TRAVEL SPECIAL...QUICK GETAWAY

QUICK GETAWAY

FROM MUMBAI: SRIVARDHAN, 180 KMS, 3 HRS, 30 MINS, 28 DEGREES APPROX
    Want a slice of beach beauty? Then head out to Srivardhan. This coastal town in the Raigad district of Maharashtra is bestowed with a majestic sandy coastline, with coconut groves and mango plantations dotting the landscape. The peninsula has a number of beach destinations, the most popular of which are Diveagar Beach and Kondivali Beach. Restaurants near the shore serve excellent sea food, though alcohol is much more difficult to come by. The town of Srivardhan also holds historic importance. It was frequented by traders in the past and is also mentioned as being visited by Arjuna Pandava during his pilgrimage. The area has a couple of beautiful village temples and also a monument in memory of Balaji Visvanath, the first Peshwa of the Maratha empire. Harihareshwar, 18 kms from Srivardhan is also a good place to visit.
By Rail: Mangaon is the nearest rail head, 49 kms from Srivardhan By Road: Drive onto Uran Road and then onto NH 17.
FROM DELHI: MASHOBRA, 367 KMS, 7 HRS APPROX, 24 DEGREES
    Mashobra is a charming hill station surrounded by towering pine and cedar trees. With its amazing views and serenity all over, the lovely hill spot is an ideal gift of nature. Numerous scenic trekking and hiking trails will surely keep you going throughout the day. Situated on Shimla-Naldehra road, Mashobra is at a distance of only 10 kms away from Shimla. The quaint little town dates back to the 18th century when it was built by Lord Dalhousie. Although it makes for a well-known tourist spot, it is still unknown and unexplored by many — so you won’t have to worry about hoards of tourists here. The snow-peaked mountains, breathtaking views of the environs, invigorating walks and drives, abundant flora and fauna, lush green gardens and valleys and of course the enormous apple groves offer visitors a variety of options to keep you busy and entertained in the lap of nature. At three km from Mashobra is Carignano, a beautiful picnic spot that was a villa of Chevalier Federico Peliti, an Italian photographer in India from the times of Queen Victoria, who named it in honour of his native town Carignano, near Turin in Italy.
By Rail: The nearest rail head is in Kalka, 103 kms away. By Road: Drive onto Karnala Road and then on to Grand Trunk Road and then to Mall Road. FROM BANGALORE: HORSLEY HILLS: 140 KMS, 3 HRS, 28 DEGREES APPROX
    Horsley Hills in Andhra Pradesh is an upcoming holiday destination tucked in the hills of the state and is located at a distance of 144 km from Tirupati — the famous pilgrimage town of Andhra Pradesh. The hill station situated at an altitude of 1,265 has shady slopes that are forested with verdant vegetation. The old name of Horsley Hills was Yenugu Mallamma Konda, situated in Kurnool district. According to legend, there used to be a little girl named Mallamma who was taken care of by elephants. She used to heal the tribal people on the hills. When she disappeared suddenly, people thought that she was a goddess and built a temple for her. Later on, the area was renamed after a British officer named W D Horsley, the Collector of Cuddapah district. He visited this place around 1840-43 and was impressed by the beauty of the hills and chose this spot for his summer residence. The narrow road to Horsely Hills is very scenic. It is surrounded throughout its entire length with dense growths of eucalyptus, jacaranda, allamanda and gulmohar trees. The major tourist places around Horsely Hills are Lake Gangotri, Highview seeing place, Gaalibanda, Environmental park and the Horsley Hills Museum. Horsley Hills is also one of the few places to offer zorbing in India. Prior reservation is required. Other adventure sports conducted are rappelling and trekking.
By Rail: Nearest railhead is Madanapalle Road, 13 kms away. By Road: Drive through Hoskote, Chintamani, Rayalpadu and Madanapalli towards Horsley Hills.

ETTR121122