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.