From the southern tip of Kanyakumari, right up to the towering Himalayas, India is a traveler’s paradise. At any time of the year, you can pack your bags and set out on a journey that will enrich your body and soul.
Unlike many of the other global tourist destinations, India is extremely family friendly. From North to South and East to West, India’s length and breadth is decked with exotic family-friendly tourist destinations in all directions. The country is perhaps more family-friendly than any other country in the whole world. Kids and senior adults get equal opportunities to explore nature, indulge in cultural feasts and if required, rest amidst tranquil backwaters
In today’s post we are catching up with some exotic locations where your family can experience the culture, life and India’s soul come alive in its finest forms.
If you have been wondering where to head to for your next family trip, here is a collection of the top 6 places in India that you can consider.
- Puri
Image by Nature_beckons via Flickr
Puri is a coastal city where there are diverse experiences waiting to unravel for the open mind. Be it a religious pilgrimage or an exciting cultural experience, Puri offers a platterful of every imaginable experience. The two biggest draws of Puri include the Lord Jagannath Temple and the Puri beach.
The Lord Jagannath Temple is a religious landmark that is shrouded in mystery. From the temple flag that always flaps in the wind’s opposite direction to the invisible shadow of the dome, there are so many exciting tidbits to learn about Puri. The Puri beach, on the other hand, is the venue for the annual Puri Beach Festival, a delightful five-day experience spanning 5 days which brings together dance, music, and cultural extravaganza.
- Alleppey
Fondly called the Venice of the East, Alleppey is a network of interconnected lagoons and canals. Rustic houseboats with 5-star amenities floating along the tranquil backwaters are the most depicted image of Alleppey. You can find spacious houseboats with luxurious facilities where your family can huddle together for a relaxing weekend holiday.
Come August, the backwaters of Alleppey turn into racing lanes for snake boats. The Punnamada Lake is the most renowned racing venue where snake boats belonging to various ancestral homes and sports clubs pit against each other. The preparation for the snake-boat race begins long before the race dates. Commoners turn into athletes through rigorous training. On the other side, boats get primed by expert hands with decades of experience in molding snake-boats specifically for the races.
- Mumbai
Image by – Adam Reeder – via Flickr
Mumbai is not just a city, it is more of an experience and an emotion. It is the cradle of Bollywood – the nation’s biggest movie industry and also the root from where the Maharashtrian lineage grew. Mumbai has a long list of tourist landmarks including the Gateway of India, Elephanta Caves, Colaba Causeway, Juhu beach, Marine drive and much more.
The city of Mumbai hardly goes to sleep. Be it mid noon or midnight, you can enjoy the bustle of Mumbai and its exotic experiences in full measure. For children, it would be a learning experience that exposes them to the rich history of India’s past. As for adults, the best time to visit Mumbai would be during the monsoon when the rains come down in drizzling showers, giving the city a rustic beauty.
- Coorg
Image by Saurabh Chatterjee via Flickr
The misty mountains of Coorg (also known as Kodagu) will breathe fresh air into your lungs and mind. The twisty roads snake their way uphill where landmark destinations like Raja’s tomb, Madikeri fort and Talakaveri are present.
If you are heading to Coorg from Mysore, set aside a few hours to spend at Kaveri Nisargadhama – a natural oasis canopied by lush greenery and tranquil water streams. Also, there is the Namdroling Monastery where your family can partake in the prayer rituals of the Buddhist monks.
- Munnar
Munnar is literally the family vacation destination of South India. Nestled amidst the Western Ghats, Munnar provides a heady mix of flora and fauna. It is also home to some of the finest tea plantations from where tea is exported worldwide.
Munnar also has a number of tea museums and factories where kids can learn the fundamental process of how tea dust is made from tea leaves. Apart from this, there are several other naturally blessed places like Pothamedu viewpoint, Anamudi, Devikulam, Eravikulam National park and many others where nature can be experienced in its full glory.
- Gulmarg
Image by Abhishek Shirali via Flickr
Gulmarg is a snowy paradise in the Himalayan range. With well-groomed slopes that resemble the likes of Alps and Andes, it is emerging as a destination for skiers. Gulmarg has international boarding and lodging facilities at par with international standards that make it a perfect summer destination for families.
Popular tourist activities in Gulmarg include riding the Gulmarg Gondola – the world’s second highest operating cable car service, hiking up the Khilanmarg mountain and lake region which is located very close to the Gulmarg bus and railway station, or simply taking some time to rest and reflect on life beside the Alpather Lake.
Final Thoughts
Planning a family trip is totally different from planning a solo trip or one with friends. Accommodation, safe travel, hygienic facilities and many other factors have to considered beforehand to avoid last minute hassles.
These 6 Indian destinations have been drawing families owing to their ambient facilities and tourist attractions. From affordable accommodation to niche places of interest, they are a good choice any time of the year.
Author Bio:
Sunu Philip is the Inbound Marketing and Creative Head for Paradise Holidays, Cochin – a Kerala based tour operator. She loves reading, exploring new places and trying out different cuisines!
