August long weekends: Visit these travel destinations for the perfect escape

As the festive season approaches so do multiple holidays With two long weekends August is turning out to be every travel enthusiastrsquos dream People are eager to pack their bags and venture out on minivacations to get a muchneeded break from the hustle and bustle of their hectic lives If planned carefully one can get up to five days of vacation time during this periodHere is a breakdown of August 2024 long weekends1 Independence Day to Raksha Bandhan 15th August to 19th August15th August Thursday is a national holiday for Independence Day followed by a partial holiday on 16th August Friday for Parsi New Year This is followed by Saturday and Sunday and then Raksha Bandhan holiday on 19th August Monday2 Janmashtami 24th August to 26th August24th and 25th August are Saturday and Sunday respectively followed by a holiday for Janmashtami on 26th August Monday One can take a leave on 23rd August Friday or 27th August Tuesday for an extended vacation experienceldquoThe twin celebrations of Independence Day stretching until Raksha Bandhan and Janmashtami have sparked a surge in travel with Indians looking at making the most of these extended weekends by planning their getaways to both domestic and international destinationsrdquo informs Santosh Kumar Country Manager for India Sri Lanka Maldives and Indonesia at BookingcomHere are domestic and international travel destinations that can help you make the most of these long weekends in AugustDomestic destinationsldquoWhile Udaipur is the most popular domestic destination for the long weekends other leisure hotspots within drivable distances from metros such as Jaipur Lonavala Ooty Goa and Mahabaleshwar are also witnessing an increase in searches as Indians look at capitalising on the extended time offrdquo Kumar reveals1 UdaipurUdaipur is a haven for heritage and nature lovers With luxurious palaces and forts and stunning lakes it makes for a perfect destination to visit in long weekends in August especially from Delhi2 JaipurJaipur is home to heritage forts vibrant bazaars and historical stories that will amaze and enchant It is a perfect representation of Rajasthanrsquos culture3 LonavalaThe goto destination for almost every Mumbaikar Lonavala is the place to be if you want to stay close to nature One can even explore avenues like trekking and camping here depending on the weather4 MahabaleshwarAnother famous holiday destination in Maharashtra Mahabaleshwar boasts multiple tourist attractions like stunning view points waterfalls and strawberry farms5 GoaBask in the sun at the beach explore the nightlife or shop unique souvenirs during your visit to Goa It also offers many offbeat experiences for travellers6 OotyOoty is replete with natural beauty and has something for every kind of traveller from lakes gardens and waterfalls to temples and fortsInternational destinationsldquoThere is also a growing interest among Indian travellers to explore international destinations The relaxation of visa processes and increased flight connectivity have facilitated this trend with shorthaul destinations emerging as preferred choices Destinations such as Dubai Bangkok Singapore and Kuala Lumpur are witnessing a 307037 yoy growth during this timerdquo Kumar states1 DubaiOne of the most popular tourist destinations among Indians Dubai has varied experiences to offer like luxurious shopping stunning skylines enchanting desert landscapes and more2 ThailandThailand is a favourable tourist destination due to its accessibility and affordability Itrsquos a country where charming villages exist alongside vibrant cities Its beaches cuisine and markets are main attractions3 SingaporeSingapore is a melting pot of culture and is wellknown for diverse attractions like street food shopping malls and more4 MalaysiaKuala Lumpur Malaysiarsquos capital is a preferred travel destination for Indians Malaysiarsquos multiethnic culture buzzing streets and stunning cityscapes make for the perfect travel experienceAlso Read Get set travel A comprehensive guide to solo travelling for women