“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”
Saint Augustine
Don’t we all miss travelling and just plain old moving?
With the threat of this pandemic and quarantine blues looming over our head, it is now more than ever that wanderlust seems to be hitting us. I am sure each and every one of us wants to just hit the roads and travel somewhere and not come back for a few days. Well, given the circumstances we cannot for obvious reasons. We can, however, plan for where one wants to go once the lockdown is lifted. The world is full of beautiful places and I am sure all of you will agree with me when I say that it is an honour to have the opportunity to see some of these marvels.
I come from the hills, and thus, hill stations will always be special to me. Here are some of these wonderful places to travel post-lockdown.
Patnitop, Jammu And Kashmir
This is a hill station in Jammu and Kashmir. It is a beautiful wonderland full of tall, sprouting trees that make you feel as if you are in a movie. The cold and the peculiarity of this beautiful place is a wonderful respite during the summers and the day to day rush of the city.
If you want a short trip, then Patnitop is the place for you. But a trip to Patnitop would be incomplete without hitting Nathatop. Nathatop – a place up the hills is to put in words a paradise on earth. You can walk uphill or downhill or you can find small hills and lie down and stargaze. Play some music and let the stars take over the sky and you too.
Oh, and if you do visit Patnitop, remember to have the Chicken Noodle soup and Maggi. Winter nights and chicken noodle soup in your hotel room is the perfect way to end the day.
Dharamkot, Himachal Pradesh
This place is a few kilometres away from McLeod Ganj. The best part about this place is not just the weather, but the food as well. The place is basically a road winding up to reveal an array of cafes. My teenage was made a hundred times better because of my stay at Dharamkot. It is responsible for so many happy moments.
If you decide on traveling here, do try the carrot cake, apple crumble pie, burgers, and of course momos from different cafés. Almost every café has a distinctive touch which they make sure to infuse in their food. Take a stroll down the pathway in the evening and hit a café. Drink coffee, eat some fries and a burger and do your thing. Dharamkot is just waiting to be explored and it will not disappoint you.
Pahalgam, Jammu And Kashmir
This hill station in Kashmir is what dreams are made up of. It is just wilderness in its truest form, away from the city, away from the mindless pursuit of happiness in cities. This place hugs you tight; mountains all around and the Lidder river flowing down. It is the perfect escape from all tensions and worries. The meadows wind down and hurl in your lap immense beauty and peace. The bliss all around is going to calm your nerves. Stay in a cottage. Stroll down the streets. Do eat the local fish. The carrot cake of some restaurants is to die for.
Gulmarg, Jammu And Kashmir
The Pir Panjal ranges grace us with their presence in the form of this beautiful hill station. The winter land is like a place out of a storybook. Picture this: snow all around, tall trees, skiing, adventure sports, good food, and countless memories. It sounds like a perfect vision, doesn’t it? Gulmarg is like a beautiful piece of writing: adorned with flowers that can not only be seen but can be felt in the air, the greenery that makes your heart go fonder, and the snow-capped mountains that are perfect for romance and horror stories too!
Bhaderwah, Jammu And Kashmir
Bhaderwah boasts of comfort throughout your stay here. The people of Bhaderwah open their houses to tourists from around the country and welcome you with warmth and love that you would not normally associate with a stranger. More than that, the best part about Bhaderwah is that it is not your normal tourist spot. Its flora and fauna are well protected. It is a beautiful valley that rolls endlessly and is an expanse of lush greenery and is adorned with flowers. The weather will not disappoint you either. This cold valley welcomes everyone with open arms.
Manali, Himachal Pradesh
Manali is one of the best places to travel post-lockdown. You might have already visited this beauty on Earth but I feel no matter the number of times you visit the place, there is still so much left to uncover. This time, go café hopping, trekking, and try out the adventure sports that have been on your bucket list since forever. After all, if the pandemic and social distancing have taught us anything, it is that life is too short to miss out on things and not explore.
So, explore to your heart’s desire. Find a nice café or a restaurant and sketch, read, and of course, eat a lot. The food is to die for. I have found some of the best tiramisus in Manali.
I know reading this will make you long for the outside. We have to believe that we are one step closer to the good. Soon, this shall be over and we will be hustling and bustling again. If this lockdown period has taught us anything, it is the importance and freedom to move and explore. Post lockdown, travel and venture off to look for the unknown and explore to your heart’s desire. Hopefully, we will get to experience the joys and mysteries of the world soon as is propounded in this quote,
“The gladdest moment in human life is a departure into unknown lands.”
Sir Richard Burton
Read Also: 5 Hacks That Will Make Traveling Convenient.
