Destination dupes for the long Independence Day weekend
According to multiple booking agencies, Goa, Udaipur, Alibaug, Karjat, Igatpuri, Lonavala, Jaipur, Mahabaleshwar, Varanasi, Coorg, Ooty, Leh Ladakh, and Spiti are some of the top picks for a quick, fun escape from their busy lives.
However, are you one of those who couldn't book a break before? Fret not, we spoke to some travel bloggers who suggested alternative places to check out for last-minute plans that are not too heavy on the pocket.
Gokarna, Karnataka
This spot offers the same seaside charm minus the party crowds of Goa. 'It's perfect for slow mornings, exploring secluded beaches, and enjoying seafood,' says Komal Singh. You can also check out monsoon treks and waterfalls at Mirjan Fort or Vibhooti Falls.
Budget: Flights to Bengaluru from tier 1 cities for ₹5,000. Then take a train or bus to Gokarna priced between ₹1,200 and ₹2,000. Stay costs around ₹1,200 to ₹3,500 per night.
Varkala, Kerala
'Further north from Kovalam, this cliffside beach town offers a rare mix of golden sands enveloped by cliffs, and beautiful views of the Arabian Sea,' shares Vaishnavi Patel.
Budget: Take a flight to Thiruvananthapuram from major cities for ₹7,000 to ₹8,000 and then a cab ride to Varkala. Homestays cost around ₹2,000 per night.
Kamshet, Maharashtra
Just a couple of hours from Mumbai and Pune, this is a hidden paradise and a quieter spot than the crowded areas of Igatpuri or Lonavala. 'You can try activities like paragliding and trekking, visit Bedse Caves, explore Pawna Lake, and enjoy the rural setting,' say Priya and Sid.
Budget: Take a flight to Mumbai or Pune from any major city for around ₹5,000 to ₹6,000, and then a bus, train, or shared cab costing between ₹500 and ₹ 1,500. Farmstays or eco-resorts can cost up to ₹1,800 to 4,500 per night.
Jawai, Rajasthan
Instead of the bustling towns of Jaipur or Udaipur, explore this wildlife gem in Rajasthan. Vaishnavi Patel says, 'The landscape is surreal with rocky hills, riverbeds, and you can also spot leopards!' A highlight is the rustic feast under the stars, including Ker Sangri and Laal Maas.
Budget: Flights from major cities to Udaipur, Jodhpur, or Jaipur cost ₹4,000 to ₹5,000. Then take a bus or a cab to Jawai, costing ₹3,000 to ₹5,000. Safari lodges range from ₹2,000 to ₹10,000 per night.
Solan, Himachal Pradesh
Instead of tourist hillside hotspots, Shimla or Chail, Deepanshu Soni suggests Solan, which also boasts of architectural beauties: 'You can visit Jatoli temple, Bhrshingh Mahadev temple, Menri monastery, or Dharon ki Dhar fort.'
Budget: Take a bus or train from Delhi to Kalka, which costs between ₹2,000 and ₹3,000, then take a cab to Solan. Stays are priced around ₹1,500 to ₹3,000 per night for cosy hillside hotels.
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Time of India
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FASTag annual pass launched: How many users signed up the Rs 3,000 pass, which states lead purchases, and how to activate
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'Monkey business': Morning coffee of a couple turns chaotic as monkey barges into Mussoorie hotel room
Monkeys' playful behaviour is a normal sight for people living in the hills, often adding a mix of fun and chaos to daily life. For tourists, however, it can seem strange and even scary. A monkey raided a Mussoorie hotel room, eating ladoos and biscuits while exploring.(@shunalikhullarshroff1/Instagram) For one tourist couple in Mussoorie, this became a very real experience during their morning coffee at a hotel. The chaos was captured in an Instagram reel that has amused viewers across social media. The video was shared by writer and podcaster, Shunali Khullar Shroff, with the caption, 'An adventurous morning involving a fat monkey at the tres' charming and centuries-old Savoy Hotel Mussoorie.' According to the post, Shroff had just started enjoying her morning coffee on the hotel balcony when a monkey suddenly jumped onto the balcony, lightly shoved her, and slipped into the hotel room. Playful monkey causes chaos: With the door bolted from inside, Shroff found herself locked out on the balcony. She then asked her husband to stay in the bathroom while she called the hotel staff for help. In the video, the monkey is seen enjoying some ladoos and exploring the room. 'Once inside, the monkey discovered the minibar and helped itself to some Independence Day ladoos. Realising it was trapped, the monkey started banging on the balcony door,' she adds. A tug of war followed, with Shroff holding the door from outside while the monkey pulled from inside. The hotel staff said they could not help, as the room was bolted from the inside. Eventually, Shroff had to let the monkey out, after quietly chanting the Hanuman Chalisa under her breath. Before leaving, the monkey even carried away some hide-and-seek biscuits and left a banana peel on the bed, causing a mess. Check out the post here: Here's how people reacted to this post: The post quickly grabbed attention on Instagram, with many finding the video funny and entertaining. People shared their own stories of encounters with monkeys, while others commented on the monkeys' bold and playful behaviour. One of the users, Upasana Mahtani Luthra, commented, 'Very brave !! To be filming throughout.' A second user, Bonita Bulchandani, commented, 'Omg how frightening but cute at the same time!!' A third user, Shivam, commented, 'Monkey business.' Another user, Shivani Mittal, commented, 'I had one such guest monkey with me in the car locked in once on the back seat without me realising.' For tourists, such encounters may seem strange or even alarming, but for locals, these are a common and amusing part of hill-station life.
