[MileCruncher]

For the last few years, September is the time when we take our Annual Vacation. 2009 was Ladakh and 2010 was Sunderbans. But this year due to the impeding deputation of wifey to Gurgaon, we were not able to have our Ladakh drive. As things look now, most likely she will be moving to GGN sometime towards the end of September. So intend to have an extended weekend (4-5 days max) vacation in mid September. The dates have been decided as 17-21 Sep.

All that remain now is to finalise the holiday destination. And that's where you guys come in. Need help in deciding the venue. The criteria for selection are:

1. Distance of not more than 750-800 Kms from Hyderabad.
2. We would prefer a location on the coast.

Options presently being discussed are Goa or Pondicherry/Pichavaram but both the places have been visited before. I have heard about Malvani cuisine and the Konkan Coast. Any pointers on that direction would be highly appreciated as well.

Cheers

[2500cc]

Ani,

If it is Beach, then it has to be Goa, nothing can replace the fun Goa offers from silent beaches to crazy crowds, everything at one place.

Else, you can also explore Vizag, Araku and Borra Caves. Araku will be a treat to eyes in this season with lush greenary and fabulous climate. There are many places to explorer around Araku.

Cheers,
Rajesh

[MileCruncher]

Originally Posted by 2500cc

Else, you can also explore Vizag, Araku and Borra Caves. Araku will be a treat to eyes in this season with lush greenary and fabulous climate. There are many places to explorer around Araku.

The problem is I have done most of the places on the coast. Vizag was done in March. Gokarna last year and again a few weeks back.

Just that I have been to Goa so many times, that I don't want to go there again if an alternative can be found.

[KarthikK]

Originally Posted by MileCruncher

1. Distance of not more than 750-800 Kms from Hyderabad.
2. We would prefer a location on the coast.

Options presently being discussed are Goa or Pondicherry/Pichavaram but both the places have been visited before.

If coastal location is given preference, I would pick Kovalam beach, Kerala. It is a lot less crowded than Goa and is a beautiful place

[Ardy]

MC, Have you looked at Karwar and areas around that? If not, consider them as well.

Karwar is pretty much in the driving distance mentioned.

Cheers,

[MileCruncher]

Originally Posted by KarthikK

If coastal location is given preference, I would pick Kovalam beach, Kerala. It is a lot less crowded than Goa and is a beautiful place

Its been quite a long time since I went to Kovalam but 1.5 days of driving times is a downer. Doable only if there is a longer holiday.

Originally Posted by Ardy

MC, Have you looked at Karwar and areas around that? If not, consider them as well.

Karwar is pretty much in the driving distance mentioned.

Cheers,

Well been to Gokarna and Om Beach last year. Can look at Karwar but do you have any specific place for recommendation?

[comfortablynumb]

AB, how about Andaman-Nicobar. Of course, you won't be able to drive there, but I've heard a lot of good things about it. Also, it won't be crowded at the time you're planning your vacation.

If not A-N, then take a look at some of these sites:

http://www.konkanyatra.com/

http://www.konkanonline.com/

http://konkantourismguide.com/

http://www.konkaninfo.com/

http://www.maharashtra-tourism.com/konkan/

Cheers,
Vikram

[laxmanrk]

Why not Madikeri (Coorg)? Although commercialisation has reared its ugly head here also. Its not bad. I would say much better than Munnar or Ooty, where its just un-explainably dirty!

The total distance is around 800~850kms!

The preferable route is Hyd-Bangalore-Coorg.

Now, Hyd to Bang. is simply fabulous. Bang to Coorg is also good although it has more traffic and more irritatingly speed breakers.

I think it is doable in say 10 hours.

On your way back, you can also do Mysore! Or decide to continue on the same highway westwardly and get to Mangalore! Its just how much time you have on hand.

[Newpunter]

I have an offbeat suggestion. How about Puri? You can combine Konark and Puri and make it into a beach + religious vacation .

[MileCruncher]

Originally Posted by comfortablynumb

AB, how about Andaman-Nicobar. Of course, you won't be able to drive there, but I've heard a lot of good things about it. Also, it won't be crowded at the time you're planning your vacation.

If not A-N, then take a look at some of these sites:

Well we were supposed to go to AN last year till tragedy stuck with a friend who were supposed to accompany us. Its definitely on the cards but requires a much higher budget and a longer holiday schedule than presently envisaged.

Originally Posted by comfortablynumb

Konkan Travel Guide, Hotel Booking, Stay, Photos, Roadmaps, Iteneraries

Konkan Tourism | Konkan Travel Guide | Konkan Hotels |Konkan Photo Gallery | Konkan Maps

Home: Kokan Tourism Guide, Konkan Tourist Attractions, Konkan Tourist Places, Ratnagiri Tourism, Sindhudurg Tourism, Raigad Tourism, Thane Tourism

Konkan - Dapoli - Abundant Natural Beauty, Pleasant Climate, Virgin Beaches

Maharashtra Tourism - Konkan

Cheers,
Vikram

Thanks. Will check.

Originally Posted by laxmanrk

Why not Madikeri (Coorg)? Although commercialisation has reared its ugly head here also. Its not bad. I would say much better than Munnar or Ooty, where its just un-explainably dirty!

The total distance is around 800~850kms!

The preferable route is Hyd-Bangalore-Coorg.

Now, Hyd to Bang. is simply fabulous. Bang to Coorg is also good although it has more traffic and more irritatingly speed breakers.

I think it is doable in say 10 hours.

On your way back, you can also do Mysore! Or decide to continue on the same highway westwardly and get to Mangalore! Its just how much time you have on hand.

The problem with us or rather with me in particular is that I have seen most of the places. Coorg was done in 2009 when we got the Bolero Storm. http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...-2050-kms.html

Originally Posted by Newpunter

I have an offbeat suggestion. How about Puri? You can combine Konark and Puri and make it into a beach + religious vacation .

Been to Puri and Konark quite a few times. Since both me and wifey are not the religious kinds and considering the amount of crowd that is around Puri these days, I think we will skip that.

BTW does anyone know about BhitarKanika Sanctuary in Orissa?

[rahul_sinha]

Try Tarkarli @South Konkan, I suppose you will get Malvani cuisine as well as virgin beaches. You can also do snorkeling and scuba diving over there. But need to book in advance.

[phamilyman]

Chilka lake/orissa?

Bihar?

just offbeat destinations wonlee

[Fauji]

Milecruncher,

Since you would like to go to beach here are some off beat ones.

a) Try malabar coast - Bekal (awesome) - Cannanore - Tellicherry - Mahe - Calicut and driveupto Wayanad and back to Hyderabad via bangalore. You can taste excellent Mapilla cuisine in Tellicherry

b) Coromandel coast - Chidambaram along with Pichavaram - Tranquebar (stay in Neemranas beautiful heritage property) - Point Calimere - Karaikkudi (Chettinad) - Rameswaram

c) Gopalpur - Chilika in Orissa

[prabingade]

Try Tarkarli @South Konkan, I suppose you will get Malvani cuisine as well as virgin beaches. You can also do snorkeling and scuba diving over there. But need to book in advance.

Not sure if Tarkali/Ganapathipule is recommended during the rainy seasons as the beach would be wet and the best resort (MTDC) doesn't have swimming pool etc. So I am planning to go there in Dec/Jan...

Few suggestions:
1. Mahabalipuram- I had staying in Radisson in Dec 2010 and lovely resort...
2. Bunglow on beach by Neemrana hotels - This is at Nagapatnum. "Bunglow on beach" google query will give you the details. I stayed there for 2 nights in Dec 2010 and is highly recommended if you want a relaxing/lazy holiday.
3. Drive to Cochin, park at Airport and fly to Lakshwadeep. The flight cost from Cochin to Agatti tend to be a lot lesser. You can also explore Bangalore to Agatti flight tickets as they are lot less and affordable than from Hyderabad. I have not done this but exploring this trip for late this year/next year.
4. Thekeddy (I am going there on 31st Aug for 6 days). Agree it is more than 1000kms from here but with the fantastic roads, it is quite doable in a day (or start from Hyd in evening, stay overnight in Hosur to pass Bangalore traffic in late evening. i plan to do that).

[ranjitp1]

You could either do the Bekal belt.There are a couple of mind blowing resorts there(Lalit).Book now and you might be able to wriggle in an off-season tariff for sep.

The other option is to drive to pondicherry(14hr drive frm hyd),from there to bungalow on the beach(tranquebar),from there do the temple circuit of madurai-rameshwaram and come back.a week should be sufficient.