Mumbai rains, waterlogged streets, street food, beaches, the hustle and bustle of the local trains, and a never say die spirit of Mumbaikars have all fascinated me. Not to mention the Gandhi topi of the Dabbawalas and the black and yellow taxis. But even a true blue Mumbaikar wishes to move out of Mumbai for the weekend to escape the blaring horns of vehicles and the humdrum everyday routine. While I have explored most of these destinations myself, I have got a detailed version of the rest from friends and family who have beaten me in visiting these first. You can take your pick from these as all of them are at a drivable distance from Mumbai and would not need you to cook up an excuse for a leave.
- Khandala (80 km)
It would be a blasphemy to not include Khandala in this list, if not for your love for the famous Bollywood number, then for your love for picturesque and serene destinations. I know it is a cliché but then you cannot discount its beauty and the fact that Khandala is more like a pilgrimage for anyone staying in Mumbai; a place which needs to be visited a few times in a year. There is hiking to do at Tiger’s Point, Lion’s Point, and Rajmachi Fort when you are not busy clicking pictures of the lush green hills and valleys. I go there for my love for Chikkis!
- Panchgani ( 245 km)
Lined with hills on one side with a coastal setting on the other, every spot in Panchgani is a visual delight. The landscape is akin to the gorgeous pictures you see in fancy coffee table books. Table Land which is the second highest table top mountain in Asia is in Panchgani and if your stars are favorably aligned you might even spot some of your favorite celebrities shooting a movie or two here. I always come back with a fresh pick of strawberries from here along with a horde of marmalade and squash bottles.
- Karjat (62 km)
Not all weekend travelers are content with simply soaking in the picturesque surroundings or watching the waves touching their toes while they ate sitting at a beach or at the top of a hill. Some of us are adventure junkies too who are looking for adventure activities to let out the pent up energy of a week when the maximum activity was walking from the desk to the coffee machine. Karjat has a bunch of activities that you can try but it would be super fun if your whole girl gang or boy squad tried them out together. Trekking up to Perth Fort or Chanderi Fort and river rafting or parasailing at Ulhas River should make it to your itinerary. I am not the adventurous sorts, and so had spent my time exploring the Kondana Caves while my friends were screaming their guts out and enjoying rafting.
- Alibaug (95 km)
The place has great beaches, not that Mumbai has any dearth of these, but these beaches are quite different from the ones you have in Mumbai as they are quieter and cleaner. Kihim beach and Nagaon beach, Kankneshwar and Vikram Vinayak temple, along with Hirakot fort are what you should cover when in Alibaug. I usually take the ferry but you if you love a good drive you can take a road trip. Nothing like listening to good music with the car windows rolled down and the wind blowing through your hair.
- Igatpuri ( 120 km)
When I feel like look doing some soul-searching or introspection is on my mind, I head to the Vipassana center in Igatpuri which is totally a worthwhile way of spending the weekend. Close to the city and offering mesmerizing locales, Igatpuri also has hills, peaks, and valleys that will keep you spellbound if you are not keen on meditation.
- Kashid Beach (125 km)
This Konkan beach welcomes you with its serenity and white sand making you instantly take a liking to it. My love for beaches makes me go down to Kashid which incidentally is also known for the ruins of the ancient Portuguese Revdanda Fort. The cannon ball-shaped holes in the walls of this fort make for a good place to get your pictures clicked and to get a glimpse into the history associated with it. My love for the flora and fauna also pulled me to the Phansad Bird Sanctuary, the last time I was there.
I have a long list of places that need to be explored by me still but my friends who have been there have recounted tales of the dollops of fun they have had there. Places like Kolad, Kamshet, Murud Janjira, Bhandardara, and Bhimashankar are some of them.
