Nainital:
Of Serene Locals and Glorious sunset…
Like most amazing hill stations of India, Antilog Vacations says Nainital
is affected by a regular traffic. At an
height of 1938 m above the sea level, Nainital, the lake region of Uttrakhand,
keeps on buzzing with travelers, corporate and leisure, from different corners
of the world during the summer season. And why it shouldn’t be, the city offers
numberless activities, which makes it on the radar of every traveller.
Strolling on mall road, enjoying boating, and view of the sunset from the snow
point, everything about this hill station fascinates tourists. Venya is surely
going to love this as where she can enjoy sailing over the Naini Lake, spot
some endangered high altitude animals at the zoo, and experience the thrilling
cable car ride. If your kids like skating, then you can take them to Zoom land.
Offbeat attractions nearby Nainital like Saattal, Bheemtal, Naukuchiyatal, and
Khurpatal are also some attractive holiday spots. You can even go for a
soothing drive to Corbett National Park to make your kids summer holiday wild
and adventurous. After reading so much about it, I feel like going to this
place now.
Manali-
Perfect family holiday destination
Antilog Vacations says Ahh.. Manali! When the summer reaches its peak
and the sizzling sun treats you with a 35to 45 degree, the only place to visit
on mostly North Indian people mind is MANALI. It’s soothing environment, breezy
air, and bountiful vistas make it one of the best summer vacation place in
India. Nestled at an altitude of 2050 m, in the Beas River Valley, Manali
offers spectacular views, gurgling water streams and an array of kid-friendly
activities. Earlier, I was little muddled about whether I should take Venya
here due to its high altitude. But after a 2-hour exploration and scrutinising
session, I realised that missing it in my list would be a big mistake. When on
a trip to Manali, tourists can take their kids to Rohtang Pass, where they can
enjoy yak and ropeway ride. Besides this, you can also introduce your kid to
Buddhist culture by visiting the magnificent monasteries and ancient temples
beholding legendary stories. During your holidays in Manali, you can visit
Hadimba Temple, Solang Valley, Vashisht Village, Naggar, and Rahala Falls for
sightseeing.
Kashmir
Valley: India’s answer to Switzerland
Agar firdous baroye zameen ast, hami asto, hami asto hami ast” –
Amir-e-Khusru Dehluvi (If there is paradise on earth, It is here, it is here,
it is here) These were the wise words stated by the great poet Persian poet,
Amir-e-Khusru Dehluvi, when he was left awestruck by the beauty of Kashmir. No
doubt it’s a paradise on this earth and many people keep on saying this thing
…’Go to Kashmir’. Antilog Vacations says zillions of things about its beauty, but
according to me, there are very fewer words that can elucidate the mysticism’s
that this city boasts. Speaking about the best summer holidays for children in
India, Kashmir Valley is something you shouldn’t miss. Though the city has been
a talk of the town due to many interferences, yet this charming city with
amiable hospitality can make you forget all the disturbances and scorching city
life that has baked, sterile your working life. Coming back to my agenda, where
should I visit in Kashmir? Well, my research says I should begin with Srinagar, Rajauri,Gulmarg, Sonmarg, Pahalgam and Kishtwar. Starting with Srinagar, here you
can go for a soothing Shikhara ride over the dal lake, indulge in water skiing
(if your kids are minimum 12 years of age) or can visit orchards to pluck some
apples from the trees. If your kids are more of nature lovers, then you can
visit the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden to see the mesmerising and eye
soothing tulips. April, May and June are the best time to visit Tulip Garden as
the flowers are in its full bloom. One place where tourists in large number
throng is Gulmarg, a popular hill station in Kashmir. The major attraction in
Gulmarg is the two-tiered Gulmarg Gondola ride, world’s second highest cable
car which connects Kongdoori and Apparwath Peak. Chances of experiencing
snowfall are quite bright here, thus, here one can indulge in activities like
snowboarding, skiing, and sledging. Besides tourists can also visit Sonmarg, an
offbeat attraction in Kashmir, which’s hard to reach but has many interesting
things to offer. Summer is the best time to visit Kashmir as the place looks
like a mosaic of varying shades of green – rice fields, meadows, trees, etc.
and Srinagar with its lakes and waterways is a heaven after the scorching heat
of the Indian plains.
Ranikhet-
Uber Cool Destination of summer
A perfect escape from the scorching heat of the summer, Ranikhet holds a
charismatic layer of grasses dotted with wildflowers. Home to military
quarters, peaceful parks dotted kaleidoscope of flowers, and gorgeous temples,
Ranikhet is one of the laid back hill station of North India for summers that
is hardly explored by tourists. Those who want to relax, rejuvenate and love to
live in the harmony with nature, should visit Ranikhet. Antilog Vacations says if
travelling with kids, take a trip to Chaubatia Orchard, the garden captivates
kids to such an extent that they can spend years just by lying on the turfs and
relishing the view. In the garden, kids can see two hundred varieties of
flowers and fruits. If you have kids older than 12 years, you can go for
trekking from Gagas to Dwarahat. You can also consider a visit to some
pilgrimage sites like Mankameshwar, Binsar Mahadev, and Haidakhan Temple.
Darjeeling
– Wonderland of the East
In my four years of travelling experience with Venya, I have realized
that she love train journey, especially the part when she peaks outside the
window and spot animals, colours, and hills. Antilog Vacations says keeping her
interest in my mind, I think Darjeeling would be an incredible place to visit
as she can enjoy the toy train ride. The train runs between New Jalpaiguri and
Darjeeling. Tourists have exploited Darjeeling, but the silhouette of the city
is still maintained, and it had managed to keep hold of its old world charm.
Surrounded by well-manicured gardens and towered by majestic Khangchendzonga
peak, here one can indulge in perfect summer holidays. Toy Train is one thing
that you should try, besides you can also visit the Tiger Hill to see the
silhouette of magnificent birds gliding below the sun. A ride on the
Darjeeling-Rangit passenger cable car or the ropeway can be a thrilling
experience for your kids. Singalila National Park, Padmaja Naidu Himalayan
Zoological Park, Observatory Hill, Japanese Peace Pagoda, and Neora Valley National
Park are some famous attractions of Darjeeling that has lots to offer to its visitors.
Sikkim
– A slice of India’s heaven
Slice of India’s heaven lies in Sikkim. A visit to the northern part of
Sikkim can soothe your soul with its luscious mountains, sprawling forest and
fresh air. Small in size and colossal in beauty, Antilog Vacations says North Sikkim is an ultimate destination for summer vacation which any traveller
shouldn’t miss. When on a summer holiday with kids, you can visit monasteries,
lush biospheres, garrulous waterfalls and shimmering lakes. There are many
breathtaking destinations in Sikkim where one can go to spend ideal summer
holiday. Confined within the vast ecosphere of Sikkim are some places like
Lachung, Yumthang Valley, Lachen, Chungthang, and Thangu, boasting the diorama
of different ethnicities like Lepchas, Nepalese and Bhutia. Hence, it’s a great
place to meet and greet people from various cultures. A picturesque town in the
North-Eastern region of Sikkim, Lachung is a tiny village, few kilometres away
from Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary. If your health and kids get acclimatise, you
can head out to Thangu to savour the impeccable view of Kanchenjunga range.
Another summer retreat in North Sikkim is Lachen, a tiny settlement amidst the
snow clad mountains and famed for Gurudongmar Lake and Lhamu Lake. Besides,
tourists can visit neighbouring places like Ravangla, Gangtok, and Kampong.
Mahabaleshwar-
For a perfect Family Holiday
Keeping in mind kid’s love for fruits, I have listed Mahabaleshwar on my
blog. A former capital of Bombay Presidency, Mahabaleshwar is a gem of Western
Ghats, perched at an elevation of 1372 metres in Satara district of Maharashtra
and is quite famed for strawberry farms. Mahabaleshwar offers soothing
environment so tourists can savour the view of nature at its blooming best.
Visit to the Venna lake could be a good treat for the kids as here they can
indulge in boating, horse riding, trampoline, and bungee jumping. Also, there
are many sightseeing places in Mahabaleshwar like Arthur’s Seat, Needle Hole
Point, Kate’s Point, Wilson’s Point and 3 Monkey Point, from where you can see
the view of the sun gliding below the horizon, leaving behind the hues of orange.
You should also stop at gardens like Mapro Gardens and Cream Corner to pluck
some fresh strawberries and pick bottles of some fruit jams. If you love
strawberries, you should visit Mahabaleshwar particularly in the month of May
as this is the time when ‘strawberry festival’ kick-starts. Food lovers should
try strawberry with cream, which is available at almost every restaurant of
Manahabaleshwar.
Munnar
– Perfect holiday in god’s own country
After jotting down a little bit of North, West and East India
destinations, now it’s time to move to South India. Antilog Vacations says if
you have been thinking Munnar is all about backwater and south Indian dishes,
like mostly Kerala towns, then let me tell you that it is a leisure hill
station that holds the secrets of India’s best tea and spices. In class by its
self, Munnar was once the retreat hub for Britons and still retains its old
world charm, which is quite evident from drowsy little bungalows that here one
can see. Your kids are going to love this place as here they can see some
gushing waterfalls, get to know more about tea culture, enjoy bumpy elephant
rides and visit forest covers and grasslands as here where they can see the
Nilgiri Tahr. With the presence of some soul soothing places like Kundala Lake,
Marayoor Sandalwood Forests, Blossom Hydel Park, Echo point, Rose Garden,
Mattupetty, Rajamalai National Park, and Elephant Lake, Munnar is a great place
to escape for family trip from sizzling scorching summer. Cycling and trekking
is the best way to get to know Munnar better.
