Travel

Pune is blessed with an amazing diversity in interesting places around it - from history to mystery, and nature to adventure. So why waste the weekends by sitting at home? Go pack your bags and explore these amazing yet lesser known weekend getaways near Pune right now!

We all know about magnificent Mysore and amazing Coorg and lovely Ooty. Been there, done that! Here are three lesser known but amazing weekend getaways from Bangalore you should explore right now!

There is something fascinating about train journeys. Trains are much more than just a mode of transport. As the train moves forward smoothly passing through beautiful locations and landscapes, we all fall in love with it. The journey becomes all the more amazing during the monsoon when the fresh rain cleans the surrounding and makes it a journey to remember. Have a glimpse of the lush monsoons in the Western Ghats.

A wizard once cursed the town which led to its destruction - one of the many ghost stories and supernatural experiences you will hear about when you visit Bhangarh, the "ghost town" of India which is considered to be one of the most haunted places in the country.

When you visit Rajasthan, the forts and palaces always capture the attention. But there is a small city, unexplored and ignored that has nothing to offer you in the name of palaces and tourist destinations and often gets a miss when you plan a tour. Churu, though less explored is worth a visit. Read why!

When a virulent epidemic called Black Fever struck their village, all the villagers vacated the place and never returned. Nature healed itself and now it is the location of one of India's most beautiful sanctuaries. Join Gangadharan Menon as he unearths the legends and mysteries surrounding the beautiful Orang and Nameri national parks in Assam, in addition to its stunning wildlife!

Ramadan is a special month in the Muslim calender, when the holy Quran was revealed. Devout Muslims spend the month fasting from dawn to dusk, and at the time of sunset, they partake in an evening meal called Iftar to break the fast. In India, this month is looked forward to by Muslims and non-Muslims alike, for the incredible array of mouth-watering food on display during Iftar. Here Nabila Tazyeen takes us to the streets of old Bangalore to feast our eyes and taste buds!

Go to Netala if you want to understand what life in a far removed, way quieter world can feel like. Less networks, more connection. Less time-chasing, more timelessness. Less adornments, more beauty. Less indulgences, more involvement. Less amenities, more resourcefulness. Less safety nets, more adventure. Less walls, more sky.

Join Nabila Tazyeen as she wanders into the historic towns of Gulbarga and Bidar in Karnataka, soaking in the local history, the local cuisine and the local legends. From a shrine where locks are used as wishes to a madrasa which was struck by the wrath of God, the legends are colourful indeed!

Kalap is a tiny hamlet in the upper Garhwal Himayalas along the valley of River Supin close to the popular trekking destinations of Har-Ki-Doon and Kedarkantha. Untouched and unexplored, it offers a memorable escapade complete with subtle views of the Himalayas and a taste of the local culture and traditions. As spring arrives after a chilly winter the moods of the village are a treat to behold scripting a true Himalayan experience.