Thomas Cook India and SOTC’s Long-weekend guide to a smarter holiday planning

The guide shows how Indian travelers can use well-timed public holidays to turn minimal leave into meaningful escapes, pairing each long weekend with destinations at their seasonal best. Key Breaks & Suggested Destinations

Holi Break (28 Feb – 3 Mar):
- Domestic: Mathura, Vrindavan, Varanasi for festive immersion; Ranthambore & Bandhavgarh for wildlife.
- International: Kathmandu, Pokhara, Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle, Northern Vietnam.

Ram Navami Break (26–29 Mar):
- Pondicherry, Thanjavur, Mahabalipuram; Andaman Islands.
- Short-haul: Hanoi, Halong Bay; Oman’s Muscat & wadis.

Good Friday Break (3–6 Apr):
- Lakshadweep, Andaman Islands, Coorg, Wayanad.
- International: Mauritius, Palawan & Cebu (Philippines), Japan’s cherry blossoms.

Labour Day Break (30 Apr – 3 May):
- Spiti Valley, Munsiyari, Tawang; Ooty, Kodaikanal.
- International: Almaty (Kazakhstan), Georgia, Yunnan (China).

Rath Yatra Monsoon Break (16–19 Jul):
- Valparai, Bhimashankar, Agumbe; Nature Trails in Maharashtra, Goa, Rishikesh.
- International: Thailand (Phuket, Krabi), Sri Lanka’s east coast.

Raksha Bandhan Break (27–30 Aug):
- Ziro Valley, Meghalaya, Alleppey backwaters; Kabini & Tadoba wildlife.
- International: Bali, Luang Prabang (Laos), Philippines.

Gandhi Jayanti Break (2–5 Oct):
- Hampi, Orchha, Khajuraho, Udaipur.
- International: Bali, Bhutan, Singapore, Dubai.

Dussehra Break (17–20 Oct):
- Mysuru festivities, Chandigarh + Shimla/Manali.
- International: Japan (autumn foliage), South Korea’s Seoraksan, Vietnam’s Da Nang & Hoi An.

Christmas Break (25–28 Dec):
- Goa, Auli, Gulmarg, Meghalaya, Majuli, Ranthambore.
- International: Bhutan, Mauritius, Sri Lanka’s south coast, European winter markets (Finland, Norway, UK, France).

Big Picture
The playbook emphasizes seasonal alignment: festive immersion in spring, monsoon escapes in July, wildlife reopenings in October, and snow-dusted landscapes in December. It’s designed to maximize value and experience by syncing travel with nature and culture.