India may not be your quintessential holiday idea destination. It may not be Paris, Bali, The Bahamas, Hawaii or Africa; but you best believe it when you hear people talk about the beautiful places that calls India its home. In fact, these places are so underrated and slept on by people while planning their next holiday destination with friends and family. These places comprise of beautiful sunny beaches to get away for the winter and beautiful pleasant hill station to take refuge in during the hot seasons. So sit back and relax and have a look at this comprehensive list of holiday destinations in India that will surely take a place in your memories and the mere mention of the name will leave you with a feeling of nostalgia.
Ladakh
This beautiful, snow covered heaven on earth is tucked away in the eastern of Kashmir. Once you enter Ladakh, you will be enticed by the beautiful landscape that comprises of mountains, Buddhist monasteries, farm lands and the most beautiful of all, the people. Home to one of the most hospitable people who greets you with the warmest of smiles and who are always ready to share a meal with you. You can easily get here via flight and the nearest airport is located in Leh; the Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport.
Varanasi.
This is the pilgrimage city of India. This holy city is nestled near the River Ganges and has numerous locations called ‘ghats’ which has stairways that leads to the river where the people bathe before prayers which is a way of cleansing the soul. There are also museums that houses paintings, artifacts, manuscripts on palm leaves etc. The airport that connects Varanasi is Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport that is located 23kms away in the northwest region of Babatpur.
Kochi, Kerala
Apart from the fact that Kochi is the financial, industrial and the commercial capital of Kerala, this city is laced with beautiful street art, art galleries, beaches, temples and many heritage sites. It’s a place where vintage and modern clash to produce the quirkiest hang out spots like cafes, pubs and restaurants. The city has many outside influences like Arab, Portuguese, Chinese, British which is evident as you trail along the path of tourist places. The main airport is the Chochin International Airport which is located in Nedumbassery which is around 25km northeast of the main city.
Sunderbans, West Bengal
It is the home to the royal Bengal Tiger and it also happens to be the most famous wildlife destinations in India. There are a number of activities you can get involved with like bird watching, night safari, touring the villages etc. This place is also acknowledged as a world heritage site by the UNESCO. The nearest airport that will lead you to Sunderbans is Netaji Subhas Chandra Airport in Kolkata and from here you can hire a cab and head on to one of the most exciting holiday destinations in India.
Amritsar
Home to the majestic and beautiful Golden Temple, Amritsar is the place to be if you want a religious and distinctive travel experience. The temple once lit up at night is destined to fill you with a sense of awe and ignites a feeling of serenity. Getting here is a piece of cake as it has its own airport; Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport which is around 11km away from the main city.
New Delhi
The city of culture, art, nightlife and history, Delhi is a destination you must not miss out at all. It has everything a traveler and tourist want. The streets are filled with food stands, cafes, shopping malls and restaurants that will cater to your taste buds with cuisines that will tingle your senses. You can hop into a rickshaw and ride down the streets of Chandni Chowk and Chawri Bazaar which is famous for vintage shops and incredible street food. Or you can take the metro and head towards Connaught Place the business and financial hub of the city. Once in the city you are captivated with this blend of history and modern vibe that is sure to take a spot in your many list of unforgettable memories. The city’s airport is Indira Gandhi International Airport which is located about 15kms away from the city center.
Mumbai
This metropolis is the entertainment hub in India and where hopeful people go to chase their dreams which is why it is popularly known as the City of dreams in India. The city’s main attraction is the Gateway of India and the Marine Drive; a long concrete road that is located at the foothills of the Malabar range, a very popular attraction for tourists and also the locals. Apart from that there are numerous things you can do like experiencing nightlife, visiting bazaars, temples and premier restaurants. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj international Airport is the city’s main airport and is around 9kms away from the city center.
Shillong
Known as the Scotland of the east, Shillong is the capital of Meghalaya. This gem is tucked away in the north eastern region of India and has a unique mixture of culture and heritage. If visited at the peak festival season you will get to experience the famous Cherry Blossom Festival which is very looked forward to by the locals and also by regular visitors.
Manali
This is the most sought after destination by people looking to get away from the summer heat of India. It is located in the picturesque Beas River valley. This gem is covered with beautiful snow covered mountains that provides a lot of fun activities for its visitors and locals. This is the perfect place for nature lovers and adrenaline seekers and also for people looking forward to waking up to magnificent snow topped Mountain View.
Srinagar
This city is laced with a rich grandeur of nature, food and weather appealing to our sense of sight, taste and adventure. A very beloved holiday destination for Indians, this place has earned the title The Jewel of Kashmir. It has many attractions like the Dal Lake, Tulip Garden, Pari Mahal and Chashme Shahi. Once in the city make sure to try the famous Kashmiri Pulav which is a one pot dish made with fragrant basmati rice, spices, dey fruits, nuts, saffron and other fresh herbs.
