Weekend Getaways

This is the last post of the year, that I have put together. Though we get very excited to plan that one long and one short holiday usually within our calendar year, the spontaneous weekend trips are also as much fun. Budgets are lesser, you need no leaves granted from the boss and yet you come back all rejuvenated with happy memories.

5 weekend getaways I loved going to, from Mumbai. (not in any order of preference).

The link to the stay option directs you to where I stayed and I truly liked all of the mentioned resorts/properties. 

1.) Sula Vineyards

Nashik is a popular destination for wine connoisseurs and amateurs alike. It houses the famous Sula vineyards. The lush green vineyards, the guided tour and some relaxing time while sipping on wine and nibbling on some cheese makes it a worthwhile weekend. 

How to get there:  Nashik is 180 km from Mumbai, reachable by car, bus or train and 210 km from Pune, reachable by car or by bus.

Links: http://www.sulawines.com/ 

Stay: http://sulawines.com/Stay/ 

2) Lonavala/Khandala

A very convenient hilly weekend outing. Extremely green and surronded by enchancting valleys. It is just a 2/2.5 hour drive from Bombay and the most beautiful during monsoons. Lonavala is also famous for its chikki and delicious fudge!

How to get there: Very easily reachable by car or bus and several trains also connect Mumbai to Lonavala.

Stay: Check out this lovely property in Khandala - ideal for a staycation or a day trip. -  http://www.dukesretreat.com/  

3) Murud

This place should surely be on any itinerary of the Konkan Coast. The relaxed pace of life, fresh seafood, the majestic offshore Janjira fort and the blue and serene beach. 

One can also take a boat ride till the fort before the sun sets.

How to get there: Hire a cab or rent a car to drive down to Murud, which takes about 4 hours. Travelling to Murud is little difficult for first time visitors but to start early in the morning is the best time to drive. One gets clear roads and can reach the destination faster.

Stay: http://www.goldenswan.com/beachresort/html/  

4) Igatpuri

Nestled beautifully on the Western Ghats, Igatpuri is a popular spot for seeking tranquility and natural beauty. Again it is prettiest during the monsoons.  Ideal for an overnight get away to inhale some fresh air before getting back to base.

How to get there: 120 kms from Mumbai, it is a 2 hour drive away. It is also well connected by buses to the city (Mumbai).

Stay: http://www.manasresort.in/ 

5) Lavasa

A winding drive past Lonavala leads you to Lavasa, a pretty and planned township, situated between the Western Ghats near Pune.  Lavasa has a variety of restaurants that offer open air dining on a beautiful lakeside promenade. Boating, cycling and skating are some of the activities you can enjoy during your weekend stay. 

How to get there: It takes a little more than three hours of driving, to reach Lavasa through the beautiful Pune-Mumbai express road. The distance between Lavasa and Mumbai is almost 195 km. Roads are very meandering and buses or cars is the best way to reach Lavasa

Stay:http://www.fortunehotels.in/resort/Lavasa-Fortune_Select_Dasve/Reaching_Us.aspx  

So I hope you will consider the above options while you plan your time out from the hustle -bustle of the city life. Good news is that, even 2016 has been kind to us with quite a few long weekends like its forerunner - 2015!

Happy New Year! Wishing everyone a healthy and happy 2016 from the bottom of my heart.

Love

Debarati

Travel Dairies....2015

Travel creates memories..that is the best part of a holiday/work trip for me. It enriches and exposes you to new environments, history, heritage and sceneries.

My husband and I went for a holiday to the United Kingdom and hopped on to two beautiful European cities after that - Amsterdam and Paris, in August earlier this year. The most fascinating part about this trip was the different cultures we could experience.

The magnificent and imperial colleges in The United Kingdom, the vibrancy and colourful culture of Amsterdam and last but not the least the romance you feel in the air when you touch down in Paris. Not to forget the delectable cuisine and the lip-smacking Parisian desserts. 

Here are 3 of my favourite pictures from each of our stop overs.  

The magnificent Radcliffe College in Oxford on a bright sunny English morning

A Postcard from - The Canal Cruise at Amsterdam 

Paris - The Eiffel Tower and us

Without any doubt it was a splendid and enriching experience. We returned, all refreshed. Work got very hectic for both of us and the month of November was extremely hectic for me especially. An integral part of this busy month was a work trip to Dhaka. I had to organize and travel with an Indian media delegation for the launch of a renowned hotel brand - Le Meridien.

While this involved a lot of deliverables from my end but all encompassing it was indeed memorable.  A South Asian neighbouring country - Bangladesh. So similar in terms of impeccable hospitality and warmth yet so different with regard to its history, heritage and local cuisine.

Here are some snapshots of the visit.

The Indian media delegation at an official dinner

The park with statues of all eminent writers who fought to keep Bangla as the official language 

Some fish love: Grilled Salmon Steak in butter and balsamic sauce

A handmade colourful cycle rickhshawa - Dhaka is the cycle rickshaw capital of the world

The eminent Dhaka University -  referred to as 'The Oxford of The East'

I hope you enjoyed reading this post as much as I enjoyed putting it together. When you pen down your thoughts - it is actually like reliving the moments again.

P.S: This trip fell in between the long Diwali weekend break. I had a flight out on an early Saturday morning with a working Friday in between.

However Puru (the husband - Pururaj) and I decided to make most of Wedneday and Thursday. We drove down to this beach called Murud Janjira. It is about a 4.5 hour drive from Bombay. Comparitively untouched, not so commercial and very blue and serene.

We loved our overnight road trip. Wish we could have extended the stay. India is truly incredible. Yes and this was just one miniscule part of our vast country. Hope we the people and Goverment can help in protecting mother nature in our very own mother land.

Glimpses of Murud

Sunset by the Murud Janjira Fort

Me enjoying the blue water and sunny sky

Murud Beach - Blue and Lovely

Love.
Debarati/Mou

Feedback/Comments - Most welcome :)

Flamboyant Jaipur

January, 22nd - 25th, 2015!!! Yes the peak of winter and I had to be in Jaipur on work. I was slightly apprehensive about it (I am Bengali and I feel cold)  but was quite excited too, to visit this pinkly royal city after almost 18 years.

I am going to keep this short and sweet as it was a work trip and this will be a photo blog update! However it was a splendid exprience ranging from royal dinners at the ethinic forts to the local city tour and delectable local cuisine.

Enjoy the pictures :)