With fingers crossed and full safety in mind, mark your calendars and pack your bags to make the most of the long weekends 2022 has on offer. We have selected the best of the long weekend holidays in this year and curated a list of destinations at driving distances from Mumbai. By Satarupa Paul
1. March
Maha Shivaratri
February 26 to March 1 (Saturday to Tuesday; take a leave on Monday)
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Where to go? Nashik, Maharashtra
With at least 30 functional wineries fanning out in all directions, many of which host vineyard tours and feature tasting rooms, luxurious stays and restaurants, Nashik has become the hotspot for wine tourism in India in recent years. While the Sula Vineyards is the country’s largest and most popular winery, other boutique vineyards here include the French-style Vallonne Vineyards, the family-run York Winery, the premium Grover Zampa vineyards and the newer entrant called Soma Vine Village. The harvesting months of January to March make for the best time to visit Nashik to enjoy the fun wine stomping activity. Besides, the green landscape with its fresh lakes and winding rivers make for an idyllic setting for some R&R to begin the year with.
Distance from Mumbai: 167 kilometres
Duration: Approximately three-and-a-half hours
Where to take a pitstop?: Murali Miltry Hotel, Nagatihalli
Where to stay?: Beyond by Sula
What to do?: Try white water rafting on the Vaitarna River; shop at Saraf Bazaar; and visit the Trimbakeshwar Temple—one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India—on the banks of the Godavari river.
Holi
March 18 to March 20 (Friday to Sunday)
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Where to go? Daman, Daman and Diu
An erstwhile Portuguese colony, the quaint town of Daman in the union territory of Daman and Diu on the west coast, makes for a great offbeat escape from Mumbai. Its scenic, uncrowded beaches, such as Jampore Beach and Devka Beach, make for the best unwinding spots with splendid views during sunset. The twin forts of Moti Daman and Nani Daman, located on opposite ends of town, feature colonial-style designs with massive walls and bastions. The latter also boasts an impressive statue of St Jerome at its entrance as well as the Church of Our Lady of Sea. Built in 1603, the Cathedral of Bom Jesus with its beautiful altar-piece and the intricately carved doorway is another must-visit, as are the historic ruins of the Dominican Monastery.
Distance from Mumbai: 172 kilometres
Duration: Approximately three-and-a-half hours
Where to take a pitstop?: Hotel New Jalaram Kathiyawadi, Ghol
Where to stay?: The Deltin
What to do?: Visit the Daman Lighthouse for fantastic views of the Arabian Sea; shop for leather items, bamboo mats and baskets in the local markets.
3. APRIL
Mahavir Jayanti, Ambedkar Jayanti, Good Friday,Easter Sunday
April 14 to April 17 (Thursday to Sunday)
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Where to go? Mulshi, Maharashtra
An eco-tourism hotspot, Mulshi has also been attracting wellness enthusiasts off late, with a number of upscale spa resorts that have come up here. The centre of attraction is the Mulshi Dam and lake that presents a resplendent picture of natural beauty. A picnic by the lakeside is highly recommended, so is a drive up to Tamhini Ghat—a local landmark that faces a steep cliff on one side and a deep valley on the other. Close by, the century-old temple of Vanjai Mata makes for an interesting visit. Besides immersing yourself in the natural splendour of Mulshi, you can also opt to get onto a personalised wellness programme at the resorts here, which will leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
Distance from Mumbai: 169 kilometres
Duration: Approximately three-and-a-half hours
Where to take a pitstop?: Ekvira Dhaba, Savroli
Where to stay?: Atmantan Wellness Retreat
What to do?: Go for an organised trek and a night of camping with bonfire dinners at one of the many hiking spots around.
4. MAY
Maharashtra Day, Eid al-Fitr
April 30 to May 3 (Saturday to Tuesday; take a leave on Monday)
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Where to go? Silvassa, Dadra and Nagar Haveli
Located along the Daman Ganga river in Western India, Silvassa is a former Portuguese colony, now the capital of the union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli. While it once comprised of 72 tribal villages, today Silvassa is considered the home of the Warli tribe, widely known for their paintings. The Tribal Cultural Museum gives an insight into their lives, whereas Roman Catholic churches such as Our Lady of Piety stand testimony to the colonial influence. Silvassa also has a number of beautiful gardens, such as the Vanganga Lake Garden where over 40 Bollywood film scenes have been shot, Island Garden with quaint wooden bridges and thatched huts, and the Hirwa Van Garden with waterfalls and manicured flowerbeds.
Distance from Mumbai: 168 kilometres
Duration: Approximately four hours
Where to take a pitstop?: Hotel Samrat, Manor
Where to stay?: Pluz Resort
What to do?: Visit the Vasona Lion Safari Park to see the Asiatic Lion in its natural habitat, and shop for products adorned with Warli paintings from local cooperative shops.
Buddha Purnima
May 14 to May 16 (Saturday to Monday)
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Where to go? Ratnagiri, Maharashtra
A port town overlooking the Arabian Sea in the Konkan region of Maharashtra, Ratnagiri is perhaps best known for its Alphonso mangoes. Besides the sweet juicy delight, the town is also historically important as it was the administrative capital under the Bijapur rule, the birthplace of freedom fighter Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and where British exiled the King of Burma from Mandalay. Today, the Ratnadurg and Jaigad forts, the Tilak Museum and the Thebaw Palace stand as testaments to those events, respectively. Ratnagiri also has long stretches of pristine beaches, including the famous Ganpatipule beach, Guhagar beach, Bhatye beach and Kunkeshwar beach.
Distance from Mumbai: 326 kilometres
Duration: Approximately eight hours
Where to take a pitstop?: Hotel Prabhakar, Kolad; Hotel Samarthya, Chiplun
Where to stay?: Blue Ocean Resort and Spa
What to do?: Buy a box or two of the season’s best Alphonso mangoes, as well as Ratnagiri cashews; try local Konkani fish preparations and fruit-based dishes like the jackfruit sandan cake, kokam sharbat, amba panha, etc.
6. AUGUST
Muharram
August 6 to August 9 (Saturday to Tuesday; take a leave on Monday)
Where to go? Panchgani, Maharashtra
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Once a summer retreat for British officials, today Panchgani is a serene hill station nestling amid five hills of the Sahyadri mountain ranges of the Western Ghats. These hills are topped off with a volcanic plateau—the second-highest in Asia after the Tibet Plateau. Known as Table Land, it offers panoramic views of Panchgani and the surrounding thick forests. Several other viewpoints, such as Parsi Point, Sydney Point, Wilson Point and Kate’s Point offer diverse scenic views. The Krishna River flows through the valley, on the banks of which is Wai, a town with over 100 temples to explore. The Rajpuri caves make for an exciting discovery, whereas the popular hill town of Mahabaleswar is just 30 minutes away.
Distance from Mumbai: 244 kilometres
Duration: Approximately four-and-a-half hours
Where to take a pitstop?: McDonald’s, Talegaon Dabhade
Where to stay?: Otonia by Vista Rooms
What to do?: Shop for strawberries, jams and honey that are locally grown; visit Roach and Sons, the oldest bakery here dating to 1901.
Independence Day, Parsi New Year
August 13 to August 16 (Saturday to Tuesday)
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Where to go? Malshej Ghat, Maharashtra
Every monsoon, Instagrammers are treated to enchanting photos of a mountain pass in the Sahyadris, glistening green from the rains, with brimming waterfalls tumbling down the sides or crashing by a winding road. That’s Malshej Ghat for you—one of the best places to drive to during the monsoon. The misty landscape here is dotted with blissful villages, ancient forts and temples, many of which are accessible via trekking trails. One of the most famous monsoon treks is that to the mystical 6th century Harishchadragad Fort, perched atop a hill with temple caves and a serene lake nearby. The soaring peak of Taramanchi with astounding views of the Naneghat range and neighbouring forts, the primeval fortress of Shivneri, and the hill-fort of Ajoba are other popular treks here.
Distance from Mumbai: 126 kilometres
Duration: Approximately three hours
Where to take a pitstop?: Hotel Rajyog Residency, Murbad
Where to stay?: Saj By The Lake
What to do?: Go birdwatching at the five-kilometre long Pimpalgaon Joga Dam, built over the Pushpawati River. It’s a haven for pink flamingoes, alpine swifts, whistling thrush, and purple moorhen, among others.
8. OCTOBER
Diwali
October 22 to October 25 (Saturday to Tuesday; take a leave on Monday)
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Where to go? Lavasa, Maharashtra
Fashioned after the Italian town of Portofino, Lavasa is India’s first privately planned city and newest hill station. Spread across seven hills in the Mose valley of the Western Ghats near Pune, the city covers 65 kilometres of a lakefront area that gives it its unique Mediterranean vibe and Italian Riviera charm. You can hire bicycles or couple bikes and pedal around town, go boating or jet skiing on the lake, or simply take a stroll along the promenade. The colourful buildings lining the lakefront promenade—which also house cafes and restaurants serving a range of cuisines—make for Insta-worthy photos. Nearby, Tikona Fort and Ghangad Fort are great for day-time explorations.
Distance from Mumbai: 187 kilometres
Duration: Approximately four hours
Where to take a pitstop?: Kamats Hotel, Lonavla
Where to stay?: Ekaant The Retreat
What to do?: Go for a leisurely picnic, visit an organic farm, hike to Devkund waterfall, and visit the factory and showroom of Bamboosa that engages local craftsmen in making bamboo products.
9. NOVEMBER
Guru Nanak Jayanti
November 5 to November 8 (Saturday to Tuesday; take a leave on Monday)
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Where to go? Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary, Maharashtra
Created primarily to protect the natural habitat of the Indian Giant Squirrel or Malabar Giant Squirrel, the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary—one of the 12 biodiversity hotspots of the world—covers an area of 131 square kilometres. Besides a large diversity of endemic and specialised flora and fauna, the sanctuary also boasts panthers, hyenas, jackals, wild boar, sambar, barking deer and other animals. Nine tribal villages, too, call the sanctuary home and aid in its protection and biodiversity. The area is also an important pilgrimage, courtesy the presence of one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India—the Bhimashankar Temple built in the Nagara style of architecture.
Distance from Mumbai: 196 kilometres
Duration: Approximately four-and-a-half hours
Where to take a pitstop?: Kamat The Food People, Khandala
Where to stay?: Jamrung Hillside Camping
What to do?: Go on a jungle safari; climb the 250-odd steps to the Bhimashankar Temple; enjoy a bonfire dinner out in nature.
Related: Check Out The Long Weekends In 2022 For Your Next Short Vacation
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