December 6th, 2017 by Charvee Sharma

It’s that time of the year again, festive moods, happy spirits, cafe hopping accompanied by loads of last minute shopping! Whether you are planning to ring the bells this Christmas on a faraway island or a quick weekend drive to the nearest hill station, we’ve got it all covered for you.

Shillong, Meghalaya

An oasis of calm in the lush of Garo-Khasi hills, the capital city of Shillong is Instagram-perfect.

At a distance of 12 kms from the capital, Elephant Falls offer a captivating sight over the gushing streams. The loud, buzzing Lewdeh Market, spread over a criss-cross network of narrow lanes has to be the premier location to experience the real authentic culture and flavors of Shillong.

Shillong stands sweetly exposed to the latest café culture, with a variety of options to sit back and enjoy the slow rhythm of life in the hills.

Allow yourself the pleasure of a detour, a twenty minute drive to the lesser known Laitlum Canyons, perched in the Khasi Hills will be an experience for life. An undiscovered, yet sublime hilltops with gurgling streams and the unforgettable views, Laitlum shall stand etched in anyone’s memory.

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Darjeeling, West Bengal

Think of stunning snow clad Kanchenjunga overlooking beautiful tea estates on slopes of rolling hills, orchards and bird-songs, think of the quintessential town of Darjeeling.

Easily accessible by road, Tiger Hill offers panoramic views of the Kanchenjunga at sunrise.

Standing calmly atop a hill, Peace Pagoda and Japanese temple are the perfect places for some quiet moments amidst the hills. With beautiful artwork showcasing the life of Buddha and the rhythm of the drum reverberating across the premise, visiting this place will be an enthralling experience.

Located in the heart of the city, Chowrasta or The Mall is the best place to hang around and soak in the vibe of the place. With several shops selling handicrafts and accessories huddled around pine forests and the sight of mountains, spending a day here is a must. A little uphill walk from The Mall is sweetly rewarding with amusing views of the valley from the Observatory Hill.

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Lansdowne, Uttarakhand

Far away from commercialization, the unspool town of Lansdowne is quietly situated amongst dense forests of oak in the Pari-Garhwal district of Uttarakhand. With pristine environment and benign weather, a quick vacation at this hill station will truly be an enriching experience.

One can enjoy some family time with boating and picnic at Bulla Lake. Enchanting views of the Shivalik range can be viewed from a small viewpoint of Tip n Top.

A relatively undiscovered area, a long walk in the woods along with bird watching would be ideal to soak in the captivating beauty of the place.

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Jaisalmer, Rajasthan    

              

Amidst endless stretches of sand in the golden Thar desert, the majestic city of Jaisalmer feels like straight out of the Arabian Nights fable!

Visit the spectacular Sonar Qilla, located in the very heart of the city to discover the homes and havelis where people live their lives just as they used to for centuries. The narrow lanes alongside shops brimming with antiquities are a delight for any photographer.

Absorb the changing hues of ochre with the sunset or spot rare migratory birds whilst sitting on the ghats of Gadisar Lake. Camp out in the open to sleep in the shade of twinkling stars with music in the air.  In the middle of the sand dunes, with the backdrop of colourful pagdis and cheerful chatter, it’s okay to lose track of time only to sit and absorb colors of the sky around sunset.

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Daman & Diu

Located on the west coast amidst an enthralling landscape, the exotic city of Daman is a sheer delight. Flanked by old houses and quaint tree lined avenues, a leisure walk to the Church of Bom Jesus is ideal for pleasant sunny day.

A boat ride between Nani Daman and Moti Daman at the golden hour will definitely be a magical experience to cherish. A perfect getaway from the dry state of Gujarat, the golden sands of Jampore beach are lively with exquisite seafood and other cuisines. The swankier cousin of Daman, the charming beaches of Diu play the perfect symphonies of the sun and the sea.

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About Charvee Sharma

Born in a big city, Charvee finds her heart in small towns. A free spirit, who loves to wander places in search of stories, within stories. At the end of a long day, she finds her therapy in long aimless walks and conversations, with the Moon.