Kids are proving to be expensive enough these days huh?? Birthday parties, gifts, extra coaching, a new activity (their list seems endless right), and then there are new fitness trainers and routines to be met.

So having depleted most of your hard-earned bucks on all of the above, saving a couple bob for the family’s time seems to be a mandate ain’t it? Be it a quick sun fix or your wish to explore someplace a tad more exotic other than the customary beach house, let us scour the globe for such Luxury Holiday destinations in an affordable manner.

Go on and check out a handful of last-minute getaways listed below that lay out the bliss of choosing from beaches and sunshine, good food and wine, art and culture creating a perfect weekend getaway in the process.

Here are the 9 Luxury Holiday Destinations:

• Goa
• McLeod Ganj
• Varanasi
• Amritsar
• Pondicherry
• Kodaikanal
• Gokarna
• Hampi
• Darjeeling

Pack your Bags!!

Goa – Luxury Holiday Destination

Famous for its backpackers and tourists, this city of beaches is quite colorful to explore and makes justice to the saying, “Live life king size.” Get there swim with turtles, scour for the best deals in the flea markets, and also check out kitesurfing.

All these at a nominal rate including a sunset cocktail with food on one of the several stunning beaches the city has to offer. There are a variety of cheap private rooms to with a 10-minute drive to Anjuna Beach which is known for its nightlife, awesome seafood that is served on the beach shacks, dolphin cruises, and water sports.

Rightly named a Yoga retreat it would be an ideal destination to meditate, and keep yourself alienated from the mad city crowd and chores. It would be the best place to head to if you are looking for a detox, time-out, or just some “me” time when you are practicing your Virbadhrasana in sync with the sound of the waves

McLeod Ganj – Holiday Destination 

Looking for some out-of-the-world experience, then this would be the place that you gotta head to, a picturesque suburb city of Dharamshala that is thronged by tourists all year round.

Once you reach Dharamshala (by air/road) McLeod Ganj can be reached by cab or looping bus. The city has some amazing places to stay, exotic eatouts and cafes, breathtaking temples,  museums, galleries, and some cost-effective guided treks too are on offer.

Varanasi

Whoever said travel cannot be mixed with a wee bit of spirituality? If you are pious and would love to mix travel with devotion, then Varanasi (Benaras) would be the place for you to head to.

The city oozes of divinity and purity and is one of the 7 holy Hindu cities. There are a variety of hotels and guesthouses to fit almost everyone’s pocket. While you are there, check out some amazing food options that the city has to offer along with stunning locations by way of ghats and vibrant temples in the city.

Amritsar

This is yet another holy city that oozes divinity from places like the Golden Temple. Amritsar is considered a haven for devout believers, pious travelers, and foodies. This holy city has other compelling reasons to visit other than the Golden Temple like the Wagah Border and Jalianwallah Bagh which oozes patriotism with the walls of the place each having a spine-tingling story to tell.

Also, don’t miss out on the free stay at the Golden Temple and savoring the langar, which is an absolute delicacy that the city has on offer. Also while you are there polishing off some plates at a coupla dhaabas wouldn’t be a bad idea too.

Pondicherry

Also known as the French Riviera of the East thanks to the remarkable French influences till date in the Union Territory. Pondicherry offers you all – you name it, you find it pristine beaches, splendor, amazing cuisine,  tranquility, exceptional wine, matchless

French infrastructure, breathtaking and peaceful Ashrams together with pleasing culture, all of these at pocket-friendly rates. Without a stay in the Auroville Ashram (known for its highly affordable accommodation and gratifying experience of pondy), your visit would be an incomplete one.

Kodaikanal – Luxury Holiday Destination

Positioned at about 7200 ft above sea level in Tamilnadu, Kodaikanal is fondly known as the “Princess of Hill Stations”. It boasts of an unexplainable splendor and also is famous for amazing street food at cheap prices. There is a whole range of options to choose from when it comes to accommodation, especially with not burning a hole in the pocket.

You could either choose to try your hands on a lot of adventurous activities that is on offer or just laze around to thoroughly enjoy the beauty of nature.

Gokarna

An unspoiled beach town between Karnataka and Mangalore, Gokarna is a hit with foreigners and Indians alike. An ideal destination if you have these in mind – splendor, tranquility, and some fascinating places of worship.

With an array of choices of homestays and guest houses, you can go on for days without really having to worry about the cost factor in a city as immaculate as this.

Hampi

Marvel architecture, temples, palaces, and historical structures then Hampi is the place to be. One can spend weeks together in the amazing city of Karnataka and watch traveling take a total expression. There are budget cottages/hotels on offer along with some bicycles to rent and interesting eateries that is sure to change the definition of a holiday that is nonexistent in many other destinations.

Darjeeling – Luxury Holiday Destination

Yet another charming and breathtaking hill station famous for its cottages and traditional homestays comes at an unbelievably low budget. The exquisiteness of the snow-laden mountains is indeed a sight to watch, not to mention the incredible sunrise and sunset.

The divine flavor of the famous Darjeeling tea is indeed a must-try and one of the compelling reasons to add it to your bucket list of destinations.