February may be the shortest month, but that doesn’t mean it has any shortage of great travel opportunities. Apart from the mushy romantic Valentine’s Day weekend getaways, it’s also a great time to embrace winter sports, check out carnivals and events, and if you are gripped by freezing cold where you live, then you could also plan for a warm-weather escape. Whatever type of trip you choose, there’s no better mood-booster than a vacation in the middle of winter.
Here, we’ve rounded up 5 of the best places to travel in February.
The Goa Carnival
Goa is the perfect destination to drown yourself in the sight of the soothing waves, and relax and soak some vitamin D! This year the Goa Carnival will be taking place from February 11 to 14. It is a blend of cultural and adventurous spirit making your stay a memorable one and filling you with exhilarating experiences. The Goa Carnival itself is a colourful and a mesmerizing sight to behold.
How to get there: The nearest airport to Panaji, the capital of Goa, is the Dabolim airport which is around 26 kms away. This airport is connected to all the major airports in the country. From the airport you can easily book a taxi to travel anywhere in and around Goa. Goa is well connected through roadways from the neighbouring cities including Pune, Mumbai and Bangalore. Goa is also connected through an extensive railway network, so reaching Goa is never a problem!
Things to do:
- The Goa Carnival would keep you engaged with its parades, gigs, sports competitions, traditional dances and a range of food stalls!
- While you are in Goa, you can immerse yourselves in the beauty of the serene beaches and visit the Dudhsagar Falls, the Fontainhas, Vagator Beach, and Basilica of Bom Jesus.
- For an adrenaline kick and an unforgettable experience, water sports in Goa are a must try! There are a wide range of activities to indulge in such as snorkelling, scuba diving, water skiing, fishing trips, banana boat rides, flyboarding, kayaking, rafting and canyoning! Most of the beaches in Goa offer some form of water sport in a variety of packages for you to choose from. You can also try parasailing in Goa or go for trekking to the Dudhsagar falls, and ocean trekking in Arambol or to Neuti.
What to eat: When in Goa, definitely try out the street food and the sea food. The ras omelette, frankies, Goan fish curry, chorizo pav, xacuti, and bebinca are some of the must tries!
Rann of Kutch festival in Gujarat
The Rann Utsav is everything that you would want in a weekend getaway. It provides a breath-taking landscape and a delightful sight of pristine white sand reflecting in all its glory during the full moon nights! The Rann Utsav is filled with festivities like folk music, dance, art and craft. It is an amalgamation of the beauty of the white salt desert and the cultural carnival! This year the festival is on till February 20.
How to get there: Kutch is easily reachable as it is connected to most parts of the country through its airport in Bhuj. You can hire a taxi from the airport to reach the venue of the festival. Railways are also easily accessible and is connected to the nearby cities. You can also reach Kutch through roadways from the neighbouring cities. For those who are interested, the drive from Mumbai would take around 18 hours, so please plan for a couple of halts along the way.
Things to do:
- If you are into handicrafts and items made by local artists, the Rann Utsav would be your paradise. You can visit the craft bazaars and indulge yourselves into the colourful display of handicraft items reflecting uniqueness and the diversity of Gujarat.
- You can also spend the night in tents in Dhordo village which is around 80 kms away from Bhuj.
- You can enjoy an array of fun activities and rides in the Rann Utsav. Skyzilla- The Adventure Tower is one such platform offering a wide range of activities and facilities to the visitors of Rann Utsav. You can indulge in rock climbing, pendulum swing or the zipline tower and engage in various adventure sports such as paramotoring, riffle shooting and so on.
- Do try out the camel rides to behold the beauty and experience a surreal experience of the sunsets in the white desert!
- You can try stargazing at night and explore the Kutch museum and the Mandvi beach in Bhuj.
- You can also take a trip of Dholavira to behold the remains of the old Harappan civilization.
What to eat: If you have a sweet tooth you will love the gulab-pak which is a dessert invented in Kutch. Do try out the adadiya, dabeli, and the mouth-watering Gujarati cuisine!
Coorg in Karnataka
Coorg is famous for its coffee plantations and is ‘the’ paradise for coffee lovers. If you are a nature lover and an admirer of scenic beauty and landscapes, Coorg is the place for you! It has a lot to offer in terms of freshness and lush greenery, and surrounds you with beauteous misty landscapes. It would make for a refreshing and a rejuvenating weekend getaway.
How to get there: The nearest airport to Coorg is the Mangalore airport which is around 160 kms away and is connected to the major Indian cities. Buses operate from the nearby states and cities to Coorg on a regular basis. The nearest railway station is the Mysore railway station which is around 110 kms away and can be easily covered by a bus.
Things to do:
- You can go for a coffee plantation tour in Coorg as the coffee plantations are the highlight of the place.
- Coorg is an incredible place for camping amidst nature which you can avail through camping packages.
- You can visit the spectacular Namdroling Monastery and the Dubare Elephant Camp where you can bathe, feed and ride elephants.
- You can go for trekking to the Tadiandamol peak which is the highest peak in Coorg, or to the Kumara Parvatha hill. You can also visit the Abbey Falls, Madikeri Fort, and Bhagamandala, or indulge in mountain biking amidst the bewildering landscape of Coorg.
- If you want an adrenaline rush, do not miss out the Barapole river rafting. You will be briefed and assisted by trained experts as you experience the adventure of a lifetime!
What to eat: Do not miss out on the best coffee or the filter kaapi that Coorg has to offer! Meat lovers can devour the delicious pandi curry served with aaki roti. You can also try the kadambattu (a unique rice ball), noolputtu and the kuleputtu.
Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh
Khajuraho is a town located in Madhya Pradesh which has a group of Jain and Hindu temples known together as the Khajuraho Group of Monuments. The art of these temples which were built in the 950-1050 AD are worth a mention as they capture the essence of Indian aesthetics. They were built by the Chandela dynasty and are famous for their erotic sculptures and nagara-style architecture.
How to get there: Khajuraho has a domestic airport with limited operation of flights. You can reach Khajuraho by bus services as this place is well-connected to the neighbouring areas such as Agra, Bhopal, Jhansi, Jabalpur and so on. Khajuraho is also directly connected to Delhi via railways. The major railway station is the Mahoba station which is around 63 kms away from Khajuraho.
Things to do:
- The temples in Khajuraho are the primary attraction of this place. You can take a walking tour of the temples and explore the various Hindu, Jain and Buddhist temples in the region. Some of the important temples include the Kandariya Mahadev temple, Adinath temple, Mantageshwar temple, Ghantai temple, Javari temple and so on. Most of these temples are open for visitors with no entry fees.
- You can try out the safaris through the Panna National Park which is around 100 kms away from Khajuraho. While you are here, you can also explore the Ken Gharial Sanctuary located inside the National park. Here you can spot a variety of wildlife species and is a treat for animal lovers!
- You can also visit the Ajaigarh fort located at a distance of around 80 kms from Khajuraho. This fort belonged to the Chandela kings and is worth a visit!
What to eat: You can dive into the array of budget friendly and delicious street food that Khajuraho has to offer such as samosas, tikkis, chaats, jalebis, pakoras and so on!
Shillong in Meghalaya
Shillong, known as the Scotland of the East, is the capital of Meghalaya, and a hill station located in the north-eastern part of the country. In Shillong you will come across the friendliest tribes, the Khasi tribe which follows the matrilineal tradition. It is a home of waterfalls, picturesque landscapes and parks. It has a pollution free pleasant weather and is a beautiful destination to explore on a long weekend.
How to reach: Shillong has a small airport in Umroi which is 40 kms away from Shillong. You can also take a road trip from Guwahati which would take around 2.5 hours to reach. The Guwahati railway station is also the nearest station to Shillong. Buses and taxis operate on a daily basis from Guwahati to Shillong.
Things to do:
- Shillong is a home of a number of waterfalls which are a treat to the eye and provides an unforgettable experience. You can explore the Elephant falls which has a rock resembling an elephant. You can also visit the Sweet falls, Spread Eagle falls and the Bishop falls.
- The Umiam Lake in Shillong is one of the most iconic location where you can try boating and kayaking.
- You can visit the famous Shillong peak which gives a bird eye view of Shillong and the lush greenery surrounding this region.
- You must also visit the Laitlum Canyon which is around 23 kms away from the Shillong bus stand. This place provides a surreal experience, space, solace and solitude.
- When it comes to shopping you can explore the famous Police Bazaar where you will find almost everything starting from unique food to clothes!
What to eat: You will spot sweet delicious pineapples in the streets of Shillong. These pineapples are served with spices and are a must try! You can explore the cafes in Shillong and some hot steaming momos too!
This piece and the gallery have been updated with new information since its original publish date.
Photos : Shutterstock
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