New Delhi: The term ‘summer vacation or holiday’ conjures images of sunny afternoons around the mountains, near the small banks, having refreshing drinks, and leisurely drives. While plenty of you have your go-to spots for the summer every year, some trips are the stuff of legend and meant for creating memories with friends or family. There’s river rafting in Rishikesh, having momos or soupy noodles in Himachal Pradesh, or Dal Bhatti Churma in Rajasthan to make the most of the summer vacations.
Our classic list of destinations promises to ignite inspiration in you to pack your bags, force you to book tickets, and allow you to gather all telling stories of your adventure to tell others from your trip for decades to come.
So, no matter how many times you’ve already spent days here, there is always a new corner left to discover. After all, travel allows you to discover new places, get new experiences, and build new connections every time you visit a new destination.
Here, we detail below some of the best places to experience luxury, and perfect for seasonal escapes.
1. Parwanoo
Who doesn’t wish to spend summers in Himachal Pradesh around mountains and rivers to escape from the heat? Nestled in the Shivalik Range of the Himalayas, Parwanoo offers breathtaking views of mountain passes and valleys, with lush greenery and pleasant weather to match. Plus, it's only 35km away from Chandigarh and 5 hrs from Delhi, making it an easy escape from city life.
You can stay at beautiful resorts such as Moksha Himalaya Spa Resort, a retreat accessible by a high-end cable car, or Gandola and a perfect place to balance your body’s energies. Also located amidst the lush greenery of the forests and surrounded by the majestic Kasauli Hills, The Fern Surya offer a scenic view or Jungle lodge resort, offers the majestic views of the mountains but also provides you with the glorious views of the list forests at the same time.
For adventure seekers, Parwanoo offers a range of activities, from trekking to exploring the historic Gurkha Fort, which provides a bird's eye view of the surrounding valley.
2. Lonavala
Looking for a drivable getaway from Mumbai or Pune? Look no further than Lonavala in Maharashtra. Besides taking in the natural beauty, visitors can explore Rajmachi Point, Lonavala Lake, Duke's Nose, Karla Caves, and Bhaja Caves. To feel refreshed and relaxed as well as rejuvenate yourself at the same time, Fazlani Nature's Nest, a wellness retreat near Lonavala, offers breathtaking views of the Sahyadri mountains and is a perfect place to refresh, rejuvenate, and rebalance the mind, body, and soul with yoga, meditation, Ayurvedic treatments, and even equine therapy, or Green Velvet Resort, offers you an exceptional villa-style accommodation experience with a majestic green mountain view or Avion Holiday Resort, close to market making it easily accessible to the city and other sightseeing destinations.
Not only this, Lonavala is a perfect place for you if you might crave adrenaline-inducing activities. From easy to moderate and difficult treks (Lohagad Fort trek is one of them) to water rappelling, kayaking, and camping, everything is possible here and is top-notch exciting.
3. Kumarakom
The serene backwaters of Kumarakom in Kerala offer a mesmerizing experience for travellers and a home to some incredible places, where you can lose yourself in the beauty of nature, and revitalize mind, body, and soul. You can explore the lush landscapes, lagoons, and lakes on a private houseboat with a full staff or by walking through the nature trail of Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary.
The resorts in Kumarakom offer an atmosphere of luxury, beauty, calmness, and peace. The rich repository of flora and fauna, along with the colourful local culture, and the mouth-watering local delicacies make Kumarakom a perfect destination for families to spend time together and ensure a memorable vacation for you and your loved one.
For an authentic backwater experience, Coconut Lagoon in Kumarakom, accessible by a boat ride through Vembanad Lake, this resort offers breathtaking views of the backwaters from your 150-year-old traditional 'tharavad' home. You can also experience the serene backwaters, and fresh sea breeze at Zuri Kumarakom Resort, amidst verdant landscapes on the shore of the Vembanad Lake. This resort offers varied experiences including the colourful culture of the region, try some mouth-watering native cuisines, or experience the richness of the area’s flora and fauna and a range of treatments that are perfect to get rid of all the vestiges of a long day of sightseeing.
4. Jawai
Jawai, also known as the Leopard Expanse of India, is a stunning destination located in the Aravalli Mountains of Rajasthan. Its unique rock formations have helped preserve a diverse array of flora and fauna, making it a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and bird watchers. A trip to Jawai can be an exciting one if you would like to experience the wildlife. It is very common to see leopards all around the villages as there is no covered national park area for them. So far, there have also been attacks here in Jawai which leads to a peaceful co-existence.
Surrounded by unique granite hills, Jawai offers plenty of natural caves for leopards to take refuge in. Not only this, this makes a great habitat for these leopards and since leopards are the apex predators here, this also ensures their population grows. To enjoy a luxurious stay in the heart of this wilderness, you can book your stay at WH Cheetahgarh Resort & Spa. The resort offers exclusive and bespoke hospitality with only 20 lavish rooms, chalets, and tents. You can also try the Thour Nature Resorts offers deluxe tents with breathtaking views of the surroundings and provide a nature-centric experience. It also provides an opportunity to observe a diverse range of wildlife species. Additionally, you can also try the Amrita Jawai Sagar Resort where you can relax and unwind while enjoying the refreshing air in complete composure.