Udaipur: Udaipur, the city of Lakes, often finds itself in the list of best cities in the world as well as best city to visit in various travel listicles across the world. A trip to Udaipur is full of grandeur and royalty and travellers can take a slice of royalty from this fairy tale. This ethereal city is full of architectural masterpieces and magnificent forts and palaces. It is fondly labelled as the the Venice of the East owing to the gorgeous lakes, idealistic atmosphere and pleasant weather.

A trip to Udaipur is likely to transport you back to princely times and leave your camera memory full with splendid photographs. City Palace, Lake Palace Udaipur, Jag Mandir Palace, and Maharana Pratap Memorial are some of the few must see attractions.

Jaisalmer: The small town of Jaisalmer, located in the north-western state of Rajasthan seems like a page out of an artist’s book. Jaisalmer, often referred as the Golden City because of its gigantic fort and houses and buildings built of finely carved yellow-brown sandstone, is a sight to behold for one and all. The golden hued houses over golden sand, shining in the bright daylight give the entire city a golden tinge. The quaint and laidback town is referred to as the jewel in the heart of Thar.

Weather conditions in this area remain extreme, where days tend to be unbearably hot and night tend to be pleasant and cooler. Summer months see a drastic drop in the number of tourists due to unbearably hot weather making winters the only time to visit this area.

Gulmarg: A sojourn to Gulmarg in winters is a delightful experience in itself. It receives heavy snowfall in the winter months and the entire place is engulfed in a blanket of snow. Various ski competitions are held and tourists throng the area to experience the splendid beauty of the winter season Gulmarg sees tourists throughout the year; during summer months travellers come here to get a respite from the sun; winters are an opportunity to enjoy snow and indulge in snow fights.

Rann of Kutch: Rann of Kutch is a massive expanse of earth, in the north western state of Gujarat which is likely to take anyone’s breath away. The absolute vastness and nothingness of white sand dunes is both spectacular and spine chilling at the same time. The Rann of Kutch is a part of the great Thar Desert. The winter months from October to February are an adequate time to visit as the temperature is pleasant and fluctuates between 12- 25 degree Celsius. The reflection of the moon on the vast white sand converts this white desert into a fairyland. Besides, the prominent Rann Utsav during the months of November to February offers a unique and luxurious escapade to someone looking for an offbeat experience.

Goa: Goa is the ultimate party destination for the youngsters. A short visit to this beach paradise is like an indulgence for your senses. Apart from enjoying the pristine beaches here, there are numerous activities to look forward to. The Portuguese influenced architecture, lovely churches, exotic spice farms accompanied with bustling music festivals are likely to keep anyone craving for more. No matter how many times a person visits this coastal city or how many days a person spends here, they’ll always wish to stay a little bit more.

Puducherry: The best time to visit the coastal town of Pondicherry are the winter months of November to March. Winters in this erstwhile French colony are moderate, full of sunlight and occasional rain showers. The moderate climate during winter season makes sightseeing a delight and also makes way for visitors to indulge in a variety of water sports like diving, parasailing and snorkelling. Moreover, the International Yoga Festival is held during the winter months attracting fitness enthusiasts from all parts of the world.

Hampi: The mystic town of Hampi stands on the banks of Tungabhadra River in the southern state of Karnataka. The famous history, marvellous temples, and its captivating ruins attract people from far and wide. This small historical wonderland is widely known for its ruins that date back to the medieval Hindu kingdom of Vijayanagar and is designated as a World Heritage site. Spirituality, history, and art are intertwined and allow you to enjoy your vacation with numerous attractions in Hampi. Whether you are a photography enthusiast, inclined towards history, spiritual seeker or solo traveller, the town mesmerises you with it’s historical charm. Now a UNESCO world heritage site, Hampi holds the distinction of being the capital city of the erstwhile Vijaynagar Empire, the last non-Muslim empire in Southern India. Once the empire collapsed, the imposing ruins of the empire stand to tell a tale; astonishing the Portuguese and Arabs in the yesteryears, and every visitor who visits this place even today.

Pahalgam: Pahalgam, a small town in the northern most state of Jammu and Kashmir deserves a trip for its lovely snow-clad mountains. The modest scenic town of Pahalgam is situated at the meeting point of two rivers; Lidder and Seshnag surrounded by picturesque meadows. Visitors often fall short of words to describe the beauty of this place. Pahalgam receives snow during the months of October to February.

The temperature falls to minus degrees making commutation a challenge and unbearably cold for the visitors. Yet, the surreal snow-clad mountains with rough terrain makes it worth the visit.

Munnar: The surreal landscapes of Munnar speak for themselves with lush green landscapes tucked in the coastal state of Kerela. A favoured spot for many couples it holds the distinction of being the top honeymoon destination in India. It was the Scottish planters discovered Munnar but it became a major plantation area for some of the finest varieties of tea during the British period. The is quaint town is replete with natural beauty and is often referred to as the quieter cousin of the more touristy hill station of Ooty.

Agra: Agra is regarded as one of the most romantic cities in world and holds a place of archaeological significance as it is the home of the Taj Mahal. Agra, located on the banks of the river Yamuna, has become synonymous with the Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world. Yet, the city has so much more to offer. The opulent Mughal forts (like Qila-i-Akbari), labyrinth of bazaars (Sadar Bazaar), symmetrical gardens (Mehtab Bagh) are worth a visit. The city undeniably has an alluring charm that multiplies manifold with the winter mist.

A trip to this city is not complete without devouring the sumptuous local food. Piping hot paranthas along with dallops of butter and spicy pickle taste like heaven of a winter morning. The world famous petha available in assorted flavours makes for a perfect takeaway for any visitor here.