Cool Summer Destinations

When it’s about sharing giggles, love and having fun with your family, when it’s about giving a treat and spending quality time with your family and all these at the same time, what can be better than experiencing the essence of a well-planned vacation with them! And when it’s about vacation in India, you can only end up with plethora of options, and will be spoilt for choice. Perhaps India is one such country where you have all kinds of vacation spots: right from Himalayas in North to valleys in East, from coastal ventures with coconut woods and faraway boat rides in the backwaters of the Southern India to the effervescent colours and history of the deserts of Western India.

However, planning a family holiday is not an easy job, as while doing so one has to think about many aspects like budget, logistics, age-group of family members, and so on. So let’s talk about some best or popular Indian holiday spots keeping these facts in mind.

North
North India offers some of the most popular destinations for family vacations. Uttaranchal and Jammu & Kashmir have been among the popular tourist locales in India, specially during summers. Uttaranchal is one of the Indian states which offer something for everyone. In other words this state provides you with adventure, religion, nature and culture meeting to everyone’s need and interest. Valley of Flowers, Rudranath, Chopta Tungnath, skiing in Auli, Hari ki Dun, Pindari glaciers, Gangotri Tapovan, Milam glacier, rafting in Rishikesh and Roopkund are just some popular tourist locales and activities in Uttaranchal.
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Jammu & Kashmir, the northern most state of India, is another favourite tourists’ choice. Kashmir is known for the serene and scenic beauty and breathtaking views. No wonder, Kashmir is called the “Paradise on Earth”. Dal Lake, Chashmashai, Mughal Gardens in Srinagar are some of the places you can visit here. Also, Pahalgam is known for river rafting, not to forget the “shikara” ride, a must for people visiting Kashmir. Also this is one place where you have the exciting option of staying in houseboats. These houseboats are well maintained and give you a very homely feeling while you are holidaying. For those who also wish to have the spiri-tual experience during their tour can visit Shankaracharya temple and Hazratbal in Srinagar. Also, you can stopover at Katra for Mata Darshan from Jammu to Delhi by train.

Rajasthan stands out in presenting myriad hues amid its sand dunes. Despite the hot and dry weather, Rajasthan attracts tourists in droves every year. The flavour of inimitable cuisine in an ostentatious ambience of this culture rich state is worth a life-time experience. The magnificent forts and palaces of the bygone era, the never ending footprints on the sandy ridges, the colourful fabrics and handicrafts of the natives add to the exquisiteness of this state. Some of the popular places to visit in Rajasthan are Bikaner, Jaipur, Jaisalmer and Mount Abu. While in Rajasthan you can also visit some of its wild life sanctuaries like Ranthambhore National Park, Sariska Tiger Reserve, Darrah Sanctuary, and many more. Also, travel on Rajasthan’s Palace-on-Wheels is an unparallel experience and one of the best ways to explore Rajasthan’s stately splendour!
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East
Located on the eastern coast of India, Orissa is one of the main attractions in east India. Bhubaneswar, state’s capital city is a home of magnificent temples and holy places. Konark, located few kilometres away from the capital, is well-known for its majestic Sun temple. Konark is also known for its architectural wonders and Konark beach. Jagannath Temple in Puri and Mukudeshwara temple are among the most popular attractions in Orissa. Puri is also known for Martya Vaikuntha, Sri Purusottama Dham, Chilka Lake, beaches and waterfall which add to its pristine beauty. West Bengal, situated on the coastline of Bay of Bengal, offers you with travel locales from resorts at Digah, Shankarpur, and Sagardwip to the hills of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Mirik and Dooars Valley. The state capital Kolkata, on the one hand, has a tradition of rich culture, delectable cuisines and his-torical monuments like Victoria Memorial, Howrah Bridge, etc., on the other hand, it also adds to the religious flavour being home to places like Kalighat and Dhakhineswara temples. Other ‘must see’ locales in West Bengal include Krishna nagar and Mayapur in Nadia district, Behrampur and Murshidabad in Murshidabad district, Gaur and Pandua in Malda district and Ayodhya hills in Purulia.

West
 Like any other part of India, western India is rich in cultural heritage, and it comprises of some excellent tourist sites including magnificent monuments, which are a picture of the glorious architectural heritage of ancient India. To start with, Goa presents an elating blend of an everlasting expanse of extravagant beaches, golden sands, affluent cultural legacy, wide-ranging flora and fauna, beautiful churches and temples. When in Goa you need not wish for anything but more days to spend there. Fun, adventure, sun-shine, spirituality or relaxation, no matter what your need is, Goa meets them. Maharashtra, being offers many beautiful hill stations like Matheran, Mahabaleshwar, Panchgani, Malshej Ghat, Chikhaldhara, Panhala, etc. Those who have inclination for history, archeology and ancient culture will find it great to visit the different Buddhist and Hindu monasteries, caves and temples. Ajanta and Ellora caves in Aurangabad are masterpieces in Hindu, Jain and Buddhist architechture. Elephanta, Kanheri, Karla, Bhaja, Pandavleni and Pitalkhora caves are also worth visiting. The coastal state of Gujarat, with a 1290-km long coastline, is known for its beautiful temples, sunny beaches, Rann of Kutch, national parks and sanctuaries. The Gir lions can be found here in the Gir forest of Gujarat.
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South
When vacation is not just about travelling but also relaxing and spending quality time with family, southern India excels in offering not one or two but countless options. Almost every state in southern India defines a complete holiday. And when it’s about choosing among the most popular locales, undoubtedly Kerala, the “God’s own country”, tops the chart. Right from backwater boat rides to hill stations, beaches to forts and monuments, wildlife sanctuaries and pilgrim centers, one can enjoy everything in Kerala. Kerala is well known for some of the finest beaches of India, including Kovalam, Bekal, Cherai, Payyambalam, etc. Kumarakom, Alappuza-Kochi, Kuttanad are just some of the locales where you can enjoy backwater boat rides, an experience unique to Kerala. It also has mist-clad hill stations like Munnar, Neelimala, etc.

Tamil Nadu, the cradle of Dravidian culture, is rich culture, history and tradition. The state is known for its magnificent temples such as the Meenakshi temple in Madurai and Brihadesshwar temple in Thanjavur. The state is also known for its blue beaches such as Marina and Elliot’s beach in Chennai. Mahabalipuram and Kovalam beaches, 58-kms and 40 kms from Chennai are also famous. Kanyakumari beach lies at the southern most tip of India, where the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal meet. Ooty, Kodaikanal, Annamalai, Yercaud and Yelagiri are some of the most popular hill stations dotting Tamil Nadu.

Karnataka is known for its heritage, beaches and wildlife. The magnificent world heritage sites at Hampi, the temples at Belur and Halebidu and the cave temples of Badami and Aihole testify the state’s historical and cultural affluence. Watch the flora, fauna and wildlife in Bandipur National Park, Rajiv Gandhi National Park, and many other national parks and forests dotting the state.

However, the best planned holiday is the one which can be enjoyed by one and all, considering the different age group and interests of individuals in a family. There are extensive vacation spots for you, all you need to do is zero in on a couple of them. The summer is here and so are the offers from travel clubs and agencies. Find out the one that suits you, your family and your budget the best and then grab it now and pack your bags.