Whenever one gets a moment’s respite from the hectic and mechanical routine of life, the human mind wants to get out of its four-walled world and spend some time in the lap of some peaceful, beautiful and refreshing place. Many times it happens that there is no planning in advance, and suddenly on Friday evening it is decided with friends or family to go out somewhere this weekend. As exciting as this sudden trip plan made at the last moment sounds, the bigger challenge lies in deciding where to go in such a short time that fits in the budget and does not have to waste much time in travelling. In a country as diverse as India, there are countless beautiful and magical places hidden around every city, which can turn even a sudden trip plan into a memorable and wonderful experience. Whether you want to touch the clouds amid the cool breeze of the mountains, read a book of your choice while sitting on the banks of a tranquil lake, or want to read the pages of history amidst the old walls of a historical fort, every city has a perfect weekend getaway that can take away all your tiredness in a jiffy. In this fast-paced world, when the pace of life becomes very fast, such short and sudden breaks prove to be the best way to regain mental peace and energy. Without any elaborate preparation, just pack a small bag, pick up the keys of your car or book a train ticket and set out towards those beautiful valleys of unknown paths, where nature is waiting for you with open arms. Let us know about some such selected and best places which prove to be perfect for sudden weekend plans and provide you complete relief from boring life.
Hill station to spend relaxing moments in the lap of mountains
If there is any hilly area or hill station near your city and suddenly you have planned to visit on the weekend, then moving towards the mountains without thinking can prove to be the best decision. For people living in North India, many beautiful places in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand adjacent to Delhi like Kasauli, Lansdowne, and Mukteshwar are great options where you can reach within a few hours’ drive. The biggest feature of these places is that there is not much crowd here and you can experience complete peace amidst nature. The rays of the sun filtering through the tall deodar and pine trees, the light mist covering the mountains in the morning and the sight of snow-capped peaks on the distant horizon are enough to refresh the heart and mind of any person. People living near Bengaluru or Chennai in South India can head to Nandi Hills, Coorg or Ooty, where coffee plantations and greenery are a sight to behold. Lonavala, Khandala and Mahabaleshwar near Mumbai and Pune in Western India have always been the first choice of tourists for weekend getaways. You do not need a big travel agent to visit these hilly places, rather you can reach here by enjoying a road trip on your bike or car. The winding turns of the road, the small waterfalls falling from the mountains and the local café’s style of serving Maggi with hot tea increases the thrill of this impromptu trip manifold. When you return after spending some time in these cool winds of the mountains, a new energy and positivity is infused within you which motivates you to work throughout the week.
Cities with historical and cultural heritage that take you through the pages of history
Apart from the lap of nature, if you are interested in knowing history, architecture and ancient culture, then visiting any historical city of the country as part of an impromptu weekend plan can be a very wonderful and informative experience. Cities like Jaipur, Udaipur, and Bharatpur in Rajasthan or Khajuraho, Orchha and Mandu in Madhya Pradesh are places that contain centuries of history within themselves. People living around Delhi can go towards Agra, Jaipur or Neemrana Fort, which hardly takes three to four hours to reach. Similarly, the caves of Mysore and Hampi in South India or Ellora and Ajanta caves of Aurangabad in the west are no less than heaven for history lovers. When you touch the huge walls of these old and grand buildings, forts and palaces, you start feeling the great culture of the past and the lifestyle of the kings and emperors. The best thing about such trips is that you get local guides who tell you about interesting stories and legends related to these places, which makes your journey even more interesting. Visiting the local markets of these historic cities, shopping for traditional handicrafts, clothes and antiques and tasting the famous local cuisine are the biggest attractions of this trip. Such impromptu plans give you a chance to see with your own eyes what you read in books, which not only increases your knowledge but also makes you feel proud of your rich cultural heritage. This tour of historical heritage proves to be exciting and educational for children and adults alike, and the weekend flies by in no time.
Jungle Safari and Camping for Adventure and Wildlife Lovers
If you and your friends prefer to do something exciting and adventurous instead of spending a quiet holiday, then adding a trip to a national park or wildlife sanctuary to your impromptu weekend plan would be the most exciting option. Famous sanctuaries like Corbett National Park, Ranthambore, Sariska, Kanha or Bandipur are spread across different parts of the country, where you can find jungle safari bookings even at very short notice. Sitting in an open jeep early in the morning and passing through dense forests, listening to the sounds of birds chirping on the branches of trees and suddenly getting a glimpse of a tiger or leopard is enough to give anyone goosebumps. Additionally, those who are fond of trekking, river rafting or camping can head to Rishikesh, Manali or the hills of the Western Ghats. Spending the night in a tent under the open sky, sitting around a bonfire, playing guitar and gazing at the starry sky is an experience that takes you closest to nature, far away from the glitter and concrete jungles of the city. These types of adventure trips eliminate the fear within you and make you physically and mentally stronger. In these impromptu plans, when you trek on forest paths with friends or family or enjoy rafting in the cool waters of the river, those moments spent with each other get recorded in your memories forever. This mixture of wildlife and adventure gives such a strong jolt to your dull life that all your laziness and fatigue disappears in a moment.
Happy moments spent amidst the calm waves at the seashore
If you want to spend some relaxing moments of your day on the beat of sea waves, away from the noise of mountains and forests, then the beach destinations located in the long coastal areas of India are the most suitable places for impromptu weekend plans. Places like Goa, Gokarna and Alibaug on the west coast and Mahabalipuram, Puri or Visakhapatnam on the east coast are such places which can be easily reached from any corner of the country in a short time by flight or train. Sitting on the golden sand on the seashore and watching the sunset is considered one of the most beautiful sights in the world. The cool breeze of the sea and the salty scent refreshes both your mind and body. If you like water sports then you can enjoy exciting games like scuba diving, parasailing, jet skiing and banana ride which take away all your mental worries. Sitting in the small shacks and restaurants along the beach, enjoying fresh seafood and dancing to the tunes of music is the best way to beat the weekend fatigue. There is no sense of time in these places, because from the pleasant sunshine of the morning to the silence of the night, every form of the sea tells a different story in itself. If you reach the seashore in an impromptu trip, you get to see such a peaceful and vast form of nature which teaches you to forget your everyday worries and live in the present. Even a short weekend spent with these ocean waves can provide you with the energy and mental peace to work for months.
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