The Long Weekends In 2017 Revealed - Here's Where You Should Head To Best Enjoy Them

There's nothing better than having plenty of time to do the things you like. For instance, planning an entire year's travel ahead of time so all that's left in the end is deciding what to pack. Luckily for us, the list of long weekends in 2017 is out and we're all set with markers and calendars. The universe wants you to take that long overdue vacation and you should listen.

JANUARY

Compare India

Thu, 26 Jan: Republic Day

Fri, 27 Jan: Take leave

Sat, 28 Jan

Sun, 29 Jan

Where to go: Kalimpong, West Bengal. There's plenty to see here like Galinka and Crockety bungalows (built during the British rule); the vast expanse of snow-laden mountains. It is said that the view of the Teesta river valley is one to behold, especially during January.

This month is also a good time for a visit to Ranthambore National Park near Sawai Madhopur in Rajasthan. This sanctuary for India's tigers is split up into 10 zones and each of these are home to different species of animals like tigers, leopards, hyenas, black buck, chital, nilgai, the Indian wild boar and various other types of birds.

FEBRUARY

blogs.timesofindia

Fri, 24 Feb: Mahashivratri

Sat, 25 Feb

Sun, 26 Feb

Where to go: Gulmarg in Jammu and Kashmir is ideal for honeymooners, city dwellers who miss the snow or any traveller looking to indulge in some snow sports. The biggest plus is this place is almost untouched compared to its cousins, Manali and Shimla, and perhaps has more to offer with expansive views of valleys and mountains. Yet another option is to head to Bir in Joginder Nagar Valley in Himachal Pradesh. There's something for everyone here - from the annual World Paragliding Chamionship, to peaceful Buddhist monasteries and even a tea factory where you can trace your favourite cuppa to its roots.

MARCH

British Journal of Photography

Sat, 11 Mar

Sun, 12 Mar

Mon, 13 Mar: Holi

-

Sat, 25 Mar

Sun, 26 Mar

Mon, 27 Mar: Take leave

Tue, 28 Mar: Gudi Padva

Where to go: March is the perfect month to indulge in some soul-stirring activities. And what better way to break out of winter's clutches than with a colourful holi in Braj? Braj, around Mathura-Vrindavan, in Uttar Pradesh, is known for the way it celebrates this important festival; Mathura is known to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna while Vrindavan is where he spent his childhood. Alternatively, you can dive into the pristine waters surrounding Havelock Island, Andaman and Nicobar Islands. You can also visit Elephant Beach or go scuba diving.

APRIL-MAY

Bout

Sat, 1 Apr

Sun, 2 Apr

Mon, 3 Apr: Take leave

Tue, 4 Apr: Ram Navami

-

Thu, 13 Apr: Vaisakhi

Fri, 14 Apr: Dr Ambedkar Jayanti, Good Friday

Sat, 15 Apr

Sun, 16 Apr: Easter

-

Sat, 29 Apr

Sun, 30 Apr

Mon, 1 May: May Day

Where to go: Auli in Uttarakhand lies off the beaten piste and April is the best month to visit here when temperatures are anywhere between 10 and 17 degrees. You can either hole yourself in a small cottage or plan easy-to-take day treks. Or head to the south - more like, Wayanad in Kerala. A walk though the lush, green tea plantations, picturesque views and refreshing walks is enough to kickstart the senses currently reeling under unwanted city smells.

JUNE

Kalaahut

Sat, 24 Jun

Sun, 25 Jun

Mon, 26 Jun: Ramzan Eid

Where to go: Gangtok is easily Sikkim's most beautiful town. A bountiful selection of pleasing valley views and peaceful air that has to do with its Buddhist centres. June is also when monsoon stirs up this little town enough to give the tourist some saturated and generous views. In case you'd like to see Eid celebrations, no better place than Hyderabad to do so. The local markets and the area around Charminar is usually brimming twice as much with life.

AUGUST

Photokatha.in

Sat, 12 Aug

Sun, 13 Aug

Mon, 14 Aug: Janmashtami

Tue, 15 Aug: Independence Day

Wed, 16 Aug: Take leave

Thu, 17 Aug: Parsi New Year

Fri, 18 Aug: Take leave

Sat, 19 Aug

Sun, 20 Aug

-

Fri, 25 Aug: Ganesh Chaturthi

Sat, 26 Aug

Sun, 27 Aug

Where to go: Cherrapunjee, Meghalaya. This is when monsoon is at its peak and being the second most wet place on earth and seeing it in all its glory makes sense. You can almost imagine those raintime treks, can't you? When in Meghalaya, do also try the local tea which is quite different from tea grown anywhere else in India. And you haven't lived if you haven't been to Mumbai during Ganesh Chaturthi. After all, Maharashtra is known for it grander than grand Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. 

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER

IndianRoots

Sat, 30 Sep

Sun, 1 Oct

Mon, 2 Oct: Gandhi Jayanti

-

Sat, 14 Oct

Sun, 15 Oct

Mon, 16 Oct: Dhanteras

Tue, 17 Oct: Naraka Chaturdashi

Wed, 18 Oct: Diwali

Thu, 19 Oct: Balipratipada

Fri, 20 Oct: Bhaiduj

Sat, 21 Oct

Sun, 22 Oct

Where to go: Bundi, Rajasthan. The cool weather in Rajasthan during this time along with the slow pace at which the place moves, makes it an ideal combination to go exploring the countless palaces and forts in the region. Bundi is one such place packed with enough rich history to make those late morning explorations something to remember. Similar to Bundi in what it has to offer is Hampi in Karnataka. Once a celebrated capital of Vijayanagar Empire in the 13th century, all that remains now are ruins but don't let that fool you. It's also a perfect getaway from Bengaluru and 24 hours are more than enough to explore.

DECEMBER

Festivals of India

Fri, 1 Dec: Eid-e-Milad

Sat, 2 Dec

Sun, 3 Dec

-

Sat, 23 Dec

Sun, 24 Dec

Mon, 25 Dec: Christmas 

Where to go: Spend this Christmas in Puducherry whose streets belie a French invasion. The French exited but left behind some truly amazing architecture. Much like Goa, it also had its fair share of a Roman Catholic population which means there's plenty of Christmas spirit to catch up on. Alternatively, Mylapore, Chennai, makes for a perfect beach getaway - more so because of the weather that's all too pleasing.