Ladies, can you hear the recess bell? It’s that time of the year when you can find the perfect excuse to spend a week according to your whims and fancies. No hectic schedules, no laundry to do. Nothing. Just time spent for yourself. What we mean is this- Mother’s Day is just around the corner and it’s time to celebrate and reward yourselves for being such a great mom!
But why restrict it to just a day of fun? Why not extend it into a week-long affair? To travel somewhere far, a place you have always dreamed of. You can make new friends, try something adventurous or just find a pretty place to disconnect from the world. After all, your family does owe you this vacation.
Intrigued? Here are 9 exciting destinations around the world that you can choose from to celebrate your special day, no week, in style:
Greece
Imagine watching the world’s most beautiful sunset, as you sip on fine wine and savour delicious kebabs, all while sitting on a balcony facing the sea. Just living in the moment, absorbing every peaceful second, unlike at home. This could be your evening in Greece!
This Mediterranean wonderland is the perfect place for your summer holiday. With white sandy beaches fading into sky-blue waters, your mornings couldn’t get better. And if you’re a foodie, then you’re in for a surprise. Delicious souvlaki kebabs, ouzo, baklavas and moussakas are sure to drive your palate into a frenzy!
And the nights here are as lively as they get. If you want to shake a leg, then you’re at the right place – Greek cities never sleep! And last but not the least, let’s not forget the iconic ruins of Athens.
So, ready to pack your bags for the big fat Greek holiday?
Central Europe
Whether you are a history buff, a wine lover, a music aficionado or a connoisseur of art, you are in for a treat! With its quaint towns, medieval architecture and Beethoven melodies, it’s hard not to succumb to the old-world charms of Central Europe.
From the towering St. Vitus cathedral in Prague to the endless bright yellow mustard fields that line highways and seem straight out of a painting, this journey is a sensory delight. Step back in time and learn about historic palaces and castles, kings and heroes. Take leisurely walks along the charming streets of Prague, and walk on the famous 600-year-old Charles Bridge.
And well, no trip to Central Europe is ever complete without a river cruise. Head to Budapest and cruise down the Danube, watching the whole city come alive magically at night!
Ladakh
We firmly believe, inner peace and the Himalayas go hand in hand. So grab your yoga mats and get ready to do some soul searching atop the prettiest landscapes in India.
Whether it’s the deserts of Nubra Valley or the shores of sapphire blue Pangong, you will find out that the Himalayan outdoor is indeed the spiritual centre you are looking for. You can practice yoga, build your inner strength and cleanse yourself, physically, emotionally and spiritually.
Kenya
Every summer, a 2-million-strong herd of wildebeest thunders through the grasslands of Africa, in a race for survival. It’s called the Great Migration.
Every moment of this race is action-packed, as the wildebeest must cross swollen rivers with monster crocs and angry hippos. On land they have to be on the watch out for the king of the beasts- lions among other predators. And you can be a part of this thrilling drama, absorbing every second, with bated breath, from the safe confines of an off roader.
As clichéd as it might sound, watching wildlife in the millions all at the same place, is a once-in-lifetime experience. Nowhere else will you find them in such large numbers. And the sight of an incoming sand storm, kicked off by the pounding of a million hooves, with stripes of yellow and black chasing them – this is a story you’d love telling your folks back at home.
Argentina
In Argentina, you can dive into a world of your imagination, where forests whisper, waterfalls drop from the skies and cowboys still ride!
The landscapes are nothing short of magical. You can witness the planet’s biggest glaciers as they tumble off into lakes in a tsunami-like splash. Talking of splashes, Argentina is home to some of the biggest waterfalls in the world. And guess what? You can ride through them! If you are a nature lover, Argentina will leave you spellbound.
It’s also one of the few countries where you can experience the gaucho (read cowboy) culture. You can explore the grasslands on horseback, watch cowboys dazzle you with their skills and sample some lip-smacking steaks.
In the midst of all this action, turn the heat up with learning to Tango, the most exciting dance form to emerge from this part of the world (PS: We’re going to Argentina, Peru and Brazil with a small group of travellers! Interested? Click here for more details) .
Turkey
Turkey is the perfect entertainment package. It offers an endless list of things to do, right from its iconic mosques, river cruises, and hot-air balloon rides to bazaars that provide authentic shopping experiences. The icing on the cake is (pun intended), the delectable array of desserts you will find here.
If you love cooking, why not take a class and prepare some Turkish food, the local way? And this time, you will be cooking for yourself!
And it goes without saying that Cappadocia will be the highlight of your trip. Especially watching the sunrise from the skies, on a hot-air balloon as you look down the lunar landscapes below.
Sri Lanka
Ringed by an endless stretch of white sand, Sri Lanka boasts of some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. If a summer holiday means chilling by the sea for you, then look no further. Splash around in the sea to your heart’s content. Let the child in you take over, on this break from work (and family).
If Sri Lanka is surrounded by the sea, its interiors are enveloped in green. Its verdant rainforests and the famed tea plantations of Nuwara Eliya are a sight to behold. They are best experienced on spectacular train rides.
Srilanka carries a laid-back vibe with it, so even walking along the streets of Galle, admiring the forts overlooking the sea is enough to make you lose track of time. Not to mention its 2000-year-old history is stacked into legendary UNESCO world heritage sites.
It may be a small country, but Sri Lanka’s perfect blend of culture, history and natural beauty will bowl you over.
Dubai
A shopaholic’s paradise, Dubai is akin to Disneyland for mommies of the world. So why not beat the sweltering summer heat in Dubai’s sprawling mega malls. With some of the largest malls in the world, “shop till you drop” seems to have been taken pretty seriously here!
This is the time for you to splurge on yourself. And If you ever get tired of lugging around your shopping list, pamper yourself with a refreshing spa. Lie down in a scented room and let a trained masseuse make your sore muscles disappear as you slip into peaceful slumber.
Dubai is the place to enjoy some quality me-time.
Vietnam & Cambodia
If you are looking for a break from routine, how does escaping to an exotic place sound? Actually, we have two exotic places in mind – Vietnam & Cambodia.
Vietnam is a land of stunning natural beauty. Green terraced fields, spectacular waterfalls, massive caves and Halong Bay, a sea of emerald green with limestone cliffs jutting right out of them- all of this makes Vietnam one of the most beautiful places in the world.
If Vietnam’s natural beauty captivates you, the world-famous temples of Angkor Wat in Cambodia will bowl you over with their grandeur. Its temple complexes are some of the most photographed places on the planet. The sunrise and sunset views over the majestic ruins are swoon-worthy.
Both Vietnam and Cambodia have a rich history, an amazing cuisine and friendly locals. So if you are the sort of traveller who loves discovering new places, these countries are sure to delight you.
By now, you are probably having a hard time figuring out which destination to choose. But worry not! Each of these destinations have something exciting to offer you, so pick the one that makes you happy the most. Goodness knows you’ve earned this much deserved vacation. So this Mother’s day, go ahead and claim it! 🙂
~ This blog was written by Gopal Venkatraman, author of the blog Roving Gene
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