December 8th, 2017 by Charvee Sharma

Crisp. Cold. Grey. Gloomy.

Doesn’t take too long for the first whiff of autumn to transcend into an everlasting chill of winter. When long dreary days feel more like unending nights, soaking up the sunshine does not have to be a far- fetched dream. Explore these balmy destinations and immerse yourself in every bit of that melodious sunshine, this winter.

Pondicherry

Destinations to Visit with Friends

Settled quietly alongside the Coromandel Coast, the quaint little town of Pondicherry is one of the choicest destinations in South India. With mildly cool temperatures hovering around 20 degrees in winters, Pondicherry greets its tourists in a truly refreshing style.

Rent a cycle or take a long walk along the graciously aligned lanes, pretty houses, bursting with colors of bougainvillea. Capture the sunshine taking over the Bay of Bengal in the early morning hours at Promenade Beach.

Pondicherry perfectly balances its French-esque with a twist of all things Tamil. Surprise your taste buds with irresistibly quirky cafes serving a mélange of cuisines. Explore the spacious verandas of the Tamil quarters; relive the magic of RK Laxman’s novels.

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Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Best Surfing Destinations in India

Winters in Andaman translates to sublime turquoise coloured beaches with delightful marine life.

The sparkling waters at Havelock Island bound by the rich green canopy of rainforests provide a beckoning sight to any tourist. A walk along the pristine green waters of Neil Beach can be lovingly accompanied by collecting sea shells.

Traversing through the lush, magnificent canopies of mangrove forests en route exploring the limestone caves in Baratang Island is surely to be an enthralling experience. Home to a few indigenous nomadic tribes like the Jarawa, photography on the way to this island is strictly prohibited.

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 Rann of Kutch

The exquisite land of the world’s largest salt desert, Kutch offers one of the most mesmerizing landscapes in the country. With hauntingly beautiful tribal melodies and rich Gujarati flavors, Kutch promises to be an offshoot exploration.

A camel safari into the desert with the heavenly sight of a full Moon would definitely be the most magical nights to swear by. This immensely large stretch of barren land is rightly accorded to be known as India’s ‘wild west’.

The surreal desert of salt comes alive every winter with the Rann Utsav organized by Gujarat Tourism. With glimpses of rich culture in the intricacy of handicrafts, a journey to the quietness of Kutch will undoubtedly be a humbling experience.

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Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh

Located conveniently from Jabalpur railway station, Kanha is an absolute haven for wilderness enthusiasts. Popular for being one of the most tourist friendly and well administered national parks, Kanha promises to deliver.

Winter proves to be the best season to visit the extravagance of wildlife in India. Early winter mornings being relatively chilly, feeling the golden light of the sun, shining through Sal trees promises to be totally worth it!

A jungle safari in the forest promises to be a delightful experience for all photography lovers with fascinating meadows and valleys. The whisper of the woods is thrillingly broken by herds of Spotted Deer and the much revered, Barasingha.

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Kerala

Snuggled on the shores of the Arabian Sea, the tropical state of Kerala is welcoming throughout the year. From the misty haven of Munnar to the soothing backwaters of Alappuzha, the title of being ‘God’s own country’ does every justice to its scenic charm.

Carefully placed between the lush of Western Ghats and the sparkle of the Arabian Sea, Kerala lures many solace seeking hearts into its manifold. The land of dreamy sunsets provides every dose of living the laidback life.

One can explore the sprawling metropolis of Trivandrum with moments of peace and quiet on the shores of Kovalam. Winters also makes the city bloom with colors of Pongal festivities.

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 Odisha

Nestled between the Bay of Bengal and the eastern ghats, Odisha promises to be the ideal offbeat location travel enthusiasts strive for. An aesthetically pleasing city, Odisha comes with the complete package of religious shrines with an insight into its unique tribal culture.

A paradise for photography buffs, the hoards of migratory birds arriving at Chilika Lake along with the endangered Irrawaddy Dolphins, making the coastal state of Odisha picture perfect. The calm sea breeze at Puri Beach accompanied by the golden sun brews the perfect mix for a winter day in Bhubaneswar.

Travel through the well endorsed golden triangle tour of Bhubaneswar- Konark- Puri or venture into the mangrove forests of Bhitarkanika, the state of Odisha is bound to marvel you.

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Goa

Best Surfing Destinations in India

With the most happening clubs and gigs, beaches of Arpora, Baga among many others offer electrifying beats and delectable food for all. This dazzling beach destination becomes all the more bustling with New Year celebrations.

Bring out the hippie in you with a retail therapy at the Saturday night market at Arpora Beach or the flea market on Wednesdays at Anjuna Beach. Surely, no city in India knows how to make merry like Goa!

Enjoy a night full of fireworks accompanied by the soothing sea breeze on Christmas. Spend pleasantly warm days in the lap of clear blue skies.

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About Charvee Sharma

Born in a big city, Charvee finds her heart in small towns. A free spirit, who loves to wander places in search of stories, within stories. At the end of a long day, she finds her therapy in long aimless walks and conversations, with the Moon.