The Trip celebrates its 20th week

Palm Beach Resort, Manori
What: This is an ideal getaway for those leisurely office picnics and college escapades. Laze around in hammocks, take a dip in the pool or gaze at the sea from a tree house.
Call: 28452928, www.palmbeachmanori.com

Tourists enjoying the laidback pace of Matheran, minusu00a0vehicular traffic.

2. For a sandy retreat

Head to: Madh Island
The best bit about Madh is that it gives you an under-1 hour getaway by a reasonably clean beach. A quaint fishing village off Malad, it offers a tranquil seaside. The adventurous can trek to the quaint Portuguese church or the Madh Fort nearby.
Call: The Retreat, 28808333u00a0

3. pollution-free,u00a0dirt-cheap Getaway

Head to: Vakratund guesthouse, Matheran
If you are looking to escape from the scorching heat, minus the bustle of traffic, head to Matheran ufffd India's only vehicle-free hill station. Check in to this guesthouse for a quiet retreat at rates as low as Rs 400 per head for a night!
Call: 9869947122

Weekend travellers relaxing at the sea shore, near Manori's Palm Beach

4. Become a Beach Bum

Head to: Bordi, north Konkan
Tired of driving down the Konkan coast in search of that secluded beach? Bordi, barely 3.5 hours, off the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway, is what the doctor ordered ufffd clean sandy strip, safe waters sans crowds, garish hotels and honking cars. The lone MTDC hotel that fronts the beach is your best bet, so book in advance.
Call: 2284 5678, Toll free 1800 233 5050

5. De-stress with a Doc

Head to: Doctor's Farm, Kolad
Doctor's Farm on the old Mumbai-Pune Highway is situated on the banks of the Kundalika River, off Kolad. This 15-acre space is home to a farmhouse, cradled in thickly forested hills. Go bird spotting or orchard hopping for cashews, chickoos, pineapples, bananas, cinnamon and pepper.u00a0u00a0
Call: 9322644510, www.doctorsfarm.com

Bordi beach

6. Get hooked to Angling

Head to: Powai Lake
The Maharashtra State Angling Association has houseboats in Powai Lake, and members' families can come along. Angling is done throughout the year, and even at night.
Call: 26364270, www.msaapowai.tripod.com

7. Hide in a private forest

Head to: Durshet Forest Lodge, Raigad
Durshet Forest Lodge is situated on a small hill top surrounded by 35 acres of natural forest, on the banks of River Amba. A natural waterfall is the highlight. Pali and Mahad Ashtavinayak Temples are located nearby.
Call: 9422673854, durshet@naturetrails.in

Angling at Powai Lake makes for a peaceful escape

8. Be a Daredevil

Head to: Della Adventures, Lonavala
With over 42 different adventure sports to choose from, this is a ticket for the daredevil variety. Choose from motocross dirt biking, artificial rock climbing, parasailing, paragliding,
zorbing and jet skiing.
Call: 9870989369, www.dellaadventure.com

9. For a Hair-raising Ride

Head to: Esselworld, Borivali
Aptly called Monsters in the Mist, Esselworld's scary new ride is tailor-made for thrill demons. This four-minute ride takes you through a dark den clogged with fog and hidden monsters.u00a0
Call: 65280305, www.monstersinthemist.inu00a0

Paragliding at Kamshet

10. Foru00a0a Glimpse of the Indian Hornbill

Head to: Tapola River Camp, Koyna
A small hamlet along the backwaters of Koyna River, Tapola offers a fantastic view of the Koyna and Solshi Rivers, and due its proximity to a deep forest, Tapola is often called Mini Kashmir.
Call: 2378 210251, www.tapola.in

11. For A bird's eye view

Head to: Kamshet
The wind is in your hair, and when you muster enough courage to peer down, it's like looking over Toyland. Don wings for the weekend as you go paragliding at Kamshet, just 110 kilometres from Mumbai. Tandem paragliding joyrides and learning programme on offer.
Call: Nirvana Adventures, Kamshet, 26053724, www.flynirvana.com,u00a0

Dabhosa Waterfall

12. Swing like Tarzan

Head to: Nandgaon
This sleepy village on the Kashid-Murud stretch houses a 1-acre coconut palm grove overlooking the beach and the Nandgaon Bay. Choose from coconut tree climbing, Tarzan swinging, para sailing and a ride on a banana boat. The Murud-Janjira Fort and Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary are close at hand.u00a0
Call: 9833160997, www.hansadventure.com,u00a0

13. Duck under a 300-feet Waterfall

Head to: Dabhosa Waterfall, Jawhar
Jawhar region is known for the many waterfalls that dot the landscape once the rains set in. Dabhosa Waterfall is one of the largest in the state.u00a0 Waterfall trails are organised between July and September.
Call: 9987126233, junglelore@gmail.com

Ellora Caves

14. For a Taste of Royalty

Head to: Fort Jadhavgadh Hotel, Pune
Old world charm meets modern day glory at a heritage hotel located 22 kms away from Pune, on the old Pune-Satara Road. Nestled in the Saswad hills, 2,511 ft above sea level, this resort gives you a glimpse of the past with its open courtyards, isolated dungeons, antique museum, full-service spa and swimming pool.
Call: 26164040 Ext 3621, www.fortjadhavgadh.com

15. For a live History Class

Head to: Ajanta-Ellora Caves
Gape at rock-cut cave monuments that are part of the UNESCO World Heritage site. These masterpieces of Buddhist religious art make for a memorable travel back in time.
Call: Hotel Kailas, boutique hotel that faces the Ellora Caves, 02437-244543u00a0

Mahalaxmi Race Course offers excellent courses for beginners

16. Gasp at South's Taj Mahal

Head to: Bibi ka Maqbara, Aurangabad
While you are biding time in Aurangabad en route to the Ajanta-Ellora circuit, take out half a day to explore Aurangzeb's version of the Taj Mahal. Unfairly dubbed the 'Poor Man's Taj', this spectacular site is a landscaped marvel, in a walled area of 1,37,000 sq. feet.

17. Trace origins of Warli Art

Head to: Vikramgad, Wada
The tribal art form is said to have originated in Vikramgad. A popular route taken by nature enthusiasts is from Vikramgad to Bhupatgad through the Pinjal River Valley, au00a0 major centre for adventure sports.
Call: 09860696429, email@rohanwaterpark.in

Volunteering can be fun

18. Get your slice of Paithan

Head to: 101, Avon Classic, opposite Tata S.S.L, Datta Pada Road, Borivli (E)
Get your very own Paithani silk sari with a zari pallav at Nupur Designs. Set up by Sunita Nagpure, an Arts graduate from SNDT University, she works with 15 weavers. Minus middlemen, she's able to bring you the authentic craft for just Rs 4,000!
Call: 28542109, www.nupurpaithani.com

19. Giddy up with Mumbai's Thoroughbreds

Head to: Mahalaxmi Race Course
Did Seabiscuit stir the horse sense in you? Saddle up and canter across to the Riding Club at Mumbai's Race Course for a beginner's course at the Amateur Rider's Club. It's fun, a great way to learn a hobby and an absolute treat if you are an animal lover.
Contact: 65278987, www.arcmumbai.com/equestrian.html

20. Get down and dirty for a cause

Head to: Any city-based NGO
What better time than the summer holidays to sign up for a volunteer vacation. It's easy to find your cause, be it street kids, women in distress, animals or the environment. Most city's NGOs welcome volunteers; depending on your skill set, there's plenty waiting for you to do.
Log on to: mumbaionline.in/Society/NGOs/ for a detailed list of NGOs

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