Moneycontrol PRO

HomeNewsPhotogallery

You don’t always need a passport to see the world. Sometimes, the landscapes you dream of—the snow of Switzerland, the beaches of the Maldives, the romance of Venice—exist right here at home. India, with its astonishing diversity, has a way of mirroring the world’s most iconic travel experiences in its own, soul-stirring style. (Image: Canva)

You don’t always need a passport to see the world. Sometimes, the landscapes you dream of—the snow of Switzerland, the beaches of the Maldives, the romance of Venice—exist right here at home. India, with its astonishing diversity, has a way of mirroring the world’s most iconic travel experiences in its own, soul-stirring style. (Image: Canva)

So, if your wanderlust is calling but your wallet or calendar disagrees, it’s time to look closer. From sunlit backwaters to Himalayan snowfields, here are eight Indian destinations that beautifully echo the world’s favorite travel spots—without ever leaving the country. (Image: Canva)

So, if your wanderlust is calling but your wallet or calendar disagrees, it’s time to look closer. From sunlit backwaters to Himalayan snowfields, here are eight Indian destinations that beautifully echo the world’s favorite travel spots—without ever leaving the country. (Image: Canva)

<strong>1. Skip Switzerland, Go to Gulmarg, Jammu & Kashmir</strong><br />If there’s a postcard-perfect match to the Alps, it’s Gulmarg. With snow-blanketed slopes, pine forests, and the world’s highest cable car, this Kashmiri gem is pure magic. In winter, it’s a skier’s paradise; in summer, a meadow in bloom. (Image: Canva)

1. Skip Switzerland, Go to Gulmarg, Jammu & Kashmir
If there’s a postcard-perfect match to the Alps, it’s Gulmarg. With snow-blanketed slopes, pine forests, and the world’s highest cable car, this Kashmiri gem is pure magic. In winter, it’s a skier’s paradise; in summer, a meadow in bloom. (Image: Canva)

<strong>2. Skip the Grand Canyon, Go to Gandikota, Andhra Pradesh</strong><br />Gandikota is India’s very own Grand Canyon—raw, rugged, and breathtaking. Carved by the Penna River, its ancient fort and crimson-hued gorges create a view so dramatic, it feels almost cinematic. (Image: Canva)

2. Skip the Grand Canyon, Go to Gandikota, Andhra Pradesh
Gandikota is India’s very own Grand Canyon—raw, rugged, and breathtaking. Carved by the Penna River, its ancient fort and crimson-hued gorges create a view so dramatic, it feels almost cinematic. (Image: Canva)

<strong>3. Skip Santorini, Go to Pondicherry</strong><br />Think whitewashed villas, blue doors, and a seaside promenade—Pondicherry’s French quarters bring Santorini’s romance to India’s eastern coast. Add a croissant and a bicycle ride, and you’re halfway to Greece. (Image: Canva)

3. Skip Santorini, Go to Pondicherry
Think whitewashed villas, blue doors, and a seaside promenade—Pondicherry’s French quarters bring Santorini’s romance to India’s eastern coast. Add a croissant and a bicycle ride, and you’re halfway to Greece. (Image: Canva)

<strong>4. Skip the Maldives, Go to Lakshadweep</strong><br />Azure lagoons, coral reefs, and powdery beaches—Lakshadweep feels like the Maldives, minus the crowds and luxury price tags. It’s the perfect island escape for diving, kayaking, or doing absolutely nothing at all. (Image: Canva)

4. Skip the Maldives, Go to Lakshadweep
Azure lagoons, coral reefs, and powdery beaches—Lakshadweep feels like the Maldives, minus the crowds and luxury price tags. It’s the perfect island escape for diving, kayaking, or doing absolutely nothing at all. (Image: Canva)

<strong>5. Skip Bali, Go to Gokarna, Karnataka</strong><br />Gokarna offers Bali’s spiritual calm with India’s warm coastal heart. Its golden beaches, yoga retreats, and clifftop temples make it a place to recharge your spirit—and maybe find a bit of yourself, too. (Image: Canva)

5. Skip Bali, Go to Gokarna, Karnataka
Gokarna offers Bali’s spiritual calm with India’s warm coastal heart. Its golden beaches, yoga retreats, and clifftop temples make it a place to recharge your spirit—and maybe find a bit of yourself, too. (Image: Canva)

<strong>6. Skip Venice, Go to Alleppey, Kerala</strong><br />Imagine drifting through serene waterways, palm trees mirrored in quiet lagoons. Alleppey’s houseboats offer all the romance of Venice, but with the scent of coconut curry and the song of monsoon rain. (Image: Canva)

6. Skip Venice, Go to Alleppey, Kerala
Imagine drifting through serene waterways, palm trees mirrored in quiet lagoons. Alleppey’s houseboats offer all the romance of Venice, but with the scent of coconut curry and the song of monsoon rain. (Image: Canva)

<strong>7. Skip the Sahara, Go to Jaisalmer, Rajasthan</strong><br />The Thar Desert glows gold at sunset, as camels cross the dunes and music drifts from a distant fort. Jaisalmer’s desert camps bring the adventure of the Sahara—plus centuries of royal history. (Image: Canva)

7. Skip the Sahara, Go to Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
The Thar Desert glows gold at sunset, as camels cross the dunes and music drifts from a distant fort. Jaisalmer’s desert camps bring the adventure of the Sahara—plus centuries of royal history. (Image: Canva)

<strong>8. Skip Japan, Go to Shillong, Meghalaya</strong><br />Every autumn, Shillong blushes pink as cherry blossoms bloom across its hills. The city’s Cherry Blossom Festival fills the air with music, food, and a sense of wonder that feels every bit as magical as Japan in spring. (Image: Canva)

8. Skip Japan, Go to Shillong, Meghalaya
Every autumn, Shillong blushes pink as cherry blossoms bloom across its hills. The city’s Cherry Blossom Festival fills the air with music, food, and a sense of wonder that feels every bit as magical as Japan in spring. (Image: Canva)

You don’t always need a passport to see the world. Sometimes, the landscapes you dream of—the snow of Switzerland, the beaches of the Maldives, the romance of Venice—exist right here at home. India, with its astonishing diversity, has a way of mirroring the world’s most iconic travel experiences in its own, soul-stirring style. (Image: Canva)

So, if your wanderlust is calling but your wallet or calendar disagrees, it’s time to look closer. From sunlit backwaters to Himalayan snowfields, here are eight Indian destinations that beautifully echo the world’s favorite travel spots—without ever leaving the country. (Image: Canva)

<strong>1. Skip Switzerland, Go to Gulmarg, Jammu & Kashmir</strong><br />If there’s a postcard-perfect match to the Alps, it’s Gulmarg. With snow-blanketed slopes, pine forests, and the world’s highest cable car, this Kashmiri gem is pure magic. In winter, it’s a skier’s paradise; in summer, a meadow in bloom. (Image: Canva)

<strong>2. Skip the Grand Canyon, Go to Gandikota, Andhra Pradesh</strong><br />Gandikota is India’s very own Grand Canyon—raw, rugged, and breathtaking. Carved by the Penna River, its ancient fort and crimson-hued gorges create a view so dramatic, it feels almost cinematic. (Image: Canva)

<strong>3. Skip Santorini, Go to Pondicherry</strong><br />Think whitewashed villas, blue doors, and a seaside promenade—Pondicherry’s French quarters bring Santorini’s romance to India’s eastern coast. Add a croissant and a bicycle ride, and you’re halfway to Greece. (Image: Canva)

<strong>4. Skip the Maldives, Go to Lakshadweep</strong><br />Azure lagoons, coral reefs, and powdery beaches—Lakshadweep feels like the Maldives, minus the crowds and luxury price tags. It’s the perfect island escape for diving, kayaking, or doing absolutely nothing at all. (Image: Canva)

<strong>5. Skip Bali, Go to Gokarna, Karnataka</strong><br />Gokarna offers Bali’s spiritual calm with India’s warm coastal heart. Its golden beaches, yoga retreats, and clifftop temples make it a place to recharge your spirit—and maybe find a bit of yourself, too. (Image: Canva)

<strong>6. Skip Venice, Go to Alleppey, Kerala</strong><br />Imagine drifting through serene waterways, palm trees mirrored in quiet lagoons. Alleppey’s houseboats offer all the romance of Venice, but with the scent of coconut curry and the song of monsoon rain. (Image: Canva)

<strong>7. Skip the Sahara, Go to Jaisalmer, Rajasthan</strong><br />The Thar Desert glows gold at sunset, as camels cross the dunes and music drifts from a distant fort. Jaisalmer’s desert camps bring the adventure of the Sahara—plus centuries of royal history. (Image: Canva)

<strong>8. Skip Japan, Go to Shillong, Meghalaya</strong><br />Every autumn, Shillong blushes pink as cherry blossoms bloom across its hills. The city’s Cherry Blossom Festival fills the air with music, food, and a sense of wonder that feels every bit as magical as Japan in spring. (Image: Canva)

Advisory Alert: It has come to our attention that certain individuals are representing themselves as affiliates of Moneycontrol and soliciting funds on the false promise of assured returns on their investments. We wish to reiterate that Moneycontrol does not solicit funds from investors and neither does it promise any assured returns. In case you are approached by anyone making such claims, please write to us at grievanceofficer@nw18.com or call on 02268882347