Mumbai: Best getaways around the city to visit during Diwali weekend

Life in the city can be stressful, especially if it is the fast-paced city of Mumbai. Also, Diwali is coming up and people are longing for their much-deserved break. But if one is pressed for time, there are several weekend getaways in and around Mumbai. Here is a list of five such places where one can enjoy a pleasant weekend:

Bhandardara

Bhandardara is a hill station nestled in the Western Ghats, speckled with waterfalls and forts. Monsoon paints the place in a lush green colour which is typical of the Western Ghats. Bhandardara is great for trekking and camping receiving a lot of footfalls in a year. Popular attractions of the place include Mount Kalsubai, Ratnagad Fort, Harishchandra Fort, Umbrella waterfall and Randha Falls. Stargazing is also a popular activity for tourists. It is 185 kilometers from Mumbai by road. You can also reach there by train, the nearest railway station being Igatpuri which is 35 kilometres from Bhandardara. You can avail any public transport to reach the place. There are many resorts where you can stay for the weekend.

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Matheran

Matheran is a cozy little hill cape on the Western Ghats. Although it is a little town, it is very popular among tourists. Matheran boasts of the old world charm and red soiled roads. It has a total of 36 viewpoints, the most popular being Echo Point, Alexander Louisa Point, Panorama Point, and Porcupine Point. There are trekking trails leading to most of these points. Charlotte Lake is a popular picnic spot with nature lovers. Matheran is just 100 kilometers from Mumbai, the closest railway station being Neral. From Neral you can take the toy train to the top of the hill or hike your way up. There are many hotels and guest houses for tourists to spend the night. However, Matheran can also be covered in one day. 

Lonavala

Lonavala is at its best during the monsoon season. The lush green landscape provides a respite from the din and bustle of the city. Lonavala has been a popular tourist destination for a long time especially for trekking and hiking. Attractions in Lonavala include Bhaja caves, Bushi dam, Karla caves, Rajmachi fort, Ryewood lake and many more. A trivia for Big Boss fans- the Big Boss house is located right here in Lonavala. Places around Lonavala which are also popular with tourists include Khandala and Rajmachi. Lonavala is 96 kilometers from Mumbai. It falls on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. It is an easy commute by road. Lonavala also has a railway station of the same name. Lonavala has a lot of hotels and resorts to house tourists. 

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Ganapatipule

Ganapatipule is a popular weekend destination for those who love sea beach. The place gets its name from the 400-year-old Swayambhoo Ganapati Temple. It is a beautiful seascape along the Konkan coast with pleasant weather. Apart from the Ganapti Temple, Ganapatipule has a lot of other attractions like Jaigad Fort, Jaigad Lighthouse and Malgund village. There are also a number of water sports for the tourists to indulge in. Ganapatipule is 343 kilometers from Mumbai. It is also well connected by rail, the nearest railway station being Ratnagiri. From here you can get public convenience. Ganapatipule has a lot of resorts to lodge tourists. The Temple also provides accommodation for minimal charges. 

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Lavasa

Lavasa is a project of the Maharashtrian government which is still underway. The city is being designed like the Italian coastal town, Portofino on the Mose valley near Pune. It is a beautiful blend of the natural and the man-made infrastructure and it the first planned hill station. If you are looking for a leisure holiday to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, then Lavasa is your place. There are a number of activities for the tourists like watersports, indoor golf center, adventure sports, games arcade and many more. Lavasa is approximately 200 kilometers from Mumbai. It takes around four hours to reach by road.

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