Top 5 places to visit this winter

Zee Media Archive

The cold, chilly but clear bright nights, pristine white snow, cosy sun lit mornings – what more could a traveller want? Winter holidays is a great time to pack your stuff and go travelling in the world. The festive cheer already envelops you making it a great time to enjoy the beautiful weather and foggy mornings with a hot cup of chocolate.

But for people who want to explore – winter is a great time to see the world (and India) at its best.

Have a look at the best of the places to visit this winter

 

New York

The temperatures in New York are quite near freezing, but the lights and the snow will make your heart melt. Christmas and New Year is the best time to go to the beautiful city of New York.

With the mixed culture and urbanisation – New York City makes for a fantastically stylish holiday. It lights up into a winter wonderland each year with Christmas trees, holiday window displays and lights adorning every window in sight.

For the party hoppers the city offers you a plethora of places where you can dance away your night. The New Year will have the entire city flocking the Times Square to see the 'Ball Drop'. There are various concerts happening all over the city and great places to dine in. The only thing to keep in mind – make sure to book the table before hand.

Paris

Oh! “The City of Love!” By far the most romantic city in the world, Paris is the perfect couple getaway in winters. The snowy city will have you enchanted as the glowing cultural scene and the historical nuances will keep you entranced.

As everyone knows Paris is known for housing the best of the art world, apart from the Louvre, there is also the Musée Picasso, which has some of the best art exhibitions from around the world.

Paris is much quieter in the winters and it is home to some of the great cathedrals and chapels that look mystical in the winter.
You could also go out for the best of Parisian cuisine as it will be much easier to get reservations with the absence of the tourist crowd.
 

Rajasthan

Coming back to our own country, winters are the best time to travel in the tropical weather of India. Rajasthan looks spectacular in winters with temperatures barely touching the high 20s. The desert is freezing early morning, but once the sun is out, you can walk around all day in the colourful lanes and bylanes of Jaisalmer or Bikaner.
 

Jaipur and Jodhpur too are pleasant and the festivals/fairs held in the state like the camel festival and the desert festivals will take your breath away. These festivals bring the nomadic desert life of Rajasthanis to life with cultural events, camel races, folk music, dance shows and turban tying competitions.

The open skies in the desert at night, with stars scattered across the sky like diamonds is a sight that you will never forget in your life. The best way to travel in Rajasthan is by roads, and adding to the adventure, camp out in the desert if you are brave enough. Rajasthan will truly dazzle you.

 

Kerala

There is a reason why Kerala is called 'God's Own Country'. With serene surroundings, and its calm backgrounds, this southern state offers you a retreat from the hullabaloo of modern life.

It is pleasantly cool, without being too cold, and the lovely seafood will only add to the experience. Visit the backwaters of Kerala through lush green palm-fringed landscape, diverse wildlife, and houses and villages that line it making it one of the most tranquil things you can do.

You can also take some time and get an Ayurvedic treatment for one of the many benefits including rejuvenation of the mind and body. Kerala is a place where time stands still and maybe you can catch up with your inner self in that time.

 

Goa

Like the sunny weather and all the fun people in one place? Go to Goa! It is the most popular tourist destination in India for a reason. Not only are the beaches picturesque but added to that is the local flavour of the beautiful folk culture. Goanese cuisine and people make for a heady mix of celebration – especially in the Christmas season. The entire state seems to be partying, with the touch of the warm sun bathing down your body, Goa is a place to visit for every sea loving person.

Se Cathedral, Basilica of Bom Jesus and Dona Paula Beach make for the perfect heritage sites that you can visit. There is also the option of going snorkeling, parasailing and water skiing in the beautiful blue Arabian sea.

Whether you like the sunny sea beaches or a cosy snowed in afternoon, winter is a pretty good time to travel. Make sure to pack clothes according to the weather of your destination – and more importantly pack in your sense of adventure!