Those who are geographically-handicapped may be quite surprised to know that there are a number of great weekend getaways around Delhi for you to go exploring. A number of historic and religious destinations separate you by only a little more than hundred kilometers. They can be an excellent excuse to recharge your batteries after spending a tiring week at the college, school or office.
Here are our top 5 pick:
Agra: At barely 211 km, Agra is a short distance away and can be reached via train, plane or bus or car. Amongst the weekend getaways, it is easily the most popular as a tourist destination. If you haven't seen Agra yet, it definitely should be in your wish list for the forthcoming weekend. While the Taj Mahal is the biggest draw, other wonders like the Agra Fort, Akbar's Tomb and Mehtab Bagh will give you their own share of memories. Despite having a sizeable number of historic attractions, Agra does not require more than 2 days to be explored fully. Hence, for a 1-day or a 2-day trip from Delhi, this city gets our top vote.
Vrindavan-Mathura: At barely 150 km, these twin towns take the cherry when it comes to a religious destination. These are quiet villages where Lord Krishna grew up and spent his formative years doing all his Ras-leelas. There are temples, gardens, memorials, peacocks and a jubilant ambiance which make these two towns a treat for the soul.
Bharatpur: We know that there is wild side to our readers as well. So, we drum up the town called Bharatpur whose biggest lure is the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (now called Keola Deo Bird Sanctuary). It is a green jungle where the best way to explore life is through cycle rickshaws that are available there for nominal rents. Bharatpur is at a distance of 182 km from Delhi and makes for one of the most cathartic weekend getaways around Delhi.
Jaipur: Jaipur is one of the biggest tourist destinations in India. People come over to this city from places as far as South America and Australia. So, you being a Delhi-ite, are really fortunate to share it as your neighbor. Why miss out on Jaipur which has become all the more tempting with the Jaipur Literature Festival hovering nearby.
Mussoorie: At around 270 km, Mussoorie is amongst out favorite Delhi weekend getaways. Its rustic hills smell of the yellow pages of a Ruskin Bond book. Full of orchards, temples, churches, quiet moors and meadows, who thought India could have had such an endearing place!