Yahoo News 5 places to visit from Delhi (without getting on a flight)
With the weekend coming up, here's where you can go in a car or on a bike
It has been six months since the lockdown began. For half a year most of us have confined ourselves to our homes, restricting the number of times we go out. Dining out, airline travel and hotel stays have become a strict no-no. But as parts of our country open up, we are bound to want to head out, not so much to fulfil our wanderlust but, really, simply to get out of our homes. Even as flights have resumed on several routes, it’s safe to say that the best way to get around is in the cocoon of your private vehicle. With that in mind, we thought it may be a good idea to suggest these give places to visit from Delhi (without getting on a flight).
1. Lansdowne
Hugged by dense oak and blue pine forests, Lansdowne has been a popular getaway for city-dwellers right from the days of the British Raj. The quaint churches, the local markets and the overall small-town air, lends Lansdowne a charm that isn’t easy to find. Lansdowne is about 245 km from Delhi, making it an easy getaway from the maddening crowds.
2. Dehradun
If Lansdowne is too small a town for you, Dehradun is a great alternative. The glittering jewel of the Himalayan ranges, Dehradun is perched at 435 m and, as the capital of Uttarakhand, comes with some creature comforts that you may not want to sacrifice. All you need do is check into a great hotel and watch the scenery around you change with every hour.
3. Rishikesh
Make the most of Uttarakhand’s lifting of the lockdown curbs and head over to Rishikesh. The gateway to the Gharwal Himalayas is also known as the yoga capital of the world. As with every other place on this list, you needn’t do much here (and indeed the idea is to not step out into public places a lot anyway) but just enjoy the serenity that Rishikesh offers you.
4. Neemrana
Located in the Alwar district of Rajasthan, Neemrana is a historical town that’s merely a three-hour drive from Delhi. Known as the gateway to the desert state, Neemrana is also known for its famous fort that’s now been converted into a heritage hotel. Do you need anything else to isolate yourself during these times?
5. Mandawa
Located in the heart of the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan, Mandawa is off the beaten tourist trail of Jaipur-Jodhpur-Jaisalmer. The 18th century town once stood on the edge of the silk route and was home to wealthy Rajput merchant families. When the old trade route fell into decay, thanks to the new sea routes that opened up, Mandawa lost its position of prominence. The rich merchant families migrated to Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai but left behind some of the most stunning havelis at the hands of their caretakers. Several of these havelis are breathtakingly beautiful even in their state of disrepair.
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5 places to visit without getting on a flight:
