Seven travel destinations you must visit this winter

Escape the hustle-bustle of cities and indulge in incredible experiences this winter. Here are some destinations to beat the tourist trap:

RadhaNagar Beach, Havelock Island, Andamans

Blessed with immense natural beauty and serenity, RadhaNagar Beach is commonly known as Beach No 7. One of the best beaches in India to visit in winter for a honeymoon, this beach has been awarded as ‘Asia’s best beach’. Turquoise blue waters and clean sand allure honeymooners from all around the world.

You can simply relax by the beach or partake in adventure activities. Try your hand at exciting activities like snorkelling, scuba diving, and kayaking. Savour the beautiful sunset views. Bask in the glory of the sun. The beach is 12 km from Havelock’s ferry pier.

Shillong

In Meghalaya, Shillong and Dawki offer a glimpse of nature at its best. With cascading rivers, natural bridges, and fluttering leaves, the landscape is mesmerizing. Popular places to visit include Cherrapunji, Barapani, Elephant Falls, Dawki Umngot River, Shillong Peak, and Nohkalikai Falls.

Lakshadweep

If you want to beat the crowd, you can try quieter beaches like Lakshadweep instead of visiting Goa. These are almost crowd-free and pristine.

Igatpuri

Nestled in the bosom of the Western Ghats, Igatpuri is a little hill station in the state of Maharashtra. Igatpuri is surrounded by some of the highest ranges of the Sahyadri, making it a haven for trekkers and nature lovers alike. The little town acts as a popular weekend destination and is often sought after for its serene ambience. Offering an ideal getaway in the very heart of nature, the little city is a perfect escapade from the hustle and bustle of the busy city life.

With its numerous little hills, clear streams and thundering waterfalls, the beauty of Igatpuri city is quite unparalleled. Ancient fort ruins and historic temples add to the charm of the little town. Although small in size, the places to visit in Igatpuri are many. While lovers of history will have the time of their lives exploring the ancient forts of Tringalwadi and Avandha, nature lovers can spend a quieting time in the Kalsubai Harishchandragad Wildlife Sanctuary or the Vihigaon waterfalls. The little town is also extremely well known as the home to the world’s largest meditation centre, the Vipassana Academy, which acts as a wellness retreat.

Whether you’re a nature lover or an adventure enthusiast, you will never run out of things to do while in Igatpuri. The adventure sports options in the city are many: from river rafting in the rapids of the Vaitarna, to camping under the open stars, Igatpuri has it all. The area is of special interest to trekking and hiking enthusiasts, with its slopes and waterfalls offering an ideal location for the sport. Being located at a high elevation, Igatpuri enjoys pleasant weather throughout the year. The temperature generally remains on the cooler side. The hill station enjoys significant rainfall throughout the year, with the dry season spanning between November to March.

Tawang

Tawang Monastery is the second-largest Buddhist monastery in the world. And if you are an adventure enthusiast looking for offbeat destinations in India in December, this place is heaven. Make this winter thrilling by hitting the land of Tawang. It is surrounded by the majestic Himalayas and valleys wrapped by multicoloured prayer flags.

Be a part of the Losar festival celebrated here and add another festive fervour to your winter. This town has three major shopping sites – the Old Market, the Nehru Market, and the New Market. Enjoy shopping and buying items such as crockery, sweaters, shoes, handbags, traditional jewellery, prayer wheels, flags, and many more.

Varkala Beach, Kerala  

Nestled at the bottom of splendid cliffs, the beautiful Varkala beach is just one hour northwards of Trivandrum. The beach lies amid Alleppey and Kovalam and is also known as Papanasam Beach. Ideal for swimming and sunbathing, this beach offers wonderful sunset views. The stream near the beach is known to have curative and medicinal properties.

A less-commercialized beach, it has been blessed by immense natural scenery. The huge red rocks and coconut trees look beautiful. Do not forget to click photographs for keepsakes. Take a dip in the waters and feel relaxed. Another must-visit attraction is the 900-year-old Janardana Swami temple.

Marari Beach, Alappuzha, Kerala

Located near Alleppey (around 11 km away), Marari Beach has been blessed with soft golden sands and a wonderful ambience, ideal for a memorable vacation. Termed one of the most romantic beaches in India to visit this winter, Marari offers various activities such as deep-sea fishing, sea surfing, parasailing, and water skiing.

The beach derives its name from Mararikulam, a fishing village on the Arabian Sea coast. The seclusion attracts honeymooners as well as peace-seekers to the beach. Away from the hustle-bustle of the city, the beach is a memorable experience, after the backwaters of Alleppey.

Now that you have the list of best beaches in India to visit in winter, it’s time to spend some memorable moments here with loved ones.