2023 Long Weekend Plans : 11 Offbeat Destinations You Must Visit

Yep. Yep. Yep. We know Himachal Pradesh is all about snow-capped mountains, pristine valleys and treks. However, did you know there's a little hamlet called Andretta, which is literally an artist's paradise? Just an hour's drive from Bir, the paragliding capital of India, Andretta has been a magnet for many creative practitioners, artists and painters, and potters.

Historic Fun Fact: It was established back in the 1920s by an Irish theatre artist Norah Richards.

What's In For You: Sign up for a pottery class in Andretta Pottery and Craft Society, scroll through famous artist Sobha Singh's art gallery, pay a visit to Norah Richard's house, and take the Thampsar trek.   

So, next time you're visiting Himachal, make sure you tick this hamlet off your list. 

Udipi is a coastal town in Karnataka, surrounded by several beaches and temples. Built in 1901 by the British, the 130-foot-high lighthouse makes for a well-known landmark. It is situated at Kapu Beach, which is considered to be the most popular amongst tourists. Apart from that, the Malpe Beach, Kodi Beach, Hoode beach, St. Mary's Island, Maravanthe Beach, Mattu Beach, Pithrody Udyavara Beach and Padubidri Beach are some of the must-visit Udipi beaches.

What's In For You: Relax at the unexplored beaches, and enjoy the exquisite seafood!

Water babies, did you know about this beach town in Tamil Nadu, which is also called as the 'land of singing waves'? Tharangambadi is derived from a Tamil word, which literally means that. Get mesmerised by the soothing, rhythmic waves that hit the shores of this coastal town.

What's In For You: Visit the Danish Fort (which is right on the seashore), take a walk in the heritage-rich Danish colony, stop by the New Jerusalem Church, turn the history pages at the Maritime Museum or simply chat with the locals or fishermen community.   

#ProTip: Plan a visit to this town when you next make a plan to Pondy (here's a cool guide). It's roughly 120 km from Pondicherry!

Arittapatti was recently declared as the Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS) by the Tamil Nadu government. This serene village is located just 25 km from Madurai. Arittapatti is covered with natural springs, ancient Brahmi stones, Shaivite temples dating back to the eighth century, 250 species of birds, and 200-year-old rock-cut temples. Due to these the village has historical significance.

What's In For You: If you're up for slow travel, Arittapatti will surprise you with this calm water springs, the sing of several birds and the lap of nature. You can head to the huge rock formations to find Tamil inscriptions and Jain beds.

Home to the country's first Marine National Park, Narara Island (near Jamnagar) is tucked away in the eastern region of Runn Of Kutch. The beauty of this island is that you can explore the coral reefs and marine life without actually diving into the sea. One just has to walk in the water and when the tide ebbs, (in about 1 to 2 feet of water) you can watch the fascinating underwater world of corals. The island boasts of exotic sea life and creatures including octopus, pufferfish, starfish, crabs, sea anemone, exotic species of birds and coral reefs as well. You can opt for a coral walk, which is approximately 2 km; and to be on the safe side, you can simply hire a tour guide (they charge approximately INR 300 to INR 400).

So, if you're planning a trip to Gujarat, preferably towards the Jamnagar side of the state, this island comes highly recommended. It's a 50 km drive from Jamnagar. 

What's In For You: A coral walk, exotic sightseeing, explore the Lakhota beach and fort. 

Note: Prior permission needs to be taken from the forest authorities before you drive to this place and the best time to visit this island is during the morning. 

Rann Utsav, also known as the Tent City, is an annual celebration of food, culture, and the phases of the moon at the Rann of Kutch. This time it has already began from the 26 October and will go on till 20 February. It's a colourful affair, with food stalls, markets and activity spots lined up. Bringing in the Gujarati and Marwari flavours, you can spend a few days at this fair.

What's In For You: Eat, shop, play at the festival. You can also try dessert safari and cross it off your bucket list. Plus, you get a glamping experience. We've experienced it, and it's surreal! They even have Darbari and Rajwadi suites if you like royal treatment.

Nestled quietly in the lanes of Uttar Pradesh, roughly 10–15 km from Varanasi, resides a hidden gem. In fact, this is the place where Lord Buddha began teaching his followers for the first time and, hence, is considered as one of the holiest Buddhist sites in the world. Today, Sarnath is home to a number of Buddhist monasteries, which were established by a number of Buddhist-dominant countries, including Tibet, Sri Lanka, Thailand or Myanmar.  

So, when booking your tickets to Varanasi, make sure you drive to this site as well. 

What's In For You: Go stupa or temple hopping (there are tons that are rich in architecture and history), of course, The Ashoka Pillar, visit the Archaeological Museum, take a walk in Deer Park or simply sit and chill at the Garden Of Spiritual Wisdom.

There's also a Bodhi Tree, which is an offshoot of the tree in Bodhgaya (where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment).

If the Northeast is on your bucket list, then Assam has tons and tons of options for you. While everyone knows about Guwahati, Majuli is little known, which is also the world's largest river island. Nestled on the banks of Brahmaputra river, this island hamlet is ideal for nature lovers as it's covered with lush greenery, surrounded by water bodies and is pollution-free, as it's not that accessible by road and railways, ferries and boats are the most viable mode of transport there. 

What's In For You: Start your day at Garmur (one of the holiest site which boasts of literary writings and cultural artefacts), visit Tengapania (Assam's Golden Temple), take a peaceful walk by the river, Molai forest reserve. 

#ProTip: Along with Majuli, there's also Sualkuchi which caught our attention. It's the weaving village of Assam and is popularly referred to as Manchester of the East. Although its a good 10 hour drive from Majuli, you can fit this in your travel plan.      

Also, check out these stunning waterfalls in the North East! Or these wildlife sanctuaries in West Bengal!

Called the 'The Gateway To Ladakh' and nestled at a height of 10,800 feet above the sea level, Dras is considered to be the coldest place in India (and second in the world). The temperatures drop to -22 degree Celsius. Surrounded by mountains, Dras has got multiple adventurous trekking routes, which makes it a popular hub for trekkers and adventure geeks. Dras is also home to the Dras War Memoria, which was built by the Indian Army in memory of the brave soldiers who fought the Kargil War in 1999.      

What's In For You: Go for a two-day trek to Saliskot or take the popular Amarnath trek, visit the Nigoor Masjid, get 'gramming at Minamarg (a pristine valley) and Machoi glaciers. 

After exploring this amazing destination you can head to Leh!

Ziro Valley has been my personal dream destination since I saw the endless green pasture towered by the Himalayas. The town is inhabited by the Apatani tribe and is Arunachal Pradesh's best-kept secret. The terraced rice fields, which is the cultivation land of the Ziro residents, comes under UNESCO's world heritage sites for its picturesque beauty.

What's In For You: If you're visiting in the summer months, you can take a tour of the cultivation activities—from wet paddy cultivation to Jhum cultivation. If you visit in September, you can attend the Ziro music festival.

The God-gifted land between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea is the mesmerising Kokan area. You'll be surprised at the beauty this combination of hills and beaches holds. If you're looking to spend your time in the lap of nature and in the cool breeze of the sea, you must set out on the Konkan Darshan tour, which stretches from Mumbai up to Goa. The main attractions on this journey are Ganpatipule Diveagar Beach, Nagaon Beach, Shivardhan Beach, Deogad Beach and more. You can also make a stop at the Vijay Durga Fort and Deogad Kunkeshwar.

What's In For You: You can scuba dive in Malvan, and there are various other water sports in Tarkarli.