Feeling a bit low with the post-party blues after the New Year celebrations? What if I told you that 2024 is a year full of long weekends, ideal for mini-vacations?

To wish you a Happy New Year, The Better India style, here is a list of upcoming long weekends with suggestions and itineraries to inspire your travels.

January Kicking off the New Year with a non-working Monday sets the tone for a month with two additional extended weekends. Makar Sankranti on 15 January 15 falls on a Monday, whereas, Republic Day, 26 January, is conveniently placed on a Friday.

Consider exploring the culturally rich Golden Triangle — Agra, Delhi, and Jaipur — for a mini-vacation to begin the year. Pleasant January temperatures, paired with clear skies and local winter delicacies, promise a delightful experience.

March While February has fewer holidays, March will come as a relief with two potential long weekends awaiting you as Holi falls on a Monday and Mahashivratri on a Friday.

For a peaceful escape, try Maravanthe, Karnataka — just a 400 km drive from Bengaluru, offering stunning landscapes in a quiet village. Alternatively, experience the famous ‘Lathmaar Holi’ in Barsana, Uttar Pradesh.

May If your workplace generously provides a holiday on Buddha Purnima, which conveniently falls on a Thursday, why not enhance the joy by taking a leave on Friday?

You can check out Lansdowne in Uttarakhand for its serene tranquillity and natural beauty. May offers ideal temperatures ranging from 15 to 30 degrees Celsius for a perfect visit.

June With Bakri Eid potentially falling on a Monday, 17 June, you can transform it into an extended weekend by taking either Tuesday or Thursday off — or even both!

As 2024 ends and many places swelter, consider a trip to Jibhi, a stunning Himachal Pradesh hill village famous for trekking, nature walks, and nearby sights.

August If your company observes Raksha Bandhan on 19 August, take Friday off the previous week for a four-day extended weekend. Also, with Janmashtami on Monday, 26 August, another chance for a long weekend awaits.

With the monsoon already kicked in, it would be a wonderful time to visit Dandeli in Karnataka — a serene town with lush greenery, dense forests, and the gushing Kali river, which is in its full glory this time of the year, offering majestic views and rafting activities.

September If your workplace observes a holiday on Onam which falls on a Thursday in 2024, simply take leave on Friday, and voila, you have yet another chance for a small vacation.

You can head to Kerala to witness the Onam festivities, including a grand procession called the Onam Parade in Thiruvananthapuram.

November Diwali falls on a Friday this year, giving all travel enthusiasts a chance to plan a festive adventure if you take the Monday or Thursday off!

You can head to Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary to spot migratory birds that arrive at the beginning of winter. You can also consider going for a short road trip to nearby Fatehpur Sikri, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.