Look, we get it. You’re itching to go on a holiday, but are at a loss about where and how to start planning your vacation. if you are planning to go out on a bike then you must have an axel off road trail helmet which will give you safety

If you have children or senior citizens in your group, it can be pretty stressful to keep track of places that offer the most bang for your buck while also maintaining hygiene practices. 

While governments have recommended that you should avoid all non-essential travel, a little vacay therapy—if done safely—is possible. Travel bookings are on the rise, especially the humble bus booking, as people search for short getaways from home. 

If you need some inspiration on where to start, here’s 4 safe destinations worth a visit right now: 

Mandu: Afghan heritage in the heart of India

Madhya Pradesh has a cinematic mix of history and natural beauty, and is a pleasant getaway during the monsoons and winter. While you might know Gwalior, Indore and Bhopal, have you heard of ancient Mandu?

Also known as Mandav, this is a fort city in northern MP, with countless tombs, palaces, gardens and mausoleums to explore—an instant peep into central India’s Afghan past. Mandu boasts a staggering 60-plus ASI-recognized monuments in the area!

Before the pandemic, up to 5,000 tourists visited Mandu every day. This dropped to 500 in August-end. Combined with the fact that it’s all open-air complexes, tourists today should face a low risk of viral transmission on their visit. And don’t worry about your stay—all State Tourism Development Corporation hotels and resorts opened up in June, plus there are several private resorts dotting the area. Do read through the state’s pandemic policies for tourists before your visit. 

Top locations: Jahaz Mahal, Rani Roopmati Palace, Jami Masjid, Baz Bahadur’s Palace

Route: RatlamJn is the nearest railhead (132km) to Mandu; Indore is the nearest airport (approx. 96km); and for abus booking, hop onto state transport buses from Indore. The Gangwal and Sarawate bus stands offer direct buses to Mandu. 

Arunachal Pradesh: nature’s raw beauty

Spot flying squirrels, rare orchids and the endangered red panda; enjoy the gurgle of pristine streams and crisp mountain air; connect with your spiritual side at monasteries and the Giant Buddha of Tawang; and feel the thrill of adventure with whitewater rafting and gorgeous treks. You could even catch trout and mahseer for lunch in the Subansiri River!

The hilly state opened up to tourism with a list of guidelines in October, allowing travellers on pre-booked package tours available only through local tours operators. 

All tourist transport and ground services, like pick up/drop, has to be via authorised local travel agents and tour operators. You also have to carry:

• A Covid-19 negative certificate (RTPCRor True NAT test), secured a maximum of 72 hours before your date of arrival. 
• An Inner Line Permit
• Details of your guide and driver
• Tour itineraries and vehicle details
• Tour booking slips

Top locations: Itanagar, Ziro Valley, Tawang Monastery, Sela Pass, Namdapha, Nuranang Waterfall, Dibang Valley

Route: You can’t book a direct flight ticket to Arunachal Pradesh. North Lakhimpur’sLilabari Airport (Assam) is the closest to AP’s capital, Itanagar (72km), after which you can book a state transport bus or a private car. Lilabari hosts 4 flights a week, so if you want a higher frequency, opt for Guwahati Airport in Assam. It is 315km from Itanagar, which takes about 8hrs to reach by road. 

A road or rail journey offers the most mesmerising introduction to the state. Naharlagun (15km) is the nearest railway station to Itanagar, followed by Harmuti (34km) in Assam. For an online bus booking, try APSTS buses connect Tezpur, Shillong, Guwahati and Dimapur to Itanagar. If you’re a skilled driver who can navigate winding mountain roads, a self-drive via National Highways 52, 15 and 415 is possible. 

Maldives: your lazy beach paradise

This archipelago in the Arabian Sea needs no introduction, so we’ll immediately jump to the most exciting (and socially distant!) activities here. Take day trips around the over 1000 coral islands—helicopter rides are an option; snorkel with sea turtles across reefs in Hanifaru Bay; and have a fairytale evening at the Glowing Beach of Vaadhoo Island. Popularly called the ‘sea of stars’, Vaadhoo has bioluminescent plankton that glow in the dark to naturally light up the shoreline. 

You could also just beat the stress of COVID by lounging in water bungalows and white sand beaches, but since travel is a rare opportunity these days, try to make the most of your visit!

The island nation removed all tourist restrictions this July. Till November 16, Maldives reportedly saw over 400,000 visitors enjoying its scenic beauty while following strict hygiene policies. 

Find all open resorts, yacht marinas, guesthouses and transit facilities here. All COVID-19 updates are here, and this guide has everything you need to know about planning, arriving and enjoying sunny Maldives during the pandemic.

Top locations: Male Atoll, Ari Atoll, HukuruMiskiy (the mosque is made of coral stones!), sunset at Kuramathi, MaayaThila for scuba diving

Route: Domestic carriers have nonstop and connecting flights from major Indian cities to the Maldives. A nonstop flight from India takes between 2 to 2.5 hours to reach the island nation.

And if you can’t leave your city…

Have a long, lazy picnic at its biggest gardens and green spaces! Stretch your legs, play outdoor games, pet some furry dogs, and soak in the winter sun. Parks maintained by trusts and government bodies are good (and clean) socially distant recreational spots for a small group. You also get to know your city’s urban wildlife a little better. They offer ample air circulation, lack high-touch objects, and aren’t crowded if you visit during off-hours. Some even have a monument or two inside!

Top locations: Sunder Nursery, Sanjay Van and big DDA parks in New Delhi; Eco Park and Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden in Kolkata; Company Garden in Alwar, Rajasthan; Pu La Deshpande Udyan in Pune; Madhavaram Botanical Garden in Chennai; Jawahar Circle Garden in Jaipur; Gomti Riverfront Park in Lucknow; and Priyadarshini Park and Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Mumbai. 

There you have it—four unique ways you can unwind after being cooped up at home during the coronavirus pandemic. We hope you have a wonderful journey!