The “let’s get out of town” long weekend guide

If you trusted those year-end horoscopes and Tarot readings and walked into 2026 with main-character energy, only to be hit with plot twists, meltdowns, and a steady stream of bad news—same.

Whatever your survival strategy has been—clinging to that under-paying job, romancing Excel sheets, aggressively healing because an AI monk told you so, or simply holding on to that (now scarce) Diet Coke can for emotional support—it’s probably worked. You are here. Kudos.

But now that we are crawling toward mid-year, it’s worth taking every chance you get to check out—mentally, physically. This might be your last chance to reset before the 39736 days of May kick in. So, pull that strategic “sick day” before the May 1-3 long weekend (no judgement, only admiration), and get out of town.

And if you haven’t booked anything yet—relax. Here are some last-minute long weekend itineraries to help you feel like a person again.

From Mumbai, travel to Pawna

What Manali is to Delhi, Lonavla is to Mumbai. It’s a short drive from the city—not when everyone you know who they know is headed in the same direction—and sorts you out with multitude of stay and food options. But we ask you to go a few kilometres away, to Pawna lake. Basically, trade traffic, noise, and chaos for open skies and sweeping views of the lake and hills. If you are an outdoorsy person you can camp by the lake—the folks at Pawna Lake Camping curate a sweet experience. Or sign up for paragliding with Temple Pilots; it’s your final shot at gliding through clear, open skies before monsoon rolls in. Or simply keep an eye out for Abbey 301’s weekend schedule to catch a live performance. For everyone else, there’s always sinking into a chair (or bed), catching up on reading, your fave show, or some ridiculous AI slop—basically everyday things but with a much better view.

How to get there: Pawna Lake is about a 3.5-hour drive away from Mumbai

Stay at: Om Anantha by Lohono Stays is the ideal stay for the views it offers—an infinity pool that overlooks the lake, what else do you want? Book here

From Delhi, travel to Binsar

This one’s not for couch lovers. The scenic town within Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttarakhand’s Kumaon region wants you to step out and see its many charms. To begin with, expect to see ruby red rhododendrons everywhere—either turning the oak forest into a sea of red or forming a red carpet on the forest floor. You can enjoy panoramic views of Himalayan peaks like Nanda Devi and Trishul from the many nature-focused retreats here or the Zero Point. Home to leopards, Himalayan bears, foxes, and over 200 bird species, Binsar is the ideal destination for safari lovers around this time of the year when the weather is just pleasant enough to head out for excursions. Here, nothing less than a glamping experience will cut it to take in what the place has to offer!

How to get there: The drive from Delhi to Binsar usually takes around nine to 10 hours, but we promise, the scenic route from the plains of Uttar Pradesh to the lush foothills of Uttarakhand will make it all worth it.

Where to stay: Make Mary Budden Estate your window to the Himalayan wilderness. While its charm and luxury offerings remain uncontested in the region, their meals come with a stunning view. The brunches in wilderness could result in a spotting of the resident leopard, and the Milky Way Dinner is set against a backdrop of starry skies. Book here

From Kolkata, travel to Darjeeling

Darjeeling doesn’t try too hard. Sitting right on the top of West Bengal, it invites you to slow down at your own pace. The sleepy city has literally got everything for every type of traveller in you. Rolling tea estates; expansive mountain views; cottage-core cafes and eateries serving everything from English breakfast, jhol momos, and roast pork; a toy train; a buzzing shopping street; and even a zoo. Of course, you could do the sunrise run to Tiger Hills or take a nostalgic ride on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway toy train, but the real draw here is everything in between. Long walks around the Chowrasta Mall, stopping only to pick some Tibetan handicrafts or food souvenirs (bamboo shoot pickles and the Himalayan cheese, churpi are a must, and tea of course), detours into tea estates like Happy Valley Tea Estate, or finishing your latest read at a tucked-away café that offers stunning Kanchenjunga mountain views—we highly recommend the iconic Glenary’s. And if slowing down is not your thing, you could put your intermittent hypoxia training to test with a trek to Sandakph, the state’s highest peak, from Manebhanjan and enjoy breathtaking views of Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, and Makalu along the way.

How to get there: Darjeeling is just a one-hour flight from the capital city.

Where to stay: While there are many homestays by the tea plantations and offering uninterrupted views of the mountains, the Makaibari Bungalow by amã Stays & Trails, perched atop a hill, feels like home, just with expansive views of the tea estate. You can enjoy Nepalese cuisine here and even pick herbs and vegetables from their organic garden. Book here

From Bengaluru, travel to Hampi

The town of Hampi is divided in two by Tungabhadra River—the temple-dense south side around and the quieter, greener north. The big sights of—Vittala Temple, Hemakuta Hill Temple Complex, and sunrise at Matanga Hill—are all within cycling or even walking distance if you don’t mind the heat. In the north, though, things slow down; with paddy fields, viewpoints and cafés that you can hop between at your own pace. Meals here range from simple South Indian thalis and crispy dosas near the bazaar, and across the river, more laid-back cafés serving banana pancakes and bougie smoothie bowls. You can take coracle rides for a little adventure or hop on to a ferry to cross the river.

How to get there: Hampi is about a six-hour drive from Bengaluru

Where to stay: Book here

From Chennai, travel to Pondicherry

We had to have a beach holiday on the list! Pondicherry is where your soft-focus montage dream comes alive. The French Quarter walks, café hopping, shopping—it’s your Goa itinerary but more...French. Journal or shop at Café des Arts or get that much-deserved croissant at Baker Street or be a beach bum at stretches like Serenity Beach and Paradise Beach, which have outgrown the Instagram frenzy and just exist now, calm and unbothered. It’s all you should aim to do for over three days at an unhurried pace.

How to get there: Pondicherry is about 3.5 hours from Chennai.

Where to stay: Palais de Mahe, the signature hotel by CGH Earth on rue de Bussy is an aesthetic in itself. Think majestic courtyard, deep verandahs and period furniture. You can experience south Indian and French flavours here. Book here