Staycations are in vogue post-pandemic as Indians prefer domestic travel. Dinesh Kumar Kotha shares five perfect places to make your plan a reality

Last year, the pandemic-induced lockdown across the world delayed numerous travel plans. With a high risk of infection surrounding us, people were confined to their homes for the longest time. But as things have started to take pace in 2021, more and more people are packing their bags to resume their travel plans. However, with several countries still showing their door to the outside world, it is domestic travel that is booming like never before with an extra push towards staycations.

Indians are increasingly heading towards off-beat locations to stay at prominent or luxury properties that offer staycation packages, allowing them to relax, rewind, and refresh in a home away from home environment. Such trips are easy on the wallet (as compared to an international getaway) and allow you to be a tourist in your home country. If you are in dire need of some downtime, just pack your bags and book a week-long siesta at properties in any of the below-mentioned destinations:

Goa

Making a Goa plan with your friends or your loved ones adds a different fun to travel. The beaches of the state, each having its own identity, is what attracts tourists from all over the globe. Usually, the beaches in the South are quieter than those located in the North. If you are a party animal, you know where to head to. If you want a distraction from the beaches, temples and wildlife sanctuaries will happily do the job. Goa is filled with beautiful hotels and ghats where you can spend your entire trip lazing with your loved ones. To satisfy a foodie in you, their local food is a must-try, which is a mixture of Portuguese and Indian backgrounds. It will surely give a twist to your taste buds. In short, Goa promises to deliver a blissful experience to every traveller who steps foot inside its territory. It is well accessible by train, bus and flight. The journey to Goa is most scenic by train.

Amritsar

The city of rich culture and traditions always welcome travellers with open arms. The moment you enter Amritsar, you can smell food cooking in open kitchens and the melody of devotional music soothing your earbuds. Amritsar is blessed with magnificent sites such as Wagah border, Jallianwala Bagh and more, which rewinds our history and are a treat to look at. Finally, how can we forget the local Punjabi food? In every street of this city, you will find hundreds of food corners waiting to please your taste buds. The city is also packed with fabulous hotels to help you relax and recharge for the next day. Amritsar, too, is well accessible by train, bus and flight.

Ooty

If you want to experience cold weather, a quiet environment and bewitching grasslands, then Ooty is the place for you. Surrounded by magnificent waterfalls and amazing colonial architecture, this small gem in Tamil Nadu delivers a lively experience to travellers planning to stay for a couple of days. You can find plenty of mesmerising sites such as Avalanche Lake, Kalhatty Waterfalls, Deer Park and more that serve as the perfect excuse to relax your worries. Ooty also houses the Nilgiri mountain railway where the song Chaiyya Chaiyya was shot. For all the Shahrukh Khan fans out there, here is another reason to visit this beautiful hill station. It is accessible by train and bus. Tip: Never miss a train journey in the Nilgiri ranges.

Pondicherry

Also known as Puducherry, this UT of India is a dreamy escape for a traveller from the hustle and bustle of city life. All the hotels, shops and restaurants in Pondicherry sell an amazing vision of French aesthetics, magnified by the Indian designers and artists. Places like Botanical Gardens, Sri Aurobindo Ashram and Auroville can relax your soul and make you cherish the Indian culture differently. You can also find plenty of beaches there that serve as the hot spot for activities like surfing, scuba diving, parties and more. Pondycherry is well accessible by train and bus from Chennai.

Tirupati

If you are tired of attending parties and want a spiritual break, Tirupati is the place to head to. Best known for the Lord Venkateswara Temple, lakhs of tourists visit this place every year to praise its architecture and take blessings from the almighty Venkateshwara. You can also find the archaeological museum that displays an extensive collection of Hindu gods, allowing tourists to capture the Indian culture from the first seat. Besides these, Tirupati is blessed with several waterfalls, hills and greenery, which delights a nature lover in every manner. Tirupati is well accessible by train, bus and flight.

So, what are you waiting for? Book your tickets to any of the above destinations and enjoy the much-needed break with your friends and family.

(The writer is the co-founder and CEO of Confirmtkt.)