Where to go camping in India and abroad & more travel tips for 2024

A trek in the Himalayas or rest and recreation in an Ayurvedic spa in Kerala - take your pick of the best places to holiday in, based on the season and your interests. (Image credit: Andrei Tanase via Pexels)

Thinking of ways to satisfy your wanderlust over a long weekend or carve out time during the kids' summer vacation for an educational yet fun trip? Read our list of 10 recommendations to travel solo or with family:

1. Camping let's you pause and connect with nature. You can make your camping trip as adventurous or relaxing as you like. Consider these six places for a camping trip in India or abroad: Rishikesh, Uttarakhand (well-loved destination for yoga, meditation, and finding spiritual peace; camp on the bank of the Ganga, to see some of the clearest river waters in India); Bhutan (Land of the Thunder Dragon, with awe-inspiring mountain views, monasteries, and rich culture); Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh; Lake Tekapo, New Zealand; Yosemite National Park, US (hike to Half Dome or Glacier Point to see the park's unique plant and animal life); finally, Andaman and Nicobar Islands (beautiful beaches, coral reefs, and verdant rainforests; try snorkelling and scuba diving around the islands)

2. India and foreign trips to introduce children to the theatre: Consider these six vibrant cities, both in India and abroad, that offer unique theatre experiences designed specifically for younger audiences: Delhi (National School of Drama hosts productions ideal for young minds); London (see high-quality plays for children at The Polka Theatre and the Little Angel Theatre); Mumbai (visit Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre,  Prithvi Theatre and the NCPA); New York City (many Broadway theatres host professional productions for children), Sydney (Try The Wharf 1 Theatre and the Sydney Theatre Company); Singapore (the Young People's Performing Arts Ensemble [YPPAE] and the Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay regularly host children's theatre performances).

3. Finest Indian and international destinations for a rejuvenating holiday: ​​Kerala (beautiful landscapes including backwaters, a network of canals, lakes, and rivers; take a relaxing cruise on a traditional houseboat or visit one of the many Ayurvedic centres for massage therapy, yoga sessions, and nourishing food); Bali, Indonesia (spectacular beaches, delectable food, and vibrant culture; unwind on the picturesque beaches, explore rice paddies, go for yoga retreats or simply relax in the nature spas); ​​Udaipur (tranquil lakes, regal palaces, and lively culture; go boating in lake Pichola, explore the palaces or visit the nearby forts); Bhutan (awe-inspiring natural landscapes, rich culture, and delicious food; go for meditation retreats);  Switzerland (breathtaking Alpine scenery, quaint villages, and scrumptious chocolate)

4. Best Indian and international places for an adventurous trip: These adventure destinations in India and abroad will surely get your adrenaline pumping:

Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, is known as the Adventure Capital of India. You can go white water rafting on the Ganga or do bungee jumping or go hiking or mountain biking in the Himalayas.

In Queenstown, New Zealand, go bungee jumping off the Kawarau Bridge, white water rafting on the Shotover River, skydiving over surreal natural landscapes, or skiing down majestic mountain slopes.

In Andaman and Nicobar Islands, try underwater adventures from scuba diving to snorkelling; or go kayaking surrounded by mangrove forests.

​​Icelandic glaciers, volcanoes, and geothermal hot springs offer options from hiking on glaciers to exploring ice caves, or strolling through distinctive volcanic landscapes; kayaking and white water rafting are well-loved activities too.

Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir is a dream setting for mountain lovers. Medium-difficulty to tough treks; mountain bike ride; and white water rafting on the Zanskar River are among the top adventure picks here.

In Costa Rica, go white water rafting on the Pacuare River, hike through rainforests, or zipline through the jungles.

5. Best wildlife reserves in India and abroad: Visit Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan (tigers, leopards, nilgai, hyenas, wild boars, and sambar deer); Kruger National Park, South Africa (lions, elephants, leopards, rhinos, and cheetahs); Kaziranga National Park, Assam (one-horned rhinoceros, as well as elephants, tigers, and a variety of birds); Serengeti National Park, Tanzania (spotting lions, leopards, elephants, zebras, and giraffes); Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh (tigers, barasingha or swamp deer, leopards, dholes (wild dogs), and sloth bears); Yellowstone National Park, US (grizzly bears, wolves, bison, elk, and bald eagles; also visit the hot springs here); Periyar National Park, Kerala (tigers, elephants, and Indian gaur; also see a range of colourful birds, reptiles, and amphibians on boat rides of the Periyar Lake).

6. Finest off-the-beaten-path places in India to visit for summer holidays: Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh; Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh; Munnar, Kerala; Coorg, Karnataka; Auli, Uttarakhand; and Mawlynnong, Meghalaya.

7. Must-see festivals in India and abroad: Holi (usually in March); Rio de Janeiro Carnival, Brazil (before Lent); Durga Puja (October-November); La Tomatina, Buñol, Spain (last Wednesday of August); Diwali (October - November); Songkran, Thailand (April)

7. Guide to Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, where Gadar 2 was extensively filmed: Palampur in the Kangra Valley of Himachal Pradesh, is often referred to as the tea capital of India. It is well-connected by road to other cities in Himachal Pradesh and North India. The closest airport is Gaggal Airport in Kangra, about 20 kilometres from Palampur. Numerous taxis and cabs are available from the airport to take you to Palampur. While in Palampur:

- Take a stroll or bike ride through the expansive tea gardens. Wah Tea Estate offer tours and tastings.

- Explore the nearby Kangra Fort, a historic fort which provides unobstructed views of the surrounding valley.

- Go for a hike in the Dhauladhar mountains. There are a number of trails to choose from, ranging from easy treks to tough expeditions.

- Check out the Tashi Jong Monastery, a beautiful Tibetan Buddhist monastery situated on the outskirts of Palampur.

The best time to visit Palampur is from March to June and September to November. During these months, the weather is pleasant and perfect for sightseeing.

8. Where all was the movie Animal filmed?: Manali, Himachal Pradesh; Mumbai, Maharashtra; Gurugram, Haryana (Pataudi Palace); New Delhi
(Miranda House College and various spots in Old Delhi); England and Scotland)

9. Where was Dune: Part Two filmed?: ​​Filming for Dune: Part Two took place across a number of global locations to bring the fictional desert planet Arrakis and other settings to life. Here’s a round up of some of the places: Wadi Rum, Jordan; Budapest, Hungary; Liwa Oasis, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Altivole, Treviso, Italy; Namibia.

10. Best places to celebrate Holi: Vrindavan: Visit Banke Bihari Temple, to play with coloured powder and flowers. Lathmar Holi is played in Barsana, close to Vrindavan, where women playfully chase men with sticks.
Mathura, Uttar Pradesh
Mathura, which is also considered as the birthplace of Lord Krishna, is visited for its traditional Holi celebrations. The primary celebrations are held at the Dwarkadheesh Temple, where people rejoice with coloured powder and water balloons.
Jaipur, Rajasthan
The Pink City comes alive with vibrancy during Holi. The celebrations here are awe-inspiring, with grand processions, elephant rides, and folk music performances. While in Jaipur, also witness the burning of the Holika bonfire that symbolises the triumph of good over evil.
Pushkar, Rajasthan
Pushkar hosts a distinctive Holi experience. The celebrations here take place alongside the Pushkar Lake, where people take a holy dip before partaking in the merriment.
Shantiniketan, West Bengal
Holi in Shantiniketan is a more quiet affair as compared to other regions of India. Here, the festival is known as Basant Utsav, which translates to the ‘Festival of Spring.’ The revelry is marked by classic folk dances, music shows, and poetry performances
Udaipur, Rajasthan
Holi in Udaipur is a regal affair. The festivities feature colourful processions, cultural dances, and boat rides on scenic Lake Pichola.