My hubby and I want to go for a holiday and have thought of going in the month of October. We have never been in the month of October and therefore require some help in choosing a destination. The monsoons would be over by October, so that is one less thing to worry about, but we don't know what the weather would be like in October and which places would be suitable for a holiday. Wherever we go we plan to stay for two weeks so, please advise a destination according to the time we will be staying. We want to do a bit of relaxing as well as some sightseeing which is why we have decided on two weeks.
Hello, @Magina! Welcome to the forum! October is really one of the best times to visit many destinations in India. The climate during this time, in most places, is bearable and pleasant. If you're lucky, you might even get to join festivals and cultural events. Here are some of the best places to visit in India in the month of October: 1. Rajasthan - During the summer months, the weather and climate in Rajasthan is hot and humid. The same goes for the monsoon season, humidity also rises. The best time to visit the state is during the start of winter season which begins in October to February. You can do plenty of sightseeing during this time. And in October, there's not a lot of tourists as well, as they start to set in during December. So you can have all the major destinations to yourself. Since you have two weeks, I'm going to recommend three destinations in Rajasthan: Jaipur - You cannot miss The Pink City on your travel to Rajasthan. There's plenty of sightseeing to do here, with the forts, palaces and other historical structures. Some of the best tourist attractions here are: City Palace - This was constructed by Sawai Jai Singh II. It houses the Chandra Mahal, which is a museum now, and the Mubarak Mahal. Hawa Mahal - Also called the Palace of Winds, this was constructed by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh. Amber Fort - It was Raja Mansingh who constructed this fort although later, it was renovated and expanded by Raja Jai Singh I. There are about four courtyards in this fort. Many tourists enjoy the elephant ride to reach the Amber Fort but you can also just opt to walk the distance. Udaipur - This city has been fondly called as the Venice of the East, because of the lakes you can find here. Some tourist attractions here are: City Palace Complex - This was built by Maharana Udai Mirza Singh. You can find this on the banks of the famous Lake Pichola. Inside the complex, there's about 11 more palaces to explore. Bagore Ki Haveli - This was built by Amir Chand Badwa. Although this was the residence of Maharana Shakti Singh of Bagore for many years, hence the name of the palace. Now, it's a museum showcasing items owned by the Rajputs like jewelries and copper vessels. Kumbhalgarh Fort - This was built by Maharana Kumbha. It has the second longest wall in the world, after the Great Wall of China. Jodhpur - The Sun City where the sun first rises before anywhere else in the country. Some attractions here are: Mehrangarh Fort - It was Rao Jodha who constructed this fort but it took many years before it was completed. This is one of the biggest forts in India as well. Kailana Lake - It was Pratap Singh who constructed this man-made lake. There are boating facilities here that you and your loved one can enjoy. Mandore Gardens - You can find a temple, a museum and a hall of heroes here. The museum houses artefacts excavated from the gardens itself. 2. Shillong - Although the climate here is pleasant all throughout the year, it's best visited during October because of the Shillong Jazz and Blues Festival. Shillong is the capital of Meghalaya and is also called as the "Scotland of the East." Some attractions here are: Shillong Peak - This is about 1,965 metres above sea level. On a clear day, you can view the Himalayan Ranges from this peak. Lady Hydari Park - The flowers here bloom from April to October. If your trip is in the early days of October, you might be lucky and witness the blooming of the different flowers here. Ward's Lake - This was named after Sir William Ward. It's a man-made lake with boating facilities. Otherwise, strolling around the lake can be quite relaxing too. Captain Williamson Sangma State Museum - Here you can find different artefacts and information about the ethnic and tribal people of the country. Spread Eagle Falls - The name was derived from the image of the falls looking like an eagle with spread wings. Locally, the falls go by the name Umkaliar. Elephant Falls - There was a stone nearby the falls resembling an elephant although it was destroyed by an earthquake. The falls itself have three steps which give way to the cascading water from the top. 3. Varkala - Now, this is one offbeat destination. If you're craving for beaches during the time of October, then try Varkala. It isn't as crowded as Goa, but has great beaches to offer. Some attractions here are: Papanasam Beach - This also goes by the name Varkala Beach. Papanasam means "to wash away sins" as a dip in the sea is believed to wipe away the sins of the person. This is also the only beach in Kerala where cliffs are found adjacent to the Arabian Sea. Edava Beach - This is located in the Edava Village, this beach is surrounded by lush greenery and even lagoons. Varkala Temple - This is believed to have been built over 2,000 years ago already. This is also dedicated to the Lord Vishnu. 4. Rishikesh - With the temperature during October as quite cooler, sightseeing in Rishikesh can be fun. This is also a famous pilgrimage area for the Hindus. Some attractions here are: The Beatles Ashram - The famous band, The Beatles, visited the ashram of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in the year 1968. They did transcendental meditation during this time and believed to have written many of their phenomenal songs here as well. Swarg Ashram - This is one of the oldest ashrams in the country. Since you said you'd like relaxation, there's no better place to do that than here. Meditating in the river banks here can be quite peaceful and serene. Laxman Jhula - This is a suspension bridge about 450 feet in length and is a major pilgrim attraction. Parmath Niketan - This is the largest ashram in Rishikesh. Meditation and yoga are best done here. I hope this helps!
