Week Long Vacation for Family - Help!!

blackstallion76 · 16th November 2009, 13:44

Hi,

I have around 9 days of vacation to be spent with my family during 3rd week of December 2009. My daughter (5yrs) also have Christmas vacation during the sametime. So, i want to have a good vacation without much travel. Just peaceful, harmonious and ofcourse memorable.

List of places just checking options:
1. Valaparai, Meghamalai, Parambikulam
2. Mahabalipuram, Pondicherry (North-East Monsoon)
3. Hyderabad/Vizag
4. West Coast of Kerala
5. Murudeshwar - Karwar Resorts
6. Nainital-Dalhousie-Kulu-Manali (how will be the weather in these places)

Budget would be normal(Not too high / low)
Looking for 3star Hotels to Stay
Looking for peaceful stay which supports family and kids
Little bit of boating, little bit of trekking, little bit of hills with lot of nature.

Please advise.

hiren959 · 16th November 2009, 13:49

IMO West Coast of Kerala is the best destination for this season.

You will find TOO much of boating, little bit of trekking, little bit of hills with lots of nature.

blackstallion76 · 16th November 2009, 15:18

@hiren:
Which places in West Coast of Kerala best to visit?

Soumya_Ramesh · 16th November 2009, 15:52

My suggestion would be

1. Straight away head to Munnar, it is a good 2 to 3 days stay and plus you can visit alleppy nearby for house boats.

2. Second, presuming you are from Bangalore then head towards theerthalli(near shimogga) for vihangama holidat retreat, it is a wonderfull place and there are lot of spots nearby. It is again a good 2 to 3 days stay.

3. In Sakleshpur check out Jenkal and Rottikal, both of them are quite good and a good couple of days outing.

4. Mercara would be quite good and you have lot of places to visit within 30 to 40 kms (both trekking and water falls). Find out a good resort slightly away from town and you will really enjoy.

Also you can combine some of these and can make a good week trip

blackstallion76 · 16th November 2009, 17:00

@soumya:
Thanks for update.

I had been to Munnar 2 times in the last 6yrs. I have seen lot of places in Munnar.
Dont want to go again.
Mercara, Theerthahalli and Sakleshpur i can make it during weekends sometime later.
My native place comes very near to Mercara.

Want to try places out of Karnataka. (Kerala / TN places).

Just checking if weather in North India.
Will it be very cold during December in Kulu or in Nainital?

sachinj12 · 16th November 2009, 17:05

Why not try out package trips. Southren travels and asian travel lines offer well organised trips and they are trust worthy. Contact them.

Prowler · 16th November 2009, 17:43

I can tell you about TN here:

1. Valaparai, Meghamalai, Parambikulam -

Hills - yes; Boating - Yes. Trekking - Yes.
But you have to stay in Polachi. The comfort level of staying in the places you mentioned may not be upto your expectation.

2. Mahabalipuram, Pondicherry (North-East Monsoon)
Mahabs: Trekking - minimal. Boating - Not in Mahabs - but near Mudaliyar kuppam or Muttukadu.
Pondicherry: If a casual stroll on the beach front is your idea of trekking - Yes. Plenty of places - temples, Churches and old world charm of a prime French colony. Ginger hotel and plenty of choice of other Hotels to stay. But it will be crowded at that time of the year. So book in advance.

blackstallion76 · 17th November 2009, 00:20

I am looking for resort kind of stay. Not too much travelling.
BTW, I am thinking of Vagamon/Peermade and Kumarakom/Varkala resort stay.

Can anyone provide details of stay in these places?

mjothi · 17th November 2009, 07:33

My opinion. Most of the places you mentioned can be done in a long weekend. So, I would prefer your last option - North India. Since you have 9 days, you can plan it well. Btw, the period you have chosen is high traffic days. So, please confirm and start booking the stay.
Good luck.

muralisk · 17th November 2009, 08:24

+1 to Mjothi. It's no that often once gets a straight 9 days off and it is better used to cover destinations that need time. All the others are pretty much 3 day affair. Keep us posted on where you go and would love to see a good report once the trip is done. Have fun.

sylvan · 17th November 2009, 09:00

Bangalore to kodai - 4 days
While coming back take the deviation to Yercaus and spend 3 days there. Your 9 days will be spent among nature/great weather and minimal travel.

or
Visit wayanad/mudumalai - 3 days and coming back exit to ooty/masinagudi/chalakkudy/adrapalli falls - 5 days and back to bangalore.
loads of nature and least of travel...great weather all around

blackstallion76 · 17th November 2009, 16:12

@mjothi:
I checked out with few of my friends in Delhi.
Feb-Mar is one of the best time to visit Kulu-Manali.
It seems snow fall already started in HP. And temparature range is 0-10 deg during winter.
manali, Hotels in Manali, honeymoon package tours for manali, group package tours for manali, adventure tours like trekkings in manali, skiing, white water rafting

Same in Uttaranchal as well.

So, not a good option to travel now.

Let me see. Still thinking of other options.
Possibly some kerala homestays.

ampere · 17th November 2009, 20:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackstallion76

@mjothi:
I checked out with few of my friends in Delhi.
Feb-Mar is one of the best time to visit Kulu-Manali.
It seems snow fall already started in HP. And temparature range is 0-10 deg during winter.
manali, Hotels in Manali, honeymoon package tours for manali, group package tours for manali, adventure tours like trekkings in manali, skiing, white water rafting

Same in Uttaranchal as well.

So, not a good option to travel now.

Let me see. Still thinking of other options.
Possibly some kerala homestays.

You are perfectly right. Feb/Mar is a perfect time for Himachal. One can do Manali, Dharmshala and Dalhousie 3 days each.

As for your questions, you can also try Mahabalipuram, Pondicherry, Chindambaram, Trichy and Back.

16th November 2009, 13:44	#1
blackstallion76 BHPian Join Date: May 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 343 Thanked: 71 Times View My Garage	Week Long Vacation for Family - Help!! Hi, I have around 9 days of vacation to be spent with my family during 3rd week of December 2009. My daughter (5yrs) also have Christmas vacation during the sametime. So, i want to have a good vacation without much travel. Just peaceful, harmonious and ofcourse memorable. List of places just checking options: 1. Valaparai, Meghamalai, Parambikulam 2. Mahabalipuram, Pondicherry (North-East Monsoon) 3. Hyderabad/Vizag 4. West Coast of Kerala 5. Murudeshwar - Karwar Resorts 6. Nainital-Dalhousie-Kulu-Manali (how will be the weather in these places) Budget would be normal(Not too high / low) Looking for 3star Hotels to Stay Looking for peaceful stay which supports family and kids Little bit of boating, little bit of trekking, little bit of hills with lot of nature. Please advise.
	() Thanks

16th November 2009, 13:49	#2
hiren959 BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Ahmedabad Posts: 344 Thanked: 63 Times	IMO West Coast of Kerala is the best destination for this season. You will find TOO much of boating, little bit of trekking, little bit of hills with lots of nature.
	() Thanks

16th November 2009, 15:18	#3
blackstallion76 BHPian Join Date: May 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 343 Thanked: 71 Times View My Garage	@hiren: Which places in West Coast of Kerala best to visit?
	() Thanks

16th November 2009, 15:52	#4
Soumya_Ramesh BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 37 Thanked: 0 Times	My suggestion would be 1. Straight away head to Munnar, it is a good 2 to 3 days stay and plus you can visit alleppy nearby for house boats. 2. Second, presuming you are from Bangalore then head towards theerthalli(near shimogga) for vihangama holidat retreat, it is a wonderfull place and there are lot of spots nearby. It is again a good 2 to 3 days stay. 3. In Sakleshpur check out Jenkal and Rottikal, both of them are quite good and a good couple of days outing. 4. Mercara would be quite good and you have lot of places to visit within 30 to 40 kms (both trekking and water falls). Find out a good resort slightly away from town and you will really enjoy. Also you can combine some of these and can make a good week trip
	() Thanks

16th November 2009, 17:00	#5
blackstallion76 BHPian Join Date: May 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 343 Thanked: 71 Times View My Garage	@soumya: Thanks for update. I had been to Munnar 2 times in the last 6yrs. I have seen lot of places in Munnar. Dont want to go again. Mercara, Theerthahalli and Sakleshpur i can make it during weekends sometime later. My native place comes very near to Mercara. Want to try places out of Karnataka. (Kerala / TN places). Just checking if weather in North India. Will it be very cold during December in Kulu or in Nainital?
	() Thanks

16th November 2009, 17:05	#6
sachinj12 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,187 Thanked: 168 Times	Why not try out package trips. Southren travels and asian travel lines offer well organised trips and they are trust worthy. Contact them.
	() Thanks

16th November 2009, 17:43	#7
Prowler BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Madras Posts: 774 Thanked: 1,326 Times	I can tell you about TN here: 1. Valaparai, Meghamalai, Parambikulam - Hills - yes; Boating - Yes. Trekking - Yes. But you have to stay in Polachi. The comfort level of staying in the places you mentioned may not be upto your expectation. 2. Mahabalipuram, Pondicherry (North-East Monsoon) Mahabs: Trekking - minimal. Boating - Not in Mahabs - but near Mudaliyar kuppam or Muttukadu. Pondicherry: If a casual stroll on the beach front is your idea of trekking - Yes. Plenty of places - temples, Churches and old world charm of a prime French colony. Ginger hotel and plenty of choice of other Hotels to stay. But it will be crowded at that time of the year. So book in advance.
	() Thanks

17th November 2009, 00:20	#8
blackstallion76 BHPian Join Date: May 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 343 Thanked: 71 Times View My Garage	I am looking for resort kind of stay. Not too much travelling. BTW, I am thinking of Vagamon/Peermade and Kumarakom/Varkala resort stay. Can anyone provide details of stay in these places?
	() Thanks

17th November 2009, 07:33	#9
mjothi Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 3,287 Thanked: 231 Times View My Garage	My opinion. Most of the places you mentioned can be done in a long weekend. So, I would prefer your last option - North India. Since you have 9 days, you can plan it well. Btw, the period you have chosen is high traffic days. So, please confirm and start booking the stay. Good luck.
	() Thanks

17th November 2009, 08:24	#10
muralisk BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Hyderabad, Bangalore Posts: 711 Thanked: 13 Times View My Garage	+1 to Mjothi. It's no that often once gets a straight 9 days off and it is better used to cover destinations that need time. All the others are pretty much 3 day affair. Keep us posted on where you go and would love to see a good report once the trip is done. Have fun.
	() Thanks

17th November 2009, 09:00	#11
sylvan BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Bangalore/Chennai Posts: 151 Thanked: 3 Times	Bangalore to kodai - 4 days While coming back take the deviation to Yercaus and spend 3 days there. Your 9 days will be spent among nature/great weather and minimal travel. or Visit wayanad/mudumalai - 3 days and coming back exit to ooty/masinagudi/chalakkudy/adrapalli falls - 5 days and back to bangalore. loads of nature and least of travel...great weather all around
	() Thanks

17th November 2009, 16:12	#12
blackstallion76 BHPian Join Date: May 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 343 Thanked: 71 Times View My Garage	@mjothi: I checked out with few of my friends in Delhi. Feb-Mar is one of the best time to visit Kulu-Manali. It seems snow fall already started in HP. And temparature range is 0-10 deg during winter. manali, Hotels in Manali, honeymoon package tours for manali, group package tours for manali, adventure tours like trekkings in manali, skiing, white water rafting Same in Uttaranchal as well. So, not a good option to travel now. Let me see. Still thinking of other options. Possibly some kerala homestays.
	() Thanks