Category — Travel

As the sun hid behind gray clouds and created a lovely shade, as an amazingly refreshing breeze and smell of wet earth enlivened the surroundings, it suddenly made me realize how much I had missed out on! It has been a month since the monsoons set in, but stuck in daily schedules, I had been ignoring this beauty around me. Suddenly this beauty overwhelmed me and I needed to feast my eyes on it, relax and unwind in this amazing weather! Have you guys been feeling the same?

This awesome weather brings back some great memories. My buddies and I would always meet up on weekends at some of the coolest cafes and pubs! We would sit with Foster’s and catch up on stuff… Bet you do the same! But, this time we wanted to plan a cool weekend getaway to experience this lovely weather and check out some cool places!!

I have put together some places you could check out for your weekend getaway!

SHIMOGA (Jog Falls) Karnataka: India’s tallest waterfall is best seen in the monsoon. Fog and rains play with the waterfall view, making it disappear and re-appear every few minutes. The waterfall is reduced to a trickle for most of the year, but if there are some good rains, they return to their glorious form in the monsoons.

LONAVLA: If you want to learn the best way to pamper your eyes and calm your mind, then it has to be Lonavla! With lush green expanses, it’s one of the most exciting and soothing spots for a weekend holiday. It is known for its picnic spots, ideal for friends to chillax. The best part is to watch the sunlight filter through the sun-window and cast patterned shadows on passersby.

KHANDALA: Best known for its frothy, milky, silver waterfalls set amidst the lush green mountains, it is a perfect place to relax and unwind. Khandala has retained the charm of a small-town friendliness which is a good break from the hustle-bustle of Mumbai.

NANDI: Nandi hills is a short 50km drive away from Bangalore. Witness the magnificently foggy mornings in winters and the rainy season. This place is indeed foggy, cool and beautiful. Though I didn’t have the fortune of seeing those foggy hills, I did get to see billowous clouds above and below me, magically segregated by a line of blue sky!

Here are some other places you can check out. Nisargadhama, Mahabalipuram, Adishakti, Velaghar, Amboli, Mandu, Meenal Falls, Chambal… let’s make most of this amazing weather and experience the Art of Chilling!!

“It’s here! It’s finally here!” I said to myself looking at the calendar. *Applause*

Waiting for this day since last Monday. Guys this week has been so long, I tell ya. Don’t tell me you haven’t been doing the same! *Smiles*

So what are we planning for this absofreakinlutely “Long Weekend”

If you haven’t planned yet then sit back, relax cos Art of Chilling brings 3 ultimate destinations to chill out for the Long ‘Holi Weekend!’

Goa: That’s like the first place to break free! Secluded from the buzz, unlike North Goa, you would want to head towards Palolem or Agonda, beaches in South Goa. It’s a gateway to paradise. Sitting across the beach under the ‘Banyan Tree,’ a nice hotel on a beach. Listening to lounge music at the Sunset Point, a cocktail hut at the west end of the beach, you can relax with great ease. If you are tired rejeuvenate yourself with spas on the beach. Sea food barbeques at night will be the best way to wrap up your evening.  http://bit.ly/Palolem_Goa

Pondicherry: If you are down south,  then this is the best place for you to chill out! The amazingly clean beaches and the backwaters. Pondicherry seems like the perfect location for you to wind down for three days.  Heal the body, mind and your soul with Ayurvedic Spas on beaches across the Coramandel coast just 15 Kms from the heart of Pondicherry a very good resort to head to is ‘Dune’ an eco village and Spa. You can also indulge yourself with seafood barbeques. Swim in the backwaters or inside the lush pool of the resort. Take your pick. A calm and amazingly blissful experience! http://bit.ly/Pondicherry

Mussorie: Lush greenery, fresh mountain air, this place is a destination up north to get in touch with your inner voice. Chill out with the special pampering you’ll get at ‘Spa Resorts’ here. Along the heights of ‘Queen of Hills’ you’ll get ultimate peace and an amazing place to get your mind off everything that is piled up. Relax with the good music and fresh air in the hills of this place. http://bit.ly/Mussorie

So enough said… I’m gonna do my packing and I’m off to Goa… with my friends. What about you? What’s your pick?