Love is in the air because Valentine’s Day is nearing! Though for the couples in true love, romance is just not restricted to the Valentine’s Day, yet this is a special day to make your loved ones feel even more special.
With Valentine’s Day only few days away, you also must be thinking or busy planning ho to spend the day in the most beautiful and unique way! You can plan out so many different things to make your Valentine’s Day just perfect. You can go for romantic dinners, engage in fun activities, take out that special person for a shopping spree or gift your loved one something special and unique. But have your ever thought of doing these same things, but in a different place, away from your home, away from the hustle and bustle of daily life? How about gifting a rose or just exchanging a loving hug not at your home but amidst the snowcapped mountains? How about going out for dinner not in the same old restaurants but by the beaches, in a tent that you can put up? How about whispering those special words in the ears of your partner not at the pubs or night clubs but in a serene, tranquil atmosphere? Isn’t that even more interesting and romantic?
With beaches, forests, mountains etc, India has always been a leading tourist location of the world. The country is the ideal place to spend your Valentine’s Day. The different states in India have something different and unique in store for you!
Whether you want to spend a day near the pristine sea or the serene mountains, romantic destinations are numerous when it comes to selecting a destination for a memorable getaway! Pack your bags and indulge in a memorable getaway to any one of the romantic hot spots listed below.
To help you in search for the most romantic Valentine’s Day Getaways in India, this year, here are some of the popular ones. Pack your bags, leave all your tensions behind and head of to any of these romantic places to make your Valentine’s Day, this year, an experience of a life time.
Manali
Manali, popularly known as the “Switzerland of India” is situated in the beautiful state of Himachal Pradesh. Famous for its amazing beauty and romantic ambiance, Manali is a wonderful place to be in with your loved ones. Go for ballooning on the Solang Valley, have a look at the picturesque meadow or trek down through the scenic trails in Manali. You may also try your hand out in some of the winter sports such as ice-skating and skiing. It would surely be a romantic experience for you to cherish for ever.
Shimla
Shimla, an amazingly beautiful hill station in the state of Himachal Pradesh, is located in the foothills of the mighty Himalayas. A romantic and beautiful holiday spent in Shimla is always a unique experience of a lifetime. Shimla is a must visit for the couples in love. Nestled within the thick forests of pine, fir, oak, rhododendron, etc and the captivating hills, Shimla is the perfect escape for you, this Valentine’s Day. Temples, ancient cottages, colonial houses, Jakhoo Temple, the Mall, etc are the popular attractions in Shimla.
Goa
If Goa is referred as a ‘paradise’ for the holiday makers or the loving couples, this wont be an exaggeration and you all would agree to this! It is among the sought after tourist locations in India. The perfect blend of the sun-kissed beaches and the revered temples or ancient churches, the rocking parties and the lip-smacking cuisines- where else would you find such a combination to take pleasure in? The major places that you can pay a visit on this Valentine’s Day are Calangute, Vagator, Colva, Baga, Harmal etc. Relax on the exotic beaches or feel the peace and serenity at the Goan churches such as Basilica of Bom Jesus and Se Cathedral; whatever you do, you just cannot afford to miss Goa as one of the Valentine’s Day Getaways in India.
Characterized by a temperate climate and clear blue waters, Puducherry has been the French Riviera of the East. Previously a French colony, it has till date retained the distinct flavour of the European architecture, attitude and people.
The 4 beaches at Pondicherry, the Promenade Beach, Auroville Beach, Paradise Beach, and Serenity Beach would make your Valentine’s Day just perfect. You can go for a evening walk along the promenade running parallel to the Promenade beach or spend a quiet, romantic outing at the Paradise and Serenity beaches which are popular for its are serene; and if you are looking forward towards spending a lazy day, then Virgin beaches are the places for you!
Another very popular spot is Chunnambar that is located at a distance of 8 km from Pondicherry, near the Cuddalore Main Road. This tropical delight is bordered by a beach on one side and the quiet creek on the other. You can put up a tent on the sands, by the seaside, just for two of you, or stay in the tree houses to connect with the beautiful nature.
Arikamedu, located at a distance of 4 km to the south of Puducherry on the banks of Ariyankuppam River, is a town more popular among the lovers. How about spending a day with your partner amidst the rich history of the region dating back to hundreds of years?
Also called as the Spice Coast of India, Kerala in the earlier times played the host to many readers and travelers from across the world. Whether you look for pristine beaches or tall mountains, magical backwaters or the deep valleys and river rides, you would get it all in Kerala.
Kerala has always been a popular and favorite destination in India, especially among the couples. Whether you are a newly married couple looking to go for a honeymoon tour or simply a couple in love, looking forward to celebrate the Valentine’s Day, Kerala is the place for you! There are so many techniques and options in Kerala to make that special person in your life, feel even more special. Go for a romantic boat ride along the magical backwaters or take your better half for a relaxing massage experience at the Ayurvedic parlors;
Andaman Islands
Definitely a tropical paradise, Andaman is surely about white sands and blue, clear waters. The swaying palm trees and the romantic sea breeze will take you to a completely different world!
While in Andaman and Nicobar, there are so many activities that would delight you. Go for island-hopping that is considered as one of the popular a sought after activities in the region. Enjoy a boat ride near the archipelago or beach bumming on Jolly Buoy, Havelock, Viper, Cinque, Ross and Chatham Island. You also get the opportunity to have a look from a boat, at the only live volcano on the Barren Island. The famous and romantic beaches in the region are Vijaynagar, Radhanagar beaches in Havelock. Great Valentine getaways for the lovers consist of Neil Island where one can travel around the lush jungle walk down the pristine beaches such as Bharatpur, Laxmanpur and Sitapur. The sandy beach located at Lalaji Bay comes with a unpolluted and excellent environment along with the evergreen forests. The sea around this island is home to many dolphins. You can have fun at the sight of the frolic activities of the dolphins that can be seen by taking a small boat ride. Those who love water sports such as jet-skiing, speed-boating and skurfing etc, Diglipur beach is the place for you! The main feature of this beach that is responsible for its popularity is the high breakers. Lovers with a fondness for fitness might think for going on a hiking trip to the Saddle Peak characterized by trekking paths and nature trails.
Mussoorie
Located at an altitude of 2003 m above sea level Mussoorie is in the Garhwal region in Uttaranchal. The hill station has derived its name from ‘Mansoor’, the local plant, which grows in abundance, in the region. Mussoorie has been the all time favourite destination for the holiday makers, honeymoon couples or leisure travelers. Clean roads, pleasant and comfortable weather conditions, beautiful sights, colonial structures and ‘love in the air’- these characterizes this captivating hill station in India.
While in Mussoorie with that special person in your life, you can enjoy a visit at the Mall, Landour, Bhadraj Temple, Clouds End, Happy Valley, Childer’s Lodge, Gun Hill, Municipal Garden, Jharipani Falls, Camel’s Back Road, Mossey Falls, Bhatta Falls and Kempty Falls. You can also take delight of the nearby places from Mussoorie such as Jwalaji Temple, Dhanaulti, Mussoorie Lake, Nag Devta Temple, Surkanda Devi Temple, Nag Tibba andVan Chetna Kendra.
There are ample opportunities for the couples to take pleasure in the adventure sports such as hiking, trekking and rock climbing. Go out shopping for the beautiful handicraft items like the hand-knit cardigans, cane objects and walking sticks that would remind you of the time spent with your dear one.
Ooty
Ooty is a beautiful place to be in! Popularly known as the ‘Queen of Hill Stations’, Ooty is located at an elevation of about 2240 m from above the sea level. Pristine beauty, clear skies, lush greenery, cascading waterfalls and curvy hill trails, options of getting captivated in Ooty is numerous.
This Valentine, come and explore Ooty, to feel the amazing beauty of this wonderful hill station in India. Visit places such as the Botanical Lake, Deer Park, Dodabetta Peak, Charring Cross, Kodanadu’s View Point, Government Museum, St. Stephen’s Church, Mini Garden, Ootacumund Club, Lamb’s Rock, Ooty Lake and Rose Garden, Coonoor, Dolphin’s Nose, Avalanche, Kalhatty Waterfalls, Mukerti Lake, Mukkurthi Peak, Kotagiri, Madumalai Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park, Pykara, Sim’s Park and Tiger Hill.
If this isn’t enough for you, then you have more. Indulge with your loved ones in adventurous and fun sports such as Hang-Gliding, Angling and Trekking etc. You can also go for shopping whereby you can check out the natural products such as the Nilgiri tea, Toda embroideries, natural oils, local fruits and saplings of plants. Some of the popular markets in Ooty are the Municipal Market Kairali, Co-operative Super Market and Poompuhar located on the Charring Street.
Dehradun
Serving as a gateway to many popular destinations in India such as Haridwar, Gangotri, Yamunotri, Rishikesh, Kedarnath, Badrinath, etc, Dehradun itself is also a dream destination for many. Located amidst the majestic Himalayas, the Shivaliks, Yamuna and the Ganges, Dehradun is indeed a beautiful place to be in!
Dalhousie
Carrying a sense of enchantment with it, Dalhousie has been a quiet town in the state of Himachal Pradesh. This beautiful hill station is spread across 5 low-level hills near the western edge of the Dhauladhars, in the east of River Ravi. The slopes in the region are covered with pines and intersected treks and paths that are just perfect for an undemanding walk. Low roofed hotels and stalls and colonial era buildings find place here at Dalhousie.
Serving as the gateway to the famous Chamba Valley, this popular hill station and colonial town in Himachal Pradesh was brought to existence in the year 1854 by Lord Dalhousie, the British governor-general. Sprawling over an area of about 14 square km and covered with alpine vegetation, Dalhausie comes with a charming architecture and mesmerizing views of both the snowcapped mountains as well the beautiful plains. Jandhri Ghat, Satdhara, Subhash Baoli, The Catholic Church Of St. Francis etc are among the popular places of visit in the region.
Gulmarg
Gulmarg can be yet another beautiful Valentine’s Day getaway in India characterized by cup shaped meadows and lush slopes drawn into immense silence and serenity! Standing at an elevation of about 2730 meters and located 56km in the southwest of Srinagar, the Gulmarg Valley is flanked with gorgeous colorful flowers such as Bluebells, Forget Me Not’s, Daisies and Buttercups. You can either go for a day trip to Gulmarg from Srinagar or use it as a base if you want to go for trekking.
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