Once the capital of Maratha Empire, Pune is the city of legendary Maratha leader Shivaji and has the history of being the alternative capital of British. The city known for its numerous historic monuments, Pune in the present times has evolved as a thriving centre of business and education which also houses Osho Meditation Resort. Thus a popular tourist destination, Pune is frequented not just by vacationers, but also those on business and educational tours.
While in the vicinity one must not miss the interesting sites surrounding the main city. Situated a few kilometres away from Pune some beauteous hills are ideal for weekend getaways. Rich with geographical splendour and history dating back to the age of royalty these sightseeing places are located in close proximity and are well connected. Some of the weekend getaways around Pune are:
Lonavala
While opting for weekend packages to tour around Pune one must add this beautiful hill station as well. Well connected with Mumbai-Pune highway, Lonavala is easy to reach. The angelic beauty of this pretty countryside appears best during the monsoon season.
With cascading waterfalls and quaint ponds the verdant vistas creating appropriate backdrop, the time of rainy season in Lonavala is ideal for a visit to the region. In Lonavala one must visit Reyewood Park & Shivaji Udyan and the pristine Lonavala Lake.
Panchgani
A scenic hill station, Panchgani is located approximately 100 kilometres away from Pune. Nestled amidst lush Sahyadri mountain ranges its beauty is only enhanced with the beauteous Krishna River flowing nearby. The place is surrounded by five hills and on the top lays a volcanic plateau which is the second highest in Asia.
The area is a favourite picnic place for residents of Pune and is dotted with numerous gorgeous sightseeing attractions making it an ideal retreat for enjoying weekend breaks around Pune. The highlights of Panchgani includes the hilltop overlooking Krishna River valley- Sydney Point, the large expanse of laterite rock- Table Land and a beauteous spot overlooking azure waters of Dhom Dam- Parsi Point and more.
Alibag
A coastal town, Alibag is a small city was once renowned for its gardens of mango and coconut trees. In the current times it is the beaches of Alibag that makes it one of the highly preferred weekend getaways around Pune.
One can choose from a number of pristine beaches of Alibag including Alibag beach, Varsoli beach, Akshi beach, Nagaon beach, Kihim-Navgaon Beach, Kashid Beach and more. Those eager to see something more than just the beaches can explore other highlights of the region including the famous temples such as Kanakeshwar temple, Birla temple, Uma Maheswhar temple and Balaji temple. Also visit Kolaba fort, Murud-Janjira fort and Magnetic observatory while in the vicinity.
