The wait for rain has never been this agonizing and as the rain Gods wait to give us a real and massive thundershower,it may be the right time to consider a quick weekend breaks,free of power cuts,and not too far from home to spare the ordeal of travelling. Irrespective of whether we have a smashing monsoon or not,resorts are attempting to lure us with interesting deals,cheap tickets and free spa packages. Only a two-hour (120 km) drive from Chandigarh is the Citrus County near Hoshiarpur,where you can enjoy the pitter-patter and also a mango festival. The countys monsoon package is designed to give you a feel of country life in luxury tents! Its a two-day package,which offers both comfort and activity, Harkirat Ahluwalia offers a stay at the farm,gorging on chilled mangoes,taking a dip in the pool,a farm visit,village safari,mango plucking,a game of table tennis and barbecue nights! They have air-conditioned tents and also rooms in the main villa and a two-day stay,inclusive of all taxes and meals will cost Rs 10,000. Nestled in the foothills of Shivaliks,The Kikar Lodge,a private forest reserve spread over 1,800 acres and a few kilometres away from the Ropar Wetlands offers monsoon magic,wherein you can enjoy heavy discounts on a two-day package! Enjoy spa treatments,night safari,leisurely walks in the wilderness.According to Nikhil here,their package cost includes meals and taxes and is approximately priced at Rs 10,000. For those who want to soak in the rain and travel to destinations like Goa and Kerala,among the airlines,Jet Airways has launched what they call Monsoon Magic. Between July 15 and September 15,a ticket from Delhi to Kochi could cost as little as Rs 2,500 plus taxes. Jet has also worked out a deal with the Kerala Tourism,Jet2Kerala,catering to a range of price points,for premium to value travellers,and offering luxury properties,three-star hotels and houseboats to suit every budget. Meanwhile,the ultimate in a luxury weekend getaway,The Oberoi Raj Vilas in Jaipur,which has played host to Julia Roberts and Amitabh Bachchan,also offers a monsoon package. Emulating a fort,the gardens are resplendently old-fashioned,with a magnificent pool and the legendary Oberoi service at its best (every room has a personalised butler). The rack rate of a Premium Room at the Raj Vilas is Rs 35,000 plus taxes per night,but the monsoon package is priced at Rs 30,000 for a two-night stay, says Ketaki Narain of corporate communications,The Oberoi. This includes a free additional room for two kids and free transfer from the airport or the railway station. Off the road to Mussoorie,theres a charming cottage where the birds reside and where you can experience perfect solitude. Surrounded by the hills and woods,at the Bird House,its an unusual holiday,far from the madding crowd. Once home to north-eastern royalty and famous ornithologists,the place offers luxurious rooms,homely comfort,peace and tranquility. With a Mediterranean and Indian decor,beautifully landscaped gardens and colonial verandahs,their in-house chef offers a tasteful spread to tickle your appetite. Enjoy the rain,solace,long walks and great food.Packages begin from Rs 4,000 onwards for two nights. The view will take your breath away,and the Wildflower Hall,Shimla in the Himalayas is an epitome of pure opulence. An Oberoi Resort,its the place to enjoy the rain,a unique spa and wellness experience and also gourmet meals. Priced at Rs 27,000 for a two-night stay,the offer includes accommodation for two nights,breakfast and round transfers between Shimla airport or railway station and resort. Apart from a rain-theme restaurant,the Taj Chandigarh is offering a night complimentary on a package of two nights,plus promotions for the business traveller. The Westin Hotels and Resorts,an hour from Gurgaon,is decadently luxurious,with acres of lush green lawns,swimming pool and a 24-hour gym. For the monsoon,Westin has a special deal: Rs 7,999 plus tax per night in July and Rs 8,999 and Rs 9,999 for August and September respectively. Rates for food and beverages,and spa treatments are also 20 per cent less right now. Now lets hope it rains down.
