FORT COCHIN:
Fort Cochin is a living history lesson. Outsiders have been drawn to this town on the Arabian Sea supposedly since king Solomon’s time. Te Jews, Arabs, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch and the British have all been here at some point or the other and they have all left their mark. There are centuries-old churches, India’s oldest synagogue, palaces and spice markets even older than the palace and churches. But it is not all history here. You will also find little cafes and restaurants, restored heritage hotels, secluded homestays and trendy art galleries. Fort Kochi is truly timeless. Stay at Walton’s home stay.

MURUD-JANJIRA:
On the drive from Mumbai to murud-janjira, it might be tempting to take the road to goa. But resist and persist and take the proverbial less-trodden road to what was the last stronghold of the Abyssinian sides in India. The beach, at 1.75km, may be short but is pretty and the sea languorously calm. But it is the 300-year-old janjira fort, rising ominously out of the sea that commands all attention. One of the most important maritime forts of India, it is believed that janjira was never conquered, though the Marathas the British and the Portuguese all tried. It took 22 years to build the’ indestructible’ fort and it was occupied till as recently as 1972, and though empty now, it remains a proud and defiant fort. Murud-janjira is 165km from Mumbai and it takes roughly four hours to cover the stretch.

MUMBAI WEEKEND GETAWAYS:
An escape does not always require a thousand miles between you and the big bad city. All slong the coastline around Mumbai, the maximum vacation awaits in the form of charming little getaways. To wit, the u-tan sea resort, nestled on the crest of a hill just out of uttan village and offering a breathtaking view of the sea, the up market memorable in manori with its large, airy rooms the luxurious the retreat, erangal. For yuppies there is the spanking new Radisson resort & spa in alibaug with its Thai and Balinese inspired décor.

TRANQUEBAR:
Tranquebar-the name itself evokes images of silent beaches and solitary walks. Its original name is even moremellifluous-tarangambadi, the land of the singing waves. The two names sum up the place perfectly. In this erstwhile Danish outpost, explore the old colonial structures at your own pace, watch the 14th-century stone temple battle the waves or just sit back on the beach and contemplate the endless silence. With neemrana restoring three heritage structures and converting them into hotels, visitors can have a very comfortable stay in tranquebar.neemrana also manages the budget hotel Tamil nadu.

KURUMGAD ISLAND:
If you have had a fantasy of living on a deserted island, then kurumgad island resort is the place to indulge it. Even if you're sharing the resort with other guests, there's enough space to be on your own. Located on an island 4km off the coast of karwar, the resort consists of tents and cottages built amidst wild vegetation. Here you can go on dolphin-spotting boat rides, enjoy water sports, take part in the evening barbeque or retire to a secluded nook with a book..

GOKARNA:
Gokarna is a little town with a disproportionate number of temples. It is also blessed by a beautiful location on the Western Ghats and is flanked by untouched beaches that drew in the first tourists-hippies and backpackers. The beaches are still unspoiled and up market tourists have now discovered them too. Swaswara is a secluded resort set in 26 acres of land near Om beach. The resort comprises of konkan-tyle villas complete with all the comforts you could wish for. Its focus is on yoga and meditation-given the surroundings they're in, that's just perfect.

PONDICHERRY:

Pondicherry is two towns in one-the bustling Tamil section on one side and the serene French quarter on the other. it is the French part of town-Ville blanche-that draws in the tourists. The well laid out, tree-lined lanes of the villa are ideal for walking. The beautiful French colonial grand houses, the aurobindo ashram, the classic churches are all whine easy walking distance of each other. In the evenings you can sit on the promenade and watch the sunset, then amble over to a restaurant for a leisurely' French' dinner. For a spiritual fix visit auroville, just outside Pondicherry. Stay at hotel del' orient, one of the finest heritage hotels in pondicherry.

 

BANGARAM ISLAND RSORT:

Located in still-pristine Lakshadweep, bangaram island resort is for those who want escape the world. Set on a teardrop-shaped, coconut tree-covered island, this is a back-to-the-basics eco resort. Here you will find no air-conditioning, no television, no running hot water, no phones, no room service and no news paper. But you will find a bar that is open all day, a library and cocktail lounge, tasty food, attentive staff and an unspoiled beach. Of activities pick from diving, snorkeling and fishing. But to enjoy bangaram best, tie a hammock in a sheltered spot and sleep your worries away.

SINDHUDURG:

Sindhudurg, Maharashtra's southernmost district, hides in the shadow of her flashier neighbour, goa. And that is a blessing. A land of varied and wondrous beauty, sindhudurg has some- thing for everyone. You can choose to doze off to the sound of waves on one of the district's many empty beaches, or drive up to the mist covered hill-station of amboli, or tuck into some delicious malvan seafood and explore the awe-insping forts of sindhudurg and vijayadurg. By the way, did we mention you will likely be the only tourist during your visit? Stay at one of the comfortable homestays run by culture aangan.

 

LAKSHADWEEP CRUISE:

To describe Lakshadweep you have to resort to clichés-sun-kissed beaches, eternal sunshine, turquoise waters. We can go on. To get your fill of the island, may we suggest the cruises run by the tourim department, SPORTS. You'll embark from the kocha harbour, sail on waters that change colour every few metres, stop at beaches with powdery white sands, eat fresh seafood, go diving or snorkeling in the aforementioned turquoise waters and wish you never had to sail back to reality. SPORTS offers a number of cruise packages-single or multiple island, accommodation aboard the ship or on land.

THE BEACH AT MANDVI PALACE:

It is all about location at the beach at mandvi palace. This tented camp is set at the edge of a 2.5km-long private beach and is surrounded by 450 acres of jungle. Owned by the erstwhile rulers of mandvi, the camp is a retreat fit for royals. There are just 10 tents, fitted with all mod-cons any city dweller will desire. The beach is mostly deserted, the staff attentive yet discreet; there are horse and camel rides on offer and the amndvi palace is conveniently located nearby for a quick check out.

KERALA BACKWATERS:

Kerala's network of lakes, canals, rivers and backwaters take you right into the heart of the state. The kettuvallam or the houseboat is the glamorous way to cruise these waters. You can watch fishermen at work, school kids rowing to school and housewives busy with their chores. But if you want an even more intimate look, why not try the DIY style of water travel? Take the government ferries or hail a passing kocha vallam and skip from one island to another. Whichever way you choose, you would have sen a karala that moves to a slower rhythm. There are several houseboat operators.

 

BAREFOOT ECOTOURS:

It's always Sunday in the andamans.connect with your inner Crusoe as you set up up camp on remote, sun-kissed, slier-sanded, coral-reefed beaches. Go swimming in secluded coves. Walk in hushed awe under a rainforest canopy. Go saltwater croc-spotting in a kayak. Now all you need is a man Friday. Enter the barefoot group, offering a range of eco-tours from Havelock Island. These include competently run day trips as well as overnight excursions. A recommended option is the 2N excursion by dunghi to long island and north Passage Island.