With Valentine’s weekend right around the corner, everyone has started scrambling to find the perfect gifts for their partners. The eight days of the Valentine’s week look like a checklist of all things that can go wrong. If you’re tired of giving and receiving roses and teddies every year, the best thing to do right now would be to find a weekend destination for a romantic getaway. Gift your partner an experience they will never forget. 

Before you dip into your savings to book resorts and hotels in destinations that are sure to be full to the brim with tourists, consider checking out some of the hidden, intimate, travel destinations scattered only a stone’s throw away from urban hubs like Delhi, Bangalore, and Mumbai. If you’re up at night trying to figure out where to head to, to make your days (and nights) special, then here are some getaways within India that will make you both fall in love with each other once again. 

Waterside escapes

Kumarakom

If you’re looking to forego the crowds and find an idyllic location to chill with your loved one, Kumarakom offers the best of the lagoons and backwaters that ‘God’s own country’ boasts of. You and your partner can lose yourself amidst the lush greenery, ample bird watching opportunities, and the intricate web of lagoons. Don’t miss the gorgeous wooden carving in the Shiva temple and try the local cuisines and enjoy as the delicious spices tingle your taste buds. Relax in a houseboat and unwind with the gentle lapping of the waters around you.

Alleppey 

 

Officially known as Alappuzha, Alleppey promises palm-fringed canals, green paddy fields, and charming locales. Dotted with villages, toddy shops, canoes, and hundreds of houseboats, Alleppey is the perfect place to head for the weekend. If you grow tired of the meandering backwaters, you can always head west, to the beach and catch the sun as it dips into the sea. It has all the charm of the backwaters of Kerala with the verdant beauty of the tropical forests. One of the must-go-to places in Kerala with your soulmate, Alleppey offers an alluring romantic experience.

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Sundarbans 

 

Just a few clicks away from Kolkata, the Sundarbans not only house the majestic Royal Bengal Tiger. The area also boasts of lovely waterways, pods of dolphins, and a rustic atmosphere which could be great to rekindle the fires of your love. Lose yourself in this great labyrinth of colours and flavours. This would be the perfect opportunity to head to the criss-crossing river systems as After February, the temperatures start to rise. Go boating amidst the mangrove forests and take a gander at birdwatching with your partner. 

Tarkarli

 

A serene and quiet hamlet, you can head to Tarkarli with your partner if you want to take a moment out of your busy lives to stare into each other’s eyes. Romance feels much more intense when you’re on a gorgeous beach, looking at the sunset. You can also try out water sports like snorkelling and scuba diving if you’re looking to make memories.

Hill stations

Munnar

 

Engulfed in shades of green, Munnar is carpeted in verdant tea plantations, contoured, clipped and sculpted like ornamental hedges. you can find love in the aisles amidst the plantations, or lay beneath the azure skies with your partner, and just soak in the love. Let the captivating scenery redefine your love for each other.

Khajjiar

Also called the mini-Switzerland of India. Khajjiar is a small hamlet near Dalhousie, perfect for weekend trips from Delhi NCR. Play mini gold amidst the lush greenery or go for a horse rise at sunset. There are lots of experiences that Khajjiar offers, and most of them will stay with you for a long time. 

Lansdowne 

 

If you or your partner is a fitness freak and loves scaling mountains, Lansdowne is the perfect place to head to. It is not as crowded as McLeodganj, Nainital, and other hill stations, so you can blaze your own trail through the ample trekking grounds that the town provides, and when you take a break, you can bask in the sun with each other. Even if you don’t feel like sweating it out on a romantic getaway, you can enjoy long strolls though nature and leisurely boat rides on Bhulla lake. 

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Tawang

An idyllic destination for a magical weekend, Tawang is not often frequented by tourists. You can relax in front of a fire or eat your way across the town. This is a perfect place to share a plate with your loved one or take an early morning stroll to catch the sunrise. Picturesque mountains cut through the scenery giving you an impressive backdrop to the cosmos shrubs which come alive in a riotous blossom of red and pink.

Desert sands

Jaisalmer 

 

One of the most underrated Rajasthani cities, Jaisalmer is the place where urban living meets the desert. Known as the golden city because of its ample sand dunes and shifting topography, Jaisalmer is a Gem that you should not dismiss. Jaisalmer fort takes pride of place and from the citadel spring meandering alleyways which you and your partner can explore to your hearts content. With shops selling colourful handicrafts and havelis that will make you travel back in time, Jaisalmer is an amalgam of exotic Indian desert culture, heritage, and adventure. 

Bikaner 

Vibrant and colourful, Bikaner is a gem of the Thar that everyone must explore. Going here with a loved one is especially satisfying as you get to unravel the history that hides amidst the temples, forts, and sceneries of this beautiful city. Explore this stronghold of the Rajput civilisation and lose yourself in the stunning golden dunes of Bikaner. 

Kutch 

With the moon above, and leagues of white wilderness in front of you, holding hands takes on a magical sensation. With vast expanses of white salt desert, Kutch is one of the most surreal places in India. Rent a two-wheeler and travel the expanse of the white desert with your partner. Here you can enjoy Valentine’s day away from the humdrum of your daily lives by exploring its deserts, taking a camel safari, and staring at clear skies at night. 

Leh-Ladakh 

One of the most beautiful landscapes in the country, Ladakh is perfect for a romantic getaway with the love of your life. Not only will it be a memorable trip, you will find a lot of photo-op opportunities for your Instagram as well. Hashtag your love and make memories under the milky way. There are a lot of places you can head to while enjoying the pristine beauty that the place provides. Steeped in culture and natural beauty, the azure skies and sapphire lakes of Ladakh will give you the feeling of being in a foreign land.

Fantastic Forts

Udaipur

If you’re into opulence and want to take your partner on a trip they will never forget, Udaipur is the perfect place to go. Famously called the ‘Venice of the East,’ Udaipur is the perfect place for fostering love. It brings together the shimmering beauty of the lakes and the regal adventure of the palaces and forts that Rajasthan boasts of. If you’re tired of forts and lakes, you can always head to the Vintage car museum to while away time together. Take a plethora of pics for the ‘gram, one for each day of the Valentines week.

Hampi

Many people dismiss Hampi as a pilgrimage hub, but there is much more to be experienced in this city of ruins. As a UNESCO protected heritage site, Hampi is peppered with gorgeous ruins and ancient temples, but there is a different side to the town that not many know of. Hampi is a hotspot of adventure and off-beat experiences as well. Take a coracle ride along the Tungabhadra or relax in a hut on Hippie island with your partner. This is a city of possibilities.  

Neemrana fort palace 

If you don’t have too much time away from the city, Neemrana fort palace makes for a perfect romantic weekend getaway. Forget about your spreadsheets and excel files amidst the lavish, revamped 553 years old medieval Fort-Palace in the shadow of the Aravalli hills. Neemrana is all about relaxing with your partner. When you come here, all your worries are washed away, and you leave rejuvenated. 

Orchha 

A quaint little town in Tikamgarh district of Madhya Pradesh, this place is a mixture of royalty and heritage. Nestled on the banks of the Betwa river, this historical town offers culture, beauty, and experiences on a platter. The Orchha fort houses many ancient monuments consisting of the fort, palaces, temple, and other edifices. Surrounded by ancient monuments and scenic places, a trip to Orchha is a wonderful weekend getaway for couples who love archaeology and history. 

This Valentine’s Day rekindle your love nestled in a seaside shack or holed up in a mountain café. Don’t let your love-life go stale, keep it on it’s toes by planning an itinerary that will keep you on yours!