A break from the urban revelries or diving headfirst into the festivities, December is a season when the travel bug wakes most people out of their slumber. It’s the time to experience the winter chill and soak in some good cheer.
The well-heeled travellers of Vizag want to be anywhere but home to welcome the New Year. While many have meticulously chalked out plans for year-end vacations, some are seeking to explore places beyond the usual choices.
To say that Goa remains the top destination for the December travel season will be like stating the obvious. And yet, it’s hard to find another destination that matches up to the craze of Goa during this time of the year. “Goa has the complete package – you can be a part of the mad parties by the beachside or simply laze around the beaches sipping a drink – this is one place that has something to offer for all kinds of travellers,” says Pratibha Vaddiraju, an IT professional, who has made her Goa plans with family during Christmas.
A survey done by Hotels.com underlines this yearend travel trend. It reveals that over 65 per cent of Indian travellers are planning to pack their bags to travel abroad for a traditional yuletide experience and 75 per cent have planned weekend getaways for Christmas this year.
Gaurav Gupta has made his plans to head to Raichak to welcome the New Year. Raichak is a small town in West Bengal, located on the bank of the Hooghly river, some 50 km south of Kolkata. “Our idea is to spend the time in a quiet and different place away from the city grind,” says Gaurav, who is heading from Vizag to this small and beautiful tourist town. Raichuk is surrounded by a canopy of trees and offers views of the river with rows of country boats sailing by. A beautiful 18th century fort is testimony to the town’s history.
For the ones who couldn’t make an elaborate travel plan for the yearend have come up with their own ideas to ensure that they don’t miss the chance to wind up the year in style. Manisha Verma with her husband Anil and son Dhruv is heading to the ‘coldest’ place in Andhra – Lambasingi. “The whole world is enjoying the Christmas season in the chill and snow. This is a season that is best enjoyed with a bonfire in the wintery fog and chill. We can’t find that in coastal cities like Vizag. So we are creating our own winter vacation in Lambasingi. It is an ideal impromptu vacation, not far from the city, where we can avoid the year-end rush of typical tourist places,” says the Verma family, who has packed two sets of tents for the tour.
If coffee trails, cycling routes, brilliant sunsets and a slice of solitude are what you desire, then Coorg in Karnataka is an ideal place where you can sink in with the languid flow of nature. Located at a distance of over 200 kms from Bangalore, Coorg with its rich greenery attracts many families. Vikram Penmetsa, a chartered accountant, drove all the way from Vizag to Bangalore this week for a get-together after 20 years with his CA friends . “You can relax here and enjoy nature. One of our friends came from Australia and we all relived the old memories,” says Vikram.
International spots
December is the perfect time to dust off your passport and rejoice in style. Europe may be a tad too freezing during this time of the year, but the Christmas revelry is unmatched. The Christkindlmarket in Nuremberg, Germany, is believed to date back to the 1600s and is a must-visit during Christmas. It is said that the original purpose of the this Christmas market was to stock up for the long winter, and add a bit of light to the dark months.
The twinkling lights of Christmas stretched across the streets of Prague’s Old Town Square in Czech Republic with its freshly barbequed meats and baked pastries is as enticing as the lighted angels.
The ones who yearn for a warmer vacation, South Africa with its scenic coastal drives, vineyards and wildlife game reserves offers a complete package. Due to its easy connectivity, lesser flight duration and an ideal climate, South Africa has been attracting travellers from India.
It has also become a hit with many honeymoon couples who are seeking a different experience away from the usual Southeast Asia and Europe tours. However, December-January is a season when accommodation in tourist areas and national parks is heavily booked, and prices can more than double.
If you visit Cape Town, the Garden Route or other popular areas during this time, it’s essential to book accommodation in advance.
For a quintessential experience of Australia, there are few better times of the year to be in the country. The sun is out and it’s a warm holiday season. The highlight is Sydney’s magnificent New Year’s Eve celebration.
Tourist places that made it big this year
Varkala, Kerala
Hampi, Karnataka
Chopta, Uttarakhand
Swamimalai, Tamil Nadu
Velneshwar Beach, Maharashtra
Orchha, Madhya Pradesh
Moorang, Himachal Pradesh
