM BANGALORE: BHUTARAMANAHATTI, KARNATAKA

If your kids show great amazement at the sight of gurgling waterfalls, tall canopy of trees and peacocks near their feet, then it’s time you connect them to rural settings and turn their curiosity into awe. Truly, the ideal way to detox from urban living is to head to a village closeby and enjoy a stay at a hamlet. Home-stay is a popular option in Karnataka’s Belgaum. And a short drive to Bhutaramanahatti, a small village in Belgaum District promises to be a trip with nature’s best gifts. A little knowledge about the geographical position of Bhutaramanahatti on the state map can be a picnic task for your kids. Inform them with smart clues that Bhutaramanahatti is surrounded by Bylahongal Taluk towards East , Khanapur Taluk towards South , Chandgad Taluk towards West and Hukeri Taluk towards North. If you have some more days in hand then drive along to Belgaum’s main town area too. The friendly locals at Bhutaramanahatti are worshippers of mother nature and speak in Kannada.

Once here, take a day picnic to the mini zoo where white peacocks are the biggest attraction for tourists and visitors. Later, a hot meal can be had at the tiffin stalls where ‘Meals Ready’ tag is hung at all times. Fancy a nice post-meal walk, then take the path that is lined with trees and enjoy the fresh cool breeze as the sun sets brightly.

www.karnatakatourism.or