Summary

We are almost nearing the months when important conferences will be held. For doctors, conferences are probably the only time when they can take a breather. And while it is still work, we recommend some places around the hosting cities, to enjoy a well-deserved short trip as well.

Our list of recommended destinations are easy-to-access places with things of interest for doctors with their colleagues/peers, and even family. So read on to pick a destination that piques your interests or seems perfect for you to unwind.

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For the adventure-enthusiast

Not too far from Delhi, amidst the majestic Himalayan ranges in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, are some great destinations to try out trekking, camping, and much more.

1. Triund, near McLeodganj in Uttarakhand is enveloped by the Dhauladhar range and is a peaceful camping site for any season.
2. The Deoria Tal campsite offers a spectacular view of several Himalayan peaks, making it a pleasant outdoor space to relax.
3. Likewise, Chopta’s woods, with tall pine and deodar trees and even taller mountains around, are great for camping with friends or family
4. The Nag Tibba peak in Uttarakhand’s Tehri Garhwal is a popular trek that you can undertake over a weekend. A relatively easy trek, the Nag Tibba is suitable to most trekking enthusiasts, even amateurs.
5. A beautiful valley, Har Ki Doon, too is another easy trekking route in the Himalayas.
6. For a more thrilling experience, go white water rafting on the rapids between Shivpuri and Rishikesh.
7. If paragliding excites you, head to Bir Billing in Himachal Pradesh, where you can safely enjoy the sport under expert supervision.

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For the wilderness explorer and the nature-lover

Home to remarkable wildlife, a visit to West Bengal would be incomplete without a trip to one of the national parks here. The Sunderbans National Park is known for tigers, deer, leopards, crocodiles, turtles, dolphins, and a variety of other species of reptiles and mammals.

A little far from Kolkata, but totally worth the trip is the Jim Corbett National Park in Nainital, Uttarakhand. At the foothills of the Shivalik range, the National Park is home to diverse species of animals, including elephants, black bears, jungle cats, hares and leopards. Apart from the jungle safaris, the lush forest, the dwindling paths and the playful streams are added attractions.

If Bird-watching or photography is your thing then you will love the Pangot and Kilbury Bird Sanctuary in Nainital district. It hosts close to 600 species of birds, including both, local and migratory. A great place for nature-lovers too, the Sanctuary’s oak, pine and rhododendron forest is serene, to say the least.

For some quiet time with your spouse or your family, head to Purulia, where the peace and beauty of Doldanga and the Baranti or Murardi Reservoir will wow you to no end. While Baranti’s sunsets are romantic, Doldanga’s Deer Park is perfect for a picnic and photography.

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Of sun and sand and quiet beaches

Just about an hour away from Hyderabad (by flight) is the coastal city of Visakhapatnam. With long, panoramic beaches, Vizag is perfect as a getaway after attending a conference.

You can spend an evening at one of the two beaches within the city, namely the Ramakrishna Beach (aka RK Beach) and the Palm Beach. While RK Beach is lined with eateries serving amazing seafood, the quieter Palm Beach, with a picnic park around, is great for hanging out with family. A short drive away from the city is the secluded Yarada Beach, where you can swim, sunbathe or simply enjoy a day on the shore.

Tourists at Hyderabad also flock to the culture-rich city of Pondicherry. Known for the charming French streets and eateries, the quaint city has a couple of long beaches, of which the Auroville Beach, the Serenity Beach and the Paradise Beach are the most beautiful. While the waters of the Bay of Bengal can be too aggressive for swimming, the long shoreline, the view it offers of the never-ending sky and clear blue waters are just a few other reasons to love Pondicherry.

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CME vacations

If you haven't considered any of the upcoming CME vacations, read on and think again.

The 12-night CME cruise in India: India's Golden Triangle and the Sacred Ganges River Cruise- Conference for Chronic Pain, Family Medicine and Oncology between 17th and 29th October 2019

The itinerary includes a visit to the beautiful cities of India - Delhi, Jaipur, Agra and Kolkata - and days onboard the fabulous cruise ship, travelling to scenic spots on banks of the river Ganga. The excursion is perfect for those, who want to explore the spiritual and the historical aspects of places along the Ganges.

Through the tour, you have the opportunity to visit popular landmarks, such as Humayun’s Tomb - a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Raj Ghat - a memorial for Mahatma Gandhi; dual visits to the Taj Mahal in Agra - during sunrise and sunset; and Amber Fort and Jantar Mantar (another UNESCO World Heritage Site) in Jaipur. You can also go shopping in the markets of Delhi and Jaipur, where you can pick up exquisite items for yourself or as souvenirs.

You then fly to Kolkata to embark on the grand Ganges Voyager II cruise ship, which sails on the river Ganga. The cruise ship offers five-star accommodation and luxurious facilities for an unforgettable experience. The various stops in between give you a chance to explore marvellous towns, such as Kalna, Matiari, Baranagar and Murshidabad among others.

14-night Japan, China & Taiwan CME Cruise- Conference for Family Medicine, Gynecology & Obstetrics between 23rd November and 7th December 2019

The tour enables you to explore the beautiful amalgamation of the ancient and the modern in these cities, enjoy the oriental cuisine and culture and experience luxury at sea.

On-board the Celebrity Millennium Cruise, you sail between Tokyo and Hong Kong, making stops at some of Asia’s most culture-rich yet, modern cities, such as Kobe, Kochi and Kagoshima in Japan, Shanghai and Hong Kong in China, and Taipei and Kaohsiung in Taiwan.

Apart from experiencing luxury onboard the world-class cruise ship, you can also visit some of the landmarks of these cities. You can check out the Imperial Palace gardens and the Asakusa district and enjoy a gondola ride in the Hakone National Park of Tokyo.

The itinerary also covers highlights of Kyoto, Nara and Osaka, the best of Shanghai tour and some ancient and modern landmarks of Zhujiajiao and Suzhou. The excursion at Taiwan becomes memorable with the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival, Treasures of Taipei and more. At Hong Kong, the tour covers Kowloon Cultural Highlights, Disneyland and a trip to Macau among other places.

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Staycations in New Delhi, Kolkata and Hyderabad

You know you are in for a treat when you think of the food in Delhi, Kolkata or Hyderabad. But there is a lot more you can do than just try the delicacies here during your visits. The kind of historical significance and cultural diversity these cities boast, you can most certainly enjoy a couple of days exploring them with your colleagues or family.

Visiting the historical monuments and markets of the city are on every tourist’s list. However, with just a day in hand, you can consider heading to some great places around the capital, such as Manesar for the Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary, Gurgaon for Damdama lake, Agra for the Taj Mahal, and Fort Unchagaon.

As for Kolkata, visiting Chinatown, among other places, is a must if you want to see how the Hakka Chinese population has added its own colours to the culture and flavours of an Indian city. Other destinations within about 50 kilometres from Kolkata are Bawali and Babur Haat for their scenic locales and Raichak and the Diamond Harbour for historical attractions. With a little more time in hand you can also consider going to Shantiniketan, Bishnupur, and Henry’s Island.

Within Hyderabad, you will get plenty of recommendations for Biryani centres, but we say do not leave without visiting the oh-so-popular Laad Bazaar and catching a glimpse of the unique Spanish Mosque. Some of the must-not-miss places on the outskirts of the city are the Ramoji Film City, Bidar Fort, Panagal for its Hindu temples and the Nagunur Fort.

Hope our recommendations help you plan a holiday or two around the time of the upcoming conferences. After all, doctor, like you wish great health for your patients, we wish a great vacation for you!