The lockdown have surely left you bored! We never could have imagined staying at home could be this difficult. Do you think your family needs a weekend getaway to get life back on track? Then you are at the right place! But after the lockdown a alot of our travelling habits needs to change, for the betterment of both yourself and the society as a whole. I have listed 5 weekend getaways around Kolkata perfect for a one day long drive or an overnight halt! So let's get going.
1) Mandarmani
What it offers?
Mandarmani is a beach side resort village in West-bengal. This place offers serene natural beauty and also tons of adventure sports. The flat beaches and the calm seas never disappoints a visitor. The place is filled with many luxurious resorts and some of the best couple friendly hotels in Kolkata's vicinity and of course the beaches are huge. And the best part is that the place is very scarcely populated! You can spend a spend some quiet time with your family or partner on some of the best couple friendly hotels in Kolkata's vicinity. It is also perhaps the longest motor-able beach in India, so do drive there with your car.
How far is it?
Madarmani is about a 4 hours drive from Kolkata(170 kms) .The nearest Railway station to Mandarmani is Digha. But its always preferable to go there by a car.
2) Iskcon Mayapur
What it offers?
Mayapur is located in the middle of the rivers Hoogly and Jalangi and is one of the 9 islands of the Chaitanya's Nawadip dham. Considered one of the holiest places in entire India, Mayapur Chandrodaya Temple of ISKCON is the reason why thousands of devotees from the entire world come to this holy land. Inside the temple, you can see the magnificent deities of Pancatattva, Lord Nrisingha Dev, Srila Prabhupada and Radha-Madhav with the Gopis. This is a place of devotion and peace. The place also offers some of the best couple friendly hotels in Kolkata's vicinity.
How far is it?
It is situated around 130 km from kolkata and is well connected by roads and rail both. But always try to travel with a private vehicle, book room in advance and always keep yourself sanitized.
3) Sundarbans
What it offers?
The Sundarbans is called so because the mangrove plants known as Sundari (Heritiera Minor)is the most dominant Flora of the region. Sundarbans is a part of the world's largest delta, the rivers Ganga, Brahmaputra and Meghna trisect to form the delta. The Sundarbans is a maze of hundreds of creeks and ravines. It is truly one of the most beautiful and alluring places on earth. This mangrove delta is the largest halophytic mangrove forests in the world. It spans a area covering 4264 sq. km in India alone. It is also the largest Tiger Reserve and National Park and the home to the mighty Royal Bengal Tiger. The small islands of mangrove forests and mudflats makes it a perfect habitat for ferocious predators like the Royal Bengal Tiger and Mugger Crocodile. The crisscrossing waterways can be traversed by boats or rafts, which is an adventure itself. The place also offers a varieties of exotic couple friendly hotels in Kolkata's vicinity.
How far is it?
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is located about 110 km from Kolkata. Is accessible on Road and Waterway from Kolkata.
4) Henry's Island
What it offers?
This enchanting island offers some surreal scenic beauty and is very less explored. Take long lazy strolls with your family or partner on the beach and enjoy the beautiful sunset on the ocean horizon and watch the fishing boats sailing in the ocean dancing with the waves. The watchtower in the island gives you a complete panoramic view of the island and also has a restaurant attached to it. If you and your family are fond of fresh fishes, you can also buy the fresh catch from the fishermen at very cheap prices. The Henry’s Island is also a bird watching site. Some of the birds that can be easily sighted there are the whistling ducks, streak-throated woodpecker, black-rumped flameback, kingfisher, common snipe, red knot and others. The place also offers some of the most romantic Hotels for unmarried couple in Kolkata's vicinity. A perfect weekend getaway.
How far is it?
Henry’s Island is about 140 kms from Kolkata. Its located very close to Bakkhali (another beautiful but populated sea beach). It is accessible both by road and sea. The boat ride to Henry,s Island by sea is very thrilling and is a must try for young couples!
5) Mukutmanipur
What it offers?
'Serenity of nature and human architecture at its best' is what describes a place like Mukutmanipur - the second largest earthen dam in India . A weekend here guarantees relaxation and peace from the hectic city life and the constant automobile horns are replaced by the sweet chirping of birds your eyes have never gazed upon. Surrounded by small hillocks, serene green forests and beautiful blue lagoons.With hillocks and forest trees surrounding the huge dam changing its color in different seasons, Mukutmanipur is the right place for those who are looking for some adventure coupled with complete relaxation. Apart from the serene beauty this dam also serves the purpose of irrigating atleast 8000 sq kms of farm land in the districts of Midnapore (West), Purulia and Bankura.
How far is it?
About a 6 hour drive from the heart of the city, Mukutmanipur is connected via road and train. But going there down the road gives the option of spending a couple of hours to rest on some of the most luxurious hotels for unmarried couples in Kolkata's Highways.
Travelling Tip:
The places mentioned in this article are not very popular but serene and very enjoyable. A weekend getaway in any of these places will never disappoint you but make sure you book rooms in advance and also opt for hotels on hourly basis. Also try to travel by your own car or on rented cars when travelling with your family.