Offbeat Valentine's Destinations: To The Moon and Back seems good!

With Cupid’s holiday just a week away, it’s time to plan a special surprise with your loved one. Here’s this year’s top see unusual destinations for Valentine’s Day . Starting with the Indian destinations, the first on the list is:

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Khonsa, Arunachal Pradesh

A perfect place for breathtaking jungle treks, the Khonsa hill station is a small town in the Tirap Valley with its own forest department and circuit house. Though the place has a strong military presence but that takes a backseat when compared to the natural beauty of this place. A perfect setting to romp in the jungle. Trekking in this wilderness will lead you to many treasures like the rare blue Vanda orchid, flying squirrel, red pandas and mesmerizing waterfalls. Who wouldn’t wish for such a fantastic holiday on V-Day?

The Khonsa Museum gives you an insight into the daily lifestyle of the tribes in the area. The Nocte tribe forms the majority of the population in the entire Tirap Kheti district and Lajo village tours are also common for the visitors. These villages are inhabited by the Nocte and Wanchoo tribes and have retained many of their ancient customs and traditions.

How To Reach: Indian tourists need an inner line permit and foreigners need a restricted area permit. The nearest airport is in the city of Dibrugarh, Mohanbari Airport (216 km) and the nearest railway station is Tinsukia (170 km). By road, Digboi is about 42 km away from Khonsa. From Digboi you can drive to Khonsa via Changlang. For more information, please contact Arunachal Pradesh Tourism Directorate at +91-360-2214745 / 2214752

Dzukou-vallei, Kohima

The next unusual destination for Valentine’s Day is on the border of Manipur and Nagaland. The Dzukou Valley is located at an elevation of 2,438 m behind Japfu Range. The valley is one of the best trekking spots in the northeastern states of India. This is another offbeat nature destination perfect for adventurous couples. Adorned with the rare Dzukou Lily found only here, this place promises to be one of the most private and breathtaking romantic destinations in India.

How To Reach: The valley is about 30 km from Kohima. One has to reach the village of Viswema, after which the motorized road comes to an end and the trek to the valley begins. There are many adventure tour operators that organize tours to Dzukou Valley. One of them is Reisen Welt, reachable at +91-80111-03103 and information [email protected].

Horsley Hills, Andhra Pradesh

Horsley Hills is one of the smallest hill stations in India today. The lush forests around Horsley Hills are ideal for secluded nature walks, picnics and drives, giving you plenty of “alone time” with your partner. The narrow road leading here is extraordinarily beautiful lined with groves of jacaranda, eucalyptus, allamanda and gulmohar trees. Some of the places you should visit with your partner are Gangotri lake, Gaalibanda, High-viewing place and Environmental Park. And if you’re up for some fun, try Zorbing while you’re here.

How To Reach : Located about 140 km from Bangalore and 144 km from Tirupati, the hill is well connected. The nearest town is Madanapalli (24 km) which has its own railway station, where numerous trains like Secunderabad-Tirupati Express, Amravathi Express etc. halt. You will need to make arrangements with your hotel/resort to pick you up from the station as local transport is not very reliable. The nearest airports are at Bangalore (160 km) and Tirupati (166 km) from where you can take a taxi (about INR 1500) to reach the hill station.

Kalpetta, Kerala

Another gem of a place, the beautiful small town of Kalpetta in Kerala is covered in lush coffee plantations and embraced by lofty mountains. The place attracts tourists for its natural beauty and famous temples. No word can do justice to the beauty of this place. Kerala in itself is a hot destination for honeymooners and couples, but very few take the time to visit this side of Kerala. Chembra Peak, Eddakal Caves and Kuruvadweep are some of the must see places here. Kalpetta is very laidback and has an unspoilt beauty that is not very commercialized by tourism, making it an ideal place for couples looking for quiet quality.

Enter the unknown! (by Guillaume Meunier)

How To Reach: Kalpetta is best reached by local modes of transport. The nearest railway station and airport is located in Kozhikode. From here you can take regular buses or taxis to take you to Kalpetta.

Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh

Usually, when thinking about the places to go, the city of Khajuraho surprisingly rarely comes to mind. Being a place famous for teaching love and intimacy to man, Khajuraho makes it into this list of offbeat destinations for Valentine’s Day. The Khajuraho Temples are a must visit for their archaeological essence and awe-inspiring beauty. And every couple should come here at least once!

How To Reach: The nearest railway stations are at Mahoba (77 km) and Harpalpur (90 km). Prepaid taxis cost around INR 1,500-2,000. The nearest airport is Khajuraho.

Rann of Kutch, Gujarat

The word Kutch or Kachchh means turtle in the ancient Indian Sanskrit language as the area is shaped like a turtle. While visiting Kutch, you can get up close and personal with the 18 diverse tribes that live in harmony despite their different language, culture and customs. Besides enjoying the cultural heritage of the region, the desert city of Kutch is a wonderful place to have fun with camel rides, jeep safaris, wildlife watching (Wild Ass Wildlife Sanctuary is here) and shopping for beautiful handicrafts.

Moreover, February is a great time to visit Kutch as the Rann Utsav is in full swing. Walking hand in hand with your loved one across the vast snowy white salt marshes that take in the festivities is a very nice way to spend Cupid's day, isn't it? — Moreover, February is a great time to visit Kutch as the Rann Utsav is in full swing. Walking hand in hand with your loved one across the vast snowy white salt marshes that take in the festivities is a very nice way to spend Cupid’s day, isn’t it?

How To Reach: The nearest railway station is in Adipur and Bhuj. The nearest airport is Bhuj (70km). Regular buses and taxis are available to take you to Kutch. Alternatively, buses are also available from Ahmedabad to Kutch.

Those were the best Indian picks. Now let’s talk about the international scene. We’ve shortlisted the top three international eccentric destinations for Valentine’s Day. The first is:

Plitvice National Park, Croatia

Plitvice is the oldest national park in the southeastern zone of Europe and the largest in Croatia. This is a super dreamy location to take your valentine. The park is considered one of the most beautiful sights in Europe, which is saying a lot!

The water flowing over the limestone and chalk has created natural deposits and barriers over thousands of years resulting in natural dams. These in turn have led to the formation of a series of breathtaking lakes, caves and waterfalls. The total tour of the park takes about 4-5 hours. There are many trails (easy to challenging) to choose from, some even wheelchair friendly. There are also many rare faunal and floral species. One of the 'must see before you die' places. — The water flowing over the limestone and chalk has created natural deposits and barriers over thousands of years resulting in natural dams. These in turn have led to the formation of a series of breathtaking lakes, caves and waterfalls. The total tour of the park takes about 4-5 hours. There are many trails (easy to challenging) to choose from, some even wheelchair friendly. There are also many rare faunal and floral species. One of the ‘must see before you die’ places.

How to reach: Regular buses from Zagreb to Zadar or spilled layers in this area. It should be remembered that the buses don’t really follow a tight schedule, so they tend to run early or late. It is a good idea to arrive a little earlier than the stated time.

Wadi Rum, Jordan

Ah! What better way to spend a romantic time than the “Valley of the Moon” itself? Wadi Rum is a valley created by natural chippings in granite rock and sandstone that has led to the formation of many stark and unnatural formations. The valley is located south of Jordan. It is home to the Zalabia Bedouin tribe who have made a successful living here through eco-adventure tourism. From camel riding, trekking and rock climbing, to camping under the stars, you’re guaranteed an unforgettable Valentine’s Day in Wadi Rum. This place seems to come straight from the pages of the Arabian Nights, perfect for a private Valentine’s Day party, no?

How To Reach: It is located on a short branch of the Desert Highway between Amman and Aquaba. A small side road leads to the Wadi Rum Visitor Center. Entrance fees are 5 Jordanian Dinars.

Canary Islands, Spain

This one is for sandpipers only. Canary Islands are the Atlantic territory of Spain, located in western Africa near Cape Verde, Morocco. The archipelago’s beaches, subtropical climate and natural appeal make it one of the most visited places in the world. From amazing marine life, terrestrial wildlife, active volcanoes, shopping, brilliant beaches – this is a getaway dreams are made of. You may also be lucky to see the colorful and lively Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the month of February.

How to arrive: The Canary Islands are a popular destination in Europe. The two main airports in the north and south are the Tenerife and the Gran Canaria airport. There is an airport on other islands, but it may be more expensive. You can also choose the ferry option. Naviera Armas sails weekly from Portimão, Portugal via Madeira.

So these were the best offbeat destinations for Valentine’s Day this year. Hope this helps you plan the best romantic getaway. Experience a wonderful journey full of love and sweet memories. There are many more destinations to visit this Valentine’s Day where you can enjoy the love of your life for most of the day.

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