Getaways from Mumbai

Ganapatipule

Get ready to visit the land of the legendary Alphonso (the best mango in the world according to some) and boy isn't it just the place to binge out on them? Binge out on mangoes (but only if you get there in summer), wriggle your toes in the powdery white sand, enjoy a midnight dip and visit temples to your heart's content.

Ganapatipule may be just a charming hamlet on the Konkan coast but don't be fooled into thinking it ordinary. It has been a popular pilgrimage for long, thanks to the ancient Swayambhu Ganesh temple and the Velneshwar Shiva temple. Not far from the village stands the historical Jaigad Fort and Pawas village, waiting to be explored. Dotted with mango groves and coconut palms, the place is extremely pleasant in the evening.

Stay at:

MTDC

Resort Main Reservation Division

MTDC Madame Cama Road Mumbai

Tel: 022-2026713, 2024627, 2027784

Harihareshwar

This is a getaway you'll love driving to along the Mumbai-Goa highway. And the beach is equally enchanting, though very sober compared to Goan beaches.

There's no surfing or sailing - in fact none of the popular water sports one has come to expect at seaside retreats. It's a great romantic hideaway to steal to with your lover. However, families with kids can have fun too.

You can certainly let your children run amok on the soft sand without worrying about unclean beaches. What's truly spectacular here are the high waves and the fact that you can go sailing with local fishermen in the boats they use everyday. Your holiday will turn into something extra special if you have a taste for seafood. Fish, prawns, crabs - there's everything you could ask for.

Stay At

MTDC runs a resort which is a good bet.

You can opt to stay in the lodge, but the family tents that the resort provides are more fun and easier on the pocket.

Main Reservation Division

MTDC Madame Cama Road, Mumbai.

Igatpuri

Igatpuri is no more than a village and you can cover it on foot. So there's simply no excuse for running your car through it. In fact, the walks are so pretty and the air so fresh that it would be criminal to pollute it with fuel fumes.

This charming village is a haven of peace and simply ideal for lovers and nature lovers. At nearly the same altitude as Khandala, Igatpuri is cooler and quieter. Surrounded by lofty mountain peaks, cascading waterfalls, narrow paths leading to forts and temples, it's a great place to spend a relaxed weekend.

And if you can make it during the rainy months, you'll find it hard to go back - it's just so pretty. Everything wears a washed, green look and the waterfalls are at their majestic best. But don't lose heart folks, winter is an equally good time to head for Igatpuri.

Stay At

Manas Resort Igatpuri Nasik District

Tel: 84030, 84273 Mumbai: 022-6403704, 6403586

Hotel Ambassador Dak Bungalow Road Tel: 4153

Kashid

If you are short on time and just need to pop out of big, bad, Bombay (Mumbai) for a day or two, Kashid may just be the place for you.

A mere 4 hours by road, it is home to an impeccably clean beach and is believed to be ideal for swimming. You certainly won't worry about lettting your kids run wild on this beach.

Flanked by thickly wooded hills on one side and a cliff on the other, the placid waters of the Arabian Sea are wonderfully inviting. But make sure you have slapped on plenty of sunscreen lotion as the sun and sea together can prove pretty lethal.

While there, don't forget to explore the Alibaug beach and fort a mere 20km away.

Stay At

Kashid Beach Resort Tel: 8262

Mumbai Office: 022-2625406

Prakruti Resort Tel: 022-5514294, 5569970, 5551888

Panchgani

A six-hour drive from Mumbai, Panchgani is named after the five hills that it stands on at an altitude of 1,300m. Pleasant round the year, it has dramatically high cliffs plunging straight down into the valley on one side and lush tableland on the other.

Most convalescents, who are ordered out of Mumbai by their doctor, land up in Panchgani - thanks to its lovely climate. Life moves at a much slower pace in this little hill town, pretty much as you would ramble along its forests and streams. Those who find it difficult to sit around twiddling their thumbs can head for Mahabaleshwar, Pratapgarh Fort or the Rajpuri Caves.

Stay At

Hotel Amar Bookings at Mumbai

Tel: 022-211101, 272446

Hotel Five Hills

MTDC Office Mumbai Tel: 022-2026713

Matheran

Hidden in the rugged hills of the Western Ghats, Matheran is Mumbai's closest cool getaway. Barely two hours away from Mumbai, driving to the resort is half the fun as you wind your way through the picturesque ghats. Within two short hours, the concrete jungle of Mumbai metamorphoses into lush green countryside that you don't want to go back from.

The train ride on the toy train from Neral is even better. Despite being a popular destination, Matheran has managed to retain much of its charm thanks to the fact that vehicles are just not allowed into the town. All vehicles are stabled at Dasturi Naka (3km away) and you have to complete the rest of the journey on foot, rickshaw or horseback.

Stay At

Royal Hotel Matheran Tel: 02148-30247

Lord's Central Hotel Tel: 02148-302280

Rugby Hotel Tel: 02148-30291

Usha Ascot Tel: 02148-30360

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