Mumbai,
06
February
2019
|
14:06
Europe/Amsterdam

73% Indian Travellers plan to take more weekend trips

Booking.com reveals the 2019 Long Weekend Guide for travellers from Delhi

Summary

Booking.com, the global leader in connecting travelers with incredible places to stay, reveals the key motivations for Indian travellers to travel in 2019. The research shows that 84% of the Indian travellers wish to take time off to mentally unwind. Likewise, a majority of Indian travellers (88%) want to have more time to relax. Holding true to tradition, 84% of Indian travelers travel to be together as a family while 83% seek to get a change from their hectic work lives.

With the intense work culture and fast-paced lifestyles in Delhi, a long weekend is the perfect way to destress and relax. According to a recent survey by Booking.com, almost three quarters of Indian travellers plan to take more weekend trips in 2019 (73%). It’s a year that’s predicted to be all about made-to-measure, bite sized travel with more curated travel itineraries squeezed into shorter time frames. Less is most definitely more as travelers are offered a more bespoke experience.

Here’s a list of some of the best weekend getaways curated by Booking.com for travellers from Delhi to recuperate and relax as they indulge in unique experiences ranging from cultural indulgence in Jaipur to Skiing in Auli:

Long weekend in January 2019

2019 starts with its long weekends in the third week of the month January 12-13-14 (Saturday, Sunday, Monday) and here is the guide on all the experiences in and around Delhi that one explore.

Where to go?

Jaipur

Start off the first long weekend in one of the best cities to celebrate Makar Sankranti. The Pink City’s sky resembles an artwork of colours as the kites take over. Jaipur has a really interesting architecture, ranging from forts to palaces, each with their own story to tell. Amber Fort (popularly known as the Amer fort) overlooking the Maota Lake, is one of the must visit sites in the city. Jaipur is also home to Jantar Mantar, an astronomy tower, declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, with the world’s largest sundial. Explore the Tripolia, Bapu and Johri Bazaar to collect your souvenirs and don’t forget to try out the local delicacies such as Ghewar and Dal Baati Churma while you are at it.

  •  Distance from Delhi: 272 kms
  •  Activities to do: Fort visits, kite flying, sightseeing, shopping
  •  Where to stay: Swiss Tents stay at Heiwa Heaven Resort is a luxurious accommodation with scenic exteriors. You can either choose to stay indoor in their chalet or outdoor tents. The accommodation is 8 kms away from Jalmahal and 10 kms from Amber Fort.

Long weekends in March 2019

March has pretty good news for travellers with March 2-4 (Saturday, Sunday, Monday) and March 21-24 (Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday) being long weekends for the month (While March 22nd is a working day, you can play your cards right and sneak in a leave request at the earliest)

Where to go?

Vrindavan

Vrindavan is a holy town in northern India, situated on the banks of river Yamuna. The town is known to be home to lord Krishna in his childhood. It is celebrated for its peaceful charm and the culturally enriching experience that it provides to its visitors. A pilgrimage site for many, the town offers numerous beautiful Radha Krishna temples, including Prem madir, Radha Raman temple, Shahji temple and Gokulnada. Banke Bihari mandir and ISKCON are the most famous temples in the land.

  •  Distance from Delhi: 181 kms
  •  Activities to do: Temple visits, pilgrimage
  •  Where to stay: MVT Guesthouse & Restaurant is one of the best rated hotels in Vrindavan. The place offers medieval aesthetics, along with a garden & a terrace, and every room comes with a balcony overlooking the garden. The property is just 2.4kms from the heart of Vrindavan.

Bir Billing

A small town located in the state of Himachal Pradesh, is a popular destination for adventure sport like paragliding. It is considered one of the best spots in the world for the sport. The town also hosts the World Paragliding Championship every year. It has a large settlement of Tibetan communities and hence their culture is highly influenced by the Tibetan culture. Bir is further recognised as a place for meditation as the town is an important centre for spiritual studies. Deer Park and Bir Tea factory are must visit places when in town.

  • Distance from Delhi: 518 kms
  • Activities to do: Paragliding, Sightseeing, Meditation
  • Where to stay: Zostel Bir, is at one of the best rated locations in Bir. The property offers a very upbeat and quirky interiors to its guests. Lot of activities and games can be enjoyed indoors as well as outdoors. The nearest airport is Kangra Airport, 66 kms from the property.

Long weekends in April 2019

Beat the city heat by booking yourself a quick getaway on these long weekends - April 13-14-15-16-17 (Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday) {Put in a planned leave request for 15th and 16th and you will have a very long weekend} and April 19-20-21 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)

Where to go?

Mashobra

Also known as the quieter Shimla, this little hill station is tucked away at 7700 feet. Mashobra is a great destination to have a low-key, relaxing and peaceful weekend. This place is perfect for the nature lovers, with spots like Craignano Nature Park and Reserve Forest Sanctuary, which is Asia’s largest watershed. The Sanctuary is also good for treks and camping, so pack your camping gears along. Some bird species you may encounter include pheasants, chikors and partridges.

  • Distance from Delhi: 353 kms
  • Activities to do: Trekking, Nature trail, Bird watching
  • Where to stay: Wildflower Hall Shimla was once the residence of Lord Kitchener of Khartoum. It was developed by the Himachal Pradesh Government and Oberoi Group after it burned down in 1993. This property has indoor as well as outdoor pools, spas and a fitness centre. You can get to the hotel by road in approximately 1.5 hours from Shimla airport. Pick-up and drops can also be arranged – with an additional fee – from Chandigarh Airport/Railway Station.

Nainital

One of the most beautiful tourist destinations in the country, nestled between the Kumaon Hills. Nainital also called the ‘City of Lakes’ is known for its snow-capped mountains and tranquil lakes. A paradise for nature lovers, the city has something for every tourist ranging from food, adventure to shopping. Its Naini Lake flows through the middle of the city, and is a popular spot for boating. Other lakes you can visit include Sariyatal Lake, Bhimtal Lake, and Khurpatal Lake. The hilltops that offer the best sight of the city include Naina Peak, Tiffin Top, and Snow View Point, all are a very popular tourist spots.

  • Distance from Delhi: 337 kms
  • Activities to do: Sightseeing, Boating, Trekking, Cycling, Hiking
  • Where to stay: Rill And River Camp, offer luxury tent accommodations with a view. One can enjoy campfires and barbecue nights outside the tents. Both bicycle and car rental services are available at the camp, cycling and hiking can be enjoyed in the vicinity.

Long weekends in August 2019

August 10, 11, 12 (Saturday, Sunday, Monday), and August 15, 16, 17, 18 (Thursday, Friday {see what we did there?}, Saturday, Sunday)

The month should definitely have travel on the cards considering the good lineup of long holidays. Here are some popular destinations that you can visit.

Where to go?

Neemrana

Neemrana is a town located in Alwar along the Delhi-Rajasthan highway. Neemrana Fort Palace, constructed in 1464 AD was once home to Rajput Maharaja Prithvi Raj Chauhan III and is now a luxury heritage hotel. You can enjoy adventure activities like zip-lining at the hotel, and visit the Neemrana Baori that reflects the beauty of old architecture. You can club your visit to Neemrana with Sariska National Park. The park is one of the most famous tiger reserves in the country.

  • Distance from Delhi: 127 kms
  • Activities to do: Sightseeing, Zip-lining
  • Where to stay: Neemrana Fort Palace is well-connected to the local bus station, Rewari Railway station, and Indira Gandhi International Airport. Sariska National Park is at a distance of 75 kms from the listing and Vijay Mandir Park at 63 kms from the listing. This unique accommodation has a 24 hr front desk, with a tour desk to help you with travel arrangements.

Agra

The city is home to several historical artefacts, including one of the 7 Wonders of the World – the Taj Mahal. The list of most popular places to visit include - Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, Akbar’s tomb, Jama Masjid, Moti Masjid, Panch Mahal, among many others. A local candy you must try is ‘Agra ka Petha’. Dolphin the Waterworld and Friends Gokulam Fun City Park are the theme parks available for recreation.

  • Distance from Delhi: 231 kms
  • Activities to do: Sightseeing
  • Where to stay: Hotel Atulyaa Taj is at a 500m distance from Taj Mahal and 4kms from Agra Railway station. This listing has an open roof top, with the view of the Taj Mahal. Agra Fort is 2 kms from the hotel and Fatehpur Sikri is 42 kms. The tour desk can help you plan a day trip, book tickets and help with car rentals.

Long weekend in September 2019

August 31; September 1, 2 (Saturday, Sunday, Monday), and September 7, 8, 9, 10 (Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday)

With two long weekends in September, get planning right away! One sneak leave on September 9, and you have enough days for a long leisure break by the beach.

Where to go?

Lansdowne

Named after the Viceroy of India, Lord Lansdowne, the town is situated along the Garwhal Hills, 5670 feet above sea level. It is a quaint location unknown to many tourists surrounded by mountain views. Not heavily commercialised the hill station is home to around 20,000 people only. The architecture in the area is reminiscent of the colonial era. The town is known for being the origin of the Garwhal Rifle, used by soldiers in the Indian Army. Places to visit include St. John’s Church, Bhulla Lake, Darwan Singh Regimental Museum.

  • Distance from Delhi: 283 kms
  • Activities to do: Sightseeing
  • Where to stay: Windsor Cottages offers you a nice, homely environment to stay in. The cottage offers a garden and a terrace to enjoy the magnificent views of the mountains.

Rishikesh

Situated on the foothills of Himalayas, Rishikesh is a perfect balance of inner peace and adventure. A hub to many ancient temples and yoga ashrams, the place offers a soulful spiritual experience and hence is identified as one of the top spiritual destinations in the world. Popular spot for adventure sports like bungee jumping, mountain biking, flying fox and river rafting, Rishikesh has every element to get your adrenaline pumping. Home to a lot of ashrams, spirituality, Yoga, Ayurveda and meditation are taught here. Lakshman Jhula and Neelkantha Mahadeva temple are some of the popular sites to visit.

  • Distance from Delhi: 267 kms
  • Activities to do: Rafting, Bungee jumping, Mountain biking, Flying Fox, Trekking, Meditation
  • Where to stay: A beachfront property, ALOHA - THE GANGA BLISS, offers an outdoor pool with the view of the mountains and the river. It is less than 1 km from Patanjali International Yoga Foundation. Triveni Ghat is 5 km from the accommodation, while Lakshman Jhula is 7 km from the property.

Long weekend in October 2019

October 2019 brings Diwali and a whole lot of holidays with it starting from October 26th till the 29th (Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday). A good look at the long weekend calendar for the year reveals that you can have some grand celebration this time, with a mini-vacation!

Where to go?

Auli

Apple orchards, old oaks, pine trees and snow clad mountains make up this beautiful hill station. Auli is popular for the skiing experience that it offers. Apart from skiing, one can explore treks in the hills of Garhwal Himalayas and enjoy the magnificent view of the sun shining on the white of the ice. Located 2800 meters above sea levels, it houses Nanda Devi, Mana Parvat and Kamat Kamet mountain ranges.

  • Distance from Delhi: 367 kms
  • Activities to do: Skiing, Trekking
  • Where to stay: Ski & Snow Cliff Top Club Holiday Resort, is located at Joshimath, 3kms from Auli. Nestled in snow, the soft and warm interiors of the place are aimed to provide a homely feeling to its visitors.

Long weekend in December 2019

December 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 (Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday)

The extra-long weekend in December makes up for the lack of weekends in November, and there is no reason to miss a trip in the happiest month of the year.

Where to go?

Kufri

This festive period celebrate togetherness with your family in a popular snowy holiday destination. Located 10 kms from Shimla, Kufri offers some of the best panoramic views of the mountains, with spots like Naldhera, Chail, Narkanda and Mashobra for sightseeing. Kufri Fun World is one of the highest (above sea-level) amusement parks in the world. Enjoy go-karting in a snowy environment! You can also take a horseback ride to Mahasu Park or visit the Himalayan National Park and experience 180 unique species of flora and fauna.

  • Distance from Delhi: 357 kms
  • Activities to do: Trekking, Skiing, Horse-back riding, Go-karting
  • Where to stay: Toshali Royal View is situated at the Golden Triangle, a tourist circuit connecting Delhi, Jaipur and Agra. This accommodation is 30 mins away by road from Kufri Chail and 4 hours away from Chandigarh Domestic Journey. Every room has a view of the snow-clad mountainous. Celebrate Christmas with royalty at Toshali Royal View.

Methodology

● Research commissioned by Booking.com and independently conducted among a sample of adults who have taken a trip in the last 12 months/plan to take a trip in the next 12 months.

● In total 21,500 respondents were polled (including 1,000 each from Australia, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, China, Brazil, India, US, UK, Russia, Indonesia, Colombia and South Korea; and 500 each from Japan, New Zealand, Thailand, Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Hong Kong, Croatia, Taiwan, Mexico, Netherlands, Sweden, Singapore and Israel).

About Booking.com

Established in 1996 in Amsterdam, Booking.com B.V. has grown from a small Dutch start-up to one of the largest travel e-commerce companies in the world. Part of Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: BKNG), Booking.com now employs more than 17,000 employees in 198 offices in 70 countries worldwide. With a mission to empower people to experience the world, Booking.com invests in digital technology that helps take the friction out of travel. At Booking.com, we connect travellers with the world’s largest selection of incredible places to stay, including everything from apartments, vacation homes, and family-run B&Bs to 5-star luxury resorts, tree houses and even igloos. The Booking.com website and mobile apps are available in 43 languages, offer over 29 million total reported listings, including more than 5.8 million listings of homes, apartments and other unique places to stay, and covers more than 144,000 destinations in 229 countries and territories worldwide. Each day, more than 1.5 million room nights are reserved on our platform. So whether travelling for business or leisure, customers can instantly book their ideal place to stay quickly and easily with Booking.com, without booking fees and backed up by our promise to price match. Via our customer experience team, customers can reach Booking.com 24/7 for assistance and support in over 40 languages, any time of the day or night.

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