Looking for travel inspiration this Valentine's Day? We have you covered

This year Valentine's Day falls on a Sunday and presents the perfect excuse for a short getaway. We bring you some suggestions and inspirations for that perfect weekend.

Vineyard Tours

The first thing vineyards promise is space; exclusivity is the other. Mostly located a little off the city center and among vast open spaces, vineyards make for a great choice for a weekend celebrating romance. Incidentally, India is now home to multiple vineyards that also offer tours of the winery along with wine tasting sessions, exquisite dining experiences and luxurious boarding options. Spread around cities of Bangalore, Nashik, and Pune, these places promise great weather and are perfect spots for a short break. Among those that offer tours are Sula Vineyards in Nashik, Grover Zampa Vineyards, on the foothills of the Nandi Hills, in Bangalore and the Four Seasons Vineyard, located in Baramati, off the Western Ghats.

Heritage Towns

As unlike a valentine getaway as it may sound, heritage towns across India are great for any short break. Centers for culture, food, and spirituality, with unmatchable colour and energy, they present a nice break from the typical romantic getaways. This year it may be a good idea to spend a few days exploring romantic ruins of the past and colourful murals of the present. Most heritage towns across India are now home to plush hotels and scenic resorts and are at a convenient drive from major cities. Mysore from Bangalore, Madurai from Chennai, Jodhpur from Delhi, and Bolpur from Calcutta are some great options for a cultural getaway this Valentine’s.

Mountain Hamlets

Hill stations are passé; they are also crowded and pressed for resources. At a time when sustainability and responsible travel is the need of the hour, it is advisable to be careful while choosing your destination on the hills. But, worry not, India is home to many picturesque hamlets—from the hills of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh to the slopes of North Eastern states to the tea estates of the Nilgiris and the towns in Western Ghats—and you can choose small towns away from touristy crowds to celebrate the day of love (even a week we’d say!). Wellington from Chennai, Andretta from Delhi, Kurseong from Calcutta, and Araku Valley from Hyderabad are some places that offer great views and good places to stay.

Wildlife Sanctuaries

There is no place to unwind quite like a wildlife sanctuary. Away from the noise of the cities, often with no mobile signals, TVs or Internet, these are best places to spend a quiet weekend celebrating your day of love – or anything at all. Long winding hikes, picnics in the sun, trekking to waterfalls, and never ending safaris in these parks are as enriching as they are refreshing. With wildlife parks open again, each with great options of boarding and lodging, you can pick from places like Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhaya Pradesh, Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand, Bandipur National Park in Karnataka and Sundarbans National Park in West Bengal.

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