Top Weekend Getaways from Delhi

Imagine this: Sprawled on your sofa with a book, sipping coffee in your living room. Sounds relaxing? Now imagine this: Sprawled on a lounger with a book on a balcony overlooking the mighty Himalayas or maybe the Taj Mahal? Sound utopic? Well, utopic for sure but very much achievable. Summers are here and while we may not be in school anymore waiting for the blissful two months long vacation to start, we can always spare ourselves a weekend for sheer joy of travelling. And for families with kids free during their summer vacation have weekends galore to travel and spend quality time with your folks. Why spend the weekend cocooned in the house, cribbing for another gruelling week to start when there’s so much to explore around? As much as Delhi is busy and fast, there are some surprising Long Weekend Getaways around Delhi to soothe your ruffled senses. Pick your favourite out of these and va va vroom to a rejuvenating break this summer!

Shimla

Shimla being the all-time favourite is a great destination to set out for a weekend sojourn. With an average of 6 to 8 hours of drive, this Himachal town is easily accessible via bus, train or car and offers the luxury of city life minus the hullabaloo and honking. Shimla is one of the few cities in India that still has an old-world charm to it. From the plush coffee shop at Cobermere to the most popular Sitaram’s cholle-bhature, from the nature walk amidst the mountains or a stroll at the Mall Road, Shimla’s beauty and variety never fails to delight its visitors.

Chail

Chail is an upcoming weekend getaway that’s attracting a lot of tourist’s attention especially those who plan to spend a serene sojourn with mesmerising vistas all around and not a tinge of the city’s hustle- bustle. Moving away from the generic hill stations around Delhi, Chail’s beauty is untainted and unexplored. Vast landscapes and scenic panoramas are its USPs along with the charm of a small town lifestyle that boasts of comfort amidst the lap of nature. The Cricket Ground at Chail is the world's highest cricket and polo ground. Chail Wildlife Sacntuary, Kali ka Tibba and Sidh Baba ka Mandir are other popular tourist attractions. Kufri is just a short drive from Chail that offers exciting trek and horse rides that leads to the divine Mahasu peak.

Jaipur

While the hills have their own charm and rejuvenating effects, the plains are grounded in culture and heritage. Jaipur sure can get scorching during summer, but a luxurious stay in one of the many plush hotels in Jaipur is a great way to enjoy a relaxing weekend. Considering most tourists don’t flock to Jaipur during summers, you might be able to make great flight plus hotel deals. From the magnificence of the palaces and forts to the grandeur of heritage hotels, Jaipur is one of the sought after destinations for enthusiasts who like to travel back in time and explore the glory of the past. Explore the colour, vibrancy and cultural splendour of the city of kings and princes. Walk past the romantic alleys of Amber Fort, enjoy a hide and seek escapade at Jantar Mantar, unravel the hidden passages of the City Palace and savour the delectable Rajasthani thali. If you believe in “live-life-king-size”, then Jaipur is the place to be!

Agra

Talk about a weekend getaway from Delhi and probably Agra is what comes to our minds instantly. Even after writing a blog exclusively on Agra, I can’t resist to mention this city again. While Taj Mahal is the most striking feature of this city, Agra is blessed with umpteen moseulems, mosques, forts and palaces. Fatehpur Sikri, Firozabad, Maryam Tomb, Sikandra Fort, Itmad-ud-Daula, Jahangir’s Palace, Dayal Bagh, Chini-ka-Rauza, Akbar's Mausoleum and the list goes on. Woah! No wonder Agra is not just a sought after destination in India, but all over the world.

Corbett

If you think the colours of Jaipur and the sweets of Agra is all what you get in the plains, turn your staring wheels to north and explore the eclectic range of flora and fauna that Jim Corbett National Park has to offer. Here, not only will you be able to catch a glimpse of the Bengal Tiger but just living in a shack amidst the wilderness has a thrill of its own! Verdant grass lands, riverine belts, tranquil lake, diverse wildlife with surrounding hills in the backdrop, together forms a perfect canvas image. Enjoy an idyllic rendezvous with nature at Jim Corbett National Park and explore the wild in you. Open from mid-November to mid-June, Corbett is great place to go during winters or summers and witness the wildlife through an elephant or jeep safari. A great hangout for kids, Corbett has exciting summer camp arrangements during summer vacations.

 

So, where do I see you this weekend? Shopping at Mall Road in Shimla, gorging the delectable daal-baati in Jaipur or dancing around a bon-fire in Corbett? Happy weekend!

   

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
	Surabhi Shikha: Some people just get wet, others feel the rain… I dance in it in ecstasy and then write about it.