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Travel: Top 9 destinations to head to this weekend
With a long weekend coming up, Travelocity India picks the top nine destinations to head to.
The month couldn't get better -- an India-Pakistan match and two long weekends!
So it seems like a great time to pack your bags and unwind!
Travelocity India, suggests some of the most favoured destinations for these weekends:
Goa
Goa, the smallest state in the vast Indian republic, is also one of the prettiest.
From time immemorial, Goa has attracted visitors and all have been impressed by the wealth of experiences that Goa offers; rivers and beaches, evergreen hills, rich flora and wildlife, fabulous food and a history of Portuguese colonial rule that has its distinct impact on culture and architecture and above all, the essence of something special that words cannot describe.
Time to get some sun and fun .
Mahableshwar/Panchgani
Twin cities nestling together Mahableshwar was established as a health resort in 1829 and is an evergreen vast plateau with long beautiful roads, horse rides and pavements along the forest.
Panchgani derives its name from the five hills around it. It is just 38 m below Mahabaleshwar.
But these 38 m translates into a breathtaking 20 kms approach from Mahabaleshwar that swoops around bends with abandon, offering heart stopping views of the river Krishna on one side and the coastal plains on the other.
Panchgani is the quintessential hill station, with the Raj stamped indelibly all over it.
Amble along the walkways, thickly canopied by lush trees and vegetation and delights in the secrets you come upon.
One of the rare places that doesn't crowd anyone, yet in its unique unhurried way deeply touches every visitor.
Mussoorie
The name, Mussoorie is derived from plants of 'Mussoorie', which were found in abundance here.
It is situated at an altitude of 2003 m above sea level in the Garhwal Hills.
Mussoorie is one the beautiful hill stations in India and also the most frequently visited.
It offers a wonderful view of the Himalayan snow ranges to the northeast and the Doon Valley, Roorkee, Saharanpur and Haridwar to the South, creating an almost serene atmosphere.
Mussoorie was discovered by Captain Young, an adventurous military officer in 1827. He was lured by the extraordinarily beautiful ridge and laid the foundation of it. Mussoorie is also a Gateway to the Gangotri and the Yamunotri shrines.
Corbett
Corbett National Park lies in two districts -- Nainital and Pauri -- in the hill state of Uttaranchal in northern India.
It covers an area of 521 sq km and together with the neighbouring Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary and Reserve Forest areas, forms the Corbett Tiger Reserve over 1288 sq km. Make a classic story of your romance.
The most famous of Corbett's wild residents are the Bengal Tiger and the Asiatic Elephant, but with about 600 species of avifauna Corbett is one of the richest bird regions of India.
Yercaud
The town gets its name from the lake located at its centre - in Tamil 'Yeri' means 'lake' and 'Kaadu' means 'forest'. Yercaud is known for coffee plantations and orange groves. It is at an altitude of 1,500 metres (4,920 feet) from mean sea level.
Some of the original forests continue to exist in the Yercaud hills and contain several widespread species of plants and fauna. It also has an Orchidarium run by the Botanical Survey of India which is worth visiting.
Coorg
Coorg or Kodagu means 'dense forest on steep hill'.
This town has a lot to offer to the tourist. Misty hills, lush forest, acres and acres of tea and coffee plantation, orange groves, undulating streets and breathtaking views are what make Coorg an unforgettable holiday destination.
One trip to Coorg and it'll remain with you for the rest of your life. You might leave Coorg, but Coorg will never leave you. Don't be surprised if you keep returning to it time and again.
Bangkok
Bangkok or Krung Thep, which means the City of Angels was constructed in 1782.
It certainly lives up to its reputation as a travel hot spot in Southeast Asia. This 'City of Angels' has funky markets, upmarket malls, a riverside full of surprises, a vibrant nightlife scene, many fabulous sights and attractions that reflect its unique heritage, and much, much more
Bangkok, the capital of the Kingdom and Land of Smiles, is a city that never sleeps. First-time visitors are in for an exciting and unforgettable trip!
Sri Lanka
A single line of footprints crosses the golden sand towards the Indian Ocean to take you in to Sri Lanka. When indulgence is what you're after, Sri Lanka heeds your call.
Immerse yourself in heritage, pay homage to the 2500 years of Buddhist civilisation.
Meander through the hills, feast your eyes on cascading waterfalls, warm your soul with a cup of freshly brewed tea.
Feel the rush as you ride the crest of surf. Feel the warmth of this tropical isle and enjoy the hospitality
Dubai
Dubai is located on the Eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, in the south west corner of the Arabian Gulf
With year-round sunshine it has intriguing deserts, beautiful beaches, luxurious hotels and shopping malls, fascinating heritage attractions and a thriving business community.
Dubai receives millions visitors each year from around the world.
If history is your kind of thing, visit the archaeological sites at Al Ghusais, Al Sufooh and Jumeirah where you will find artefacts from the seventh to fifteenth centuries.
Visit the Bedouin village just outside Dubai to get a feel of what the nomadic way of life was. Dubai rightly called the shopping capital of the Middle East has numerous shopping malls and souks, duty- and tax-free merchandise for every conceivable need lures shopaholics from all over the globe