If you have been longing to go on a holiday but have not been able to plan your travel because of busy schedule at work, you can take a short break and go for a weekend outing. There are plenty of places near Mumbai that offer a perfect setting to relax and rejuvenate your senses without having to travel long and far. Some of the popular weekend gateways near Mumbai are Alibaug, Mahabaleshwar, Matheran and Shirdi. You can either go out to these familiar places or you can choose to explore the lesser known and less crowded place and enjoy a peaceful time with your friends and family. If you’re soon planning for a trip you can either drive in your own vehicle or you can book your bust tickets online and use the Redbus Offers to avail discount offer Some of the best and popular destinations you can choose for your next weekend outing are mentioned below.
Jawhar
This quaint and stunningly beautiful tribal hill station is not known to many. Located in the Palghar district, Maharashtra, it is just about 166 kms from Mumbai and is away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Once you are here, there are plenty of places to explore but one that deserves a special mention is the Jai Vilas Palace, which was the palace of the erstwhile tribal kings in the region. The surrounding of the palace is just as beautiful as the design of the palace. The structure is also home to antique paintings and furniture that reflect the warli art.
Silvassa
The capital city of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, one of the Union Territory of India was once a Portuguese town. The city is known to be the place from where the Warli culture originated. Throughout the city you can find traces of Portuguese architecture. To know more about the town you can visit the Silvassa Museum, which exhibits the ancient artifacts and transverses you through the history of the town. Other popular destinations are Balaji Temple, Dadra Park and Ban Ganga Lake.
Karnala
This is probably the closet weekend destination for Mumbai residents. The place is a treat for bird watching lovers and trekking enthusiasts. Karnala is located just adjacent to the Thane Creek is home to the Karnala Bird Sanctuary that is spread over 4.5 square km area. The sanctuary rests within it a huge range of unique bird species. When you visit the place make sure that you carry our binoculars to spot the colourful birds and butterflies. If you are trekking lover, you can go for a trek to the karnala peak, from where you can enjoy a breath-taking view of the Sahyadri Mountains.
Kashid
This quite beach is located in the Konkan region. It is a popular weekend destination for people who love to relax and go for a swim in the cool blue waters of the Arabian Sea. If you are going with your kids make sure that you always accompany them in the waters as the waves here tend to high. If you have had enough of playing in the waters, you can head to the Phansad Bird Sanctuary, which is located about 19 Kms for the beach. While you walk through the forest you can spot wide variety of birds and insects following your path.
