Taki in the north 24 Parganas is another very interesting place to be for a weekend escape. Sitting close to the India-Bangladesh border, you can actually take a boat ride right up to the intangible border over Ichhamati River. Alternatively, take a short boat ride to the birdwatcher’s paradise, Kingfisher Island. A must visit when in Taki is, of course, the mini Sundarbans (aka Golpatar Forest). Remember to carry your ID proofs to enter this protected and unique forest lined with sundari and golpata trees. Other places you should check out is the 300-year-old the Jora Shiv Mandir and the Kuleshwari Kali Temple.