It is rightly said that, "Weekends don't count unless you don't wander off to some new places, taste some new flavours or experience something new."
Most of the times Sundays and National Holidays are overlapped ruining all our long weekend plans. But not to fret my friends, 2018 has decided to be kind enough to all of you by letting you enjoy 10 long weekends. Yes, you got it right…… 10 LONG WEEKENDS!
We here present to you the complete guide to all the perfect places one can visit and explore in India during these long weekends.
Republic Day Weekend in January 2018 (26th-28th)
The perfect getaway for the upcoming long weekend in January is the amazing hill station of Uttarakhand, Auli. This amazing snow-covered hill station is situated in the lap of the Himalayan Mountains surrounded by coniferous and oak forests. This place is renowned for being the ‘best skiing destination in India’. The panoramic view of the Himalayan ranges will leave you mesmerized. Hence, this makes Auli the perfect getaway destination for the month of January.
Shivratri Weekend in February 2018 (10th-13th)
Albeit, no one needs a reason to visit the tropical paradise, Goa but if you have to visit it there is no better month than February.
The month of February is said to be the best time to holiday in Goa as it offers the famous ‘Goa Carnival’. The carnival was started back in the 18th century by the Portuguese and is said to be one of the unique festivals of Goa. The only aim of the carnival is feasting, merrymaking and drinking off-course which makes it the best destination to visit in February.
Holi Weekend of March 2018 (2nd-3rd)
Mathura makes a perfect getaway for your long weekend in March. The month witnesses the famous festival of colors i.e. ‘Holi’ and what better place than the sacred city of Mathura. Here, the festival of Holi is a 3-4 days affair with each day marking a unique style of celebrating and playing Holi. Day 1 is dedicated to the famous ‘Lathmaar’ Holi of Barsana and Nandgaon. Day 2 is dedicated to Vrindavan's ‘Phoolon Wali Holi’. If you want to play and celebrate the real Holi like never before, Mathura is the place for you.
Or if you don’t like to celebrate the festival of Holi we have got another option for you i.e. the ‘Elephant Festival’. The beautiful city of Rajasthan, Jaipur brings to you their famous ‘Elephant Festival’. The festival includes elephant polo matches, elephant races, beauty pageants etc. So, if you’re not interested in celebrating Holi, this festival is the best option for you.
Mahavir Jayanti Weekend of March 2018 (29th March – 01st April)
The second long weekend of March offers you to travel to beaches, greens and breathtaking views. The beautiful city of Cochin, Kerala is the perfect getaway destination in the month of March. The serene nature and calmness of the place are just perfect for relaxing and for spending some quality time with your loved ones.
Buddha Purnima Weekend of April 2018 (28th-30th)
The mesmerizing and natural beauty of Shimla is something that can’t be missed. April is said to be one of the perfect months to visit Shimla as it’s neither cold nor hot, it’s just the perfect weather. It’s also a perfect short trip for people who stay in Delhi, Chandigarh, and Punjab.
Idul’ Fitr Weekend of June 2018 (15th-17th)
There’s no perfect destination than Munnar in the month of June. June is the monsoon season in Munnar and hence makes it just the right place and time for attention-grabbing high tide backwaters. It is also said that this is the perfect place for all nature lovers. The place offers you green forests, lip-smacking seafood, mesmerizing backwaters and many more exciting attractions.
Raksha Bandhan Weekend of August 2018 (22nd – 26th)
The 5-day long weekend in the month of August gives you the opportunity to travel to the barren yet beautiful region of Ladakh. This getaway is the perfect holiday destination for the entire adventure enthusiast. Located in the lap of the Himalayas, this region has some amazing and awe-inspiring places to visit.
Janmashtami Weekend of September 2018 (1st-3rd)
Kalimpong, West Bengal is one of the best places to visit during the month of September. One can enjoy different fun adventurous activities like paragliding, river rafting, trekking, bird watching etc.
Ganesh Chaturthi Weekend of September 2018(13th-16th)
A small town of Arunachal Pradesh, Ziro holds immense splendor to admire. The pleasant weather and the Ziro festival makes it the best festival to attend. Blessed with vegetation and rivulets, the town of Ziro is the best peaceful place to spend some quality time with your friends and family.
Gandhi Jayanti Weekend of October 2018 (29th Sep-2nd Oct)
The beautiful hill station of Gangtok, Sikkim is a place full of natural beauty. Gangtok has many famous attractions to offer like Tsomogo Lake, Nathula Pass, Peeling, Yumthang Valley and many more.
The plus point about Gangtok is that the famous and renowned state for tea and coffee harvesting, Darjeeling is close by which makes the trip even more exciting and a must visit in the last week of September and starting of October.
Hence, these are the places one can visit during the long weekends of 2018.