Ahmedabad: Those wanting to escape the mundane or get away from the city’s hustle have a long weekend around Independence Day coming up to make their dream come true. With Aug 15 being a Thursday, an adjusted leave from work on Friday clubbed with the weekend and Rakshabandhan on Monday, will give people five days of holidays . Luxury villas in destinations nearby are a hit this time, particularly among groups of families and couples holidaying together.
Private villas with four or five bedrooms cost between Rs 30,000 and Rs 2 lakh for a two-night stay, and travel agents say that this turns out to be cost-effective for larger groups travelling together. Ankit Bajaj, who owns a travel company in Ahmedabad said, “Overall, the sentiment is upbeat. With air fares skyrocketing, many are choosing to drive down to nearby destinations and spend the money on their stay and experience instead.
Basic to luxury villas with five to six bedrooms with breakfast, private pool and other amenities included are high in demand in locations such as Udaipur, Kumbhalgarh and Goa.” A high number of holidayers are choosing domestic destinations over international trips. “Barely 5-7% of the travellers are taking international trips,” Bajaj added.
“A majority of holidayers are families or groups of couples. Aware of the air fare hike during the period, people have booked their holidays well in advance. Those with last-minute plans are feeling the pinch and are facing dilemmas.
Even hotels are sold out for these four days at top destinations and as a result, the ones available are retailing at almost double the price,” said Virendra Shah, chairman, Travel Agents’ Association of India (TAAI) – Gujarat chapter. Among international locations, short-sector destinations such as Dubai, Thailand, Vietnam and Azerbaijan are among the most sought-after. “It’s been a tough couple of months with work schedules getting extended and no respite from deadlines.
The upcoming long weekend will offer a much-needed break,” says Janki Rawal, a professional from Ahmedabad. “So, I have booked a short holiday to Azerbaijan,” she says. On the other hand, long-haul domestic destinations being considered are Kashmir, Kerala and Lonavala, Mahabaleshwar and Matheran in Maharashtra.
Many are giving Himachal Pradesh the skip looking at heavy rain and flash floods there, while barely a handful are opting for Dehradun and the Nainital-Mussorie belt. Bookings this year are up 20% compared to the 2023 I-Day weekend. We also published the following articles recently Must-visit travel destinations in India for each Zodiac Sign The article provided insights into travel destinations in India aligned with each zodiac sign.
Ranging from adventurous spots like Rishikesh for Aries to serene locales like Munnar for Cancer, the guide offers tailored recommendations. It also highlighted luxurious Udaipur for Taurus and spiritual Auroville for Pisces, blending culture, adventure, and tranquility. Weather cancels immediate travel to hills, Independence Day long weekend plans still on The recent extreme weather has caused disruptions in travel plans to Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, causing many cancellations.
However, the Independence Day-Rakshabandhan weekend bookings remain unaffected for now. Despite a heatwave, Kashmir continues to see high demand. Popular travel destinations include Goa, Lonavala, and Udaipur, with a surge in bookings for mid-August travel dates.
Astrological Adventures: Top U.S. Travel Destinations for Each Zodiac Sign The article explored how zodiac signs can guide travel destinations in the U.
S. Aries seeks adventure in Jackson Hole, while Taurus enjoys luxury in Napa Valley. Gemini finds intrigue in New Orleans, and Cancer feels at home in Savannah.
Each zodiac sign is matched to a destination that aligns with their unique personality traits..
