Travel news, tips and guides

Weekend Getaways from Kochi: 10 Scenic Escapes to Add to Your Travel List

Discover the best weekend getaways from Kochi, from misty hill stations and peaceful backwaters to beaches, waterfalls, and heritage towns. Explore top places like Munnar, Vagamon, Wayanad, Varkala, Alleppey, and Fort Kochi for quick escapes, scenic road trips, and memorable long weekends across Kerala.

Shreya Chopra

08 Apr, 2026

ADVENTURE

OFFBEAT

4 mins read

05 Apr, 2026

Vagamon vs Munnar: Which Kerala Hill Station is Perfect for Your Next Getaway?

Confused between Vagamon and Munnar for your next Kerala trip? Discover which hill station suits your travel style better with this complete guide covering weather, attractions, budget, stays, monsoon travel, and the best places to visit in Vagamon and Munnar.

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ADVENTURE

4 mins read

30 Mar, 2026

Vagamon Food Guide: Best Cafes, Restaurants and Kerala Cuisine

From cosy cafés with valley views to local restaurants serving authentic Kerala cuisine, Vagamon has plenty of food spots worth exploring. This guide covers the best places to eat in Vagamon, including scenic cafés, family-friendly restaurants, local favourites, and must-try Kerala dishes for every kind of traveller.

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How to Reach Vagamon: Best Routes, Nearest Airport & Travel Tips

4 mins read

29 Mar, 2026

How to Reach Vagamon: Best Routes, Nearest Airport & Travel Tips

Planning a trip to Vagamon? This guide covers the best routes, nearest airport and railway station, road trip tips, travel times from Kochi, Kottayam, Munnar, and Thekkady, along with bus options, biker-friendly routes, and everything guests need to know before reaching Vagamon.

OFFBEAT

ADVENTURE

Best Time to Visit Vagamon: A Seasonal Guide to Weather, Views & Experiences

3 mins read

26 Mar, 2026

Best Time to Visit Vagamon: A Seasonal Guide to Weather, Views & Experiences

Discover the best time to visit Vagamon with this seasonal guide covering weather, views, and experiences. From misty winters and breezy summers to lush monsoons, explore when to go for adventure, relaxation, or scenic beauty, and plan the perfect trip to this serene hill station in Kerala.

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ADVENTURE

5 mins read

17 Mar, 2026

Things to Do in Vagamon: Adventure & Offbeat Experiences in Kerala’s Hidden Hill Station

Discover the best things to do in Vagamon, Kerala’s hidden hill station known for adventure and offbeat experiences. From paragliding and trekking to jeep safaris, stargazing, and tea plantation walks, Vagamon offers the perfect mix of thrill, nature, and slow travel, making it an ideal 2 to 3 day mountain escape.

ADVENTURE

OFFBEAT

3 mins read

15 Mar, 2026

Places to Visit in Vagamon: The Offbeat Kerala Escape You Deserve

Escape to Vagamon, a serene hill station on the Idukki-Kottayam border. Famous for its rolling meadows, pine forests, and the thrilling Glass Bridge, Vagamon offers an offbeat alternative to Munnar. Whether you're seeking paragliding adventures or a peaceful mountain workation, this guide covers the must-visit spots in Kerala’s hidden paradise.

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Solo Women Travel in India: 8 Safe & Beautiful Places for Your First Solo Trip

4 mins read

04 Mar, 2026

Solo Women Travel in India: 8 Safe & Beautiful Places for Your First Solo Trip

The rise of solo women travellers in India is inspiring more women to explore the country independently. From spiritual towns like Rishikesh to scenic hill stations like Coorg, discover 8 safe and beautiful destinations perfect for your first solo trip in India, along with practical travel tips and unique local experiences.

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ADVENTURE

Corporate Off-sites Near Mumbai & Pune That Don’t Feel Like “Work Trips”

3 mins read

02 Mar, 2026

Corporate Off-sites Near Mumbai & Pune That Don’t Feel Like “Work Trips”

At The Hosteller, we host team-building retreats near Mumbai and Pune designed to help teams reset, reconnect, and realign. Close enough for a short drive from the city, yet far enough to truly unplug, our properties offer the perfect balance of accessibility and escape.

ADVENTURE

Holi 2026: Best Places to Celebrate Holi in India (Traditional v/s Party Vibes)

4 mins read

27 Feb, 2026

Holi 2026: Best Places to Celebrate Holi in India (Traditional v/s Party Vibes)

Planning Holi 2026? Discover the best places to celebrate Holi in India — from traditional temple rituals in Mathura and Vrindavan to royal Rajasthan vibes and high-energy Holi parties with Holi High 2.0 by The Hosteller. Find dates, travel tips and where to celebrate in style.

ITINERARY

Planning a Trip to Vagamon? Here’s Everything You Need to Know

7 mins read

19 Feb, 2026

Planning a Trip to Vagamon? Here’s Everything You Need to Know

Discover Vagamon, Kerala’s peaceful hill station nestled in the Western Ghats. This complete travel guide covers the best places to visit, adventure activities, ideal travel seasons, local cuisine, and where to stay. Perfect for a 2–3 day escape, Vagamon offers scenic meadows, pine forests, and refreshing mountain weather.

OFFBEAT

DESTINATIONS

Road Trips From Delhi That Feel Like a Proper Break (2026 Edition)

4 mins read

18 Feb, 2026

Road Trips From Delhi That Feel Like a Proper Break (2026 Edition)

Looking for a real escape? This 2026 guide highlights six iconic road trips from Delhi that offer a total reset. From the misty trails of Lansdowne to Narkanda’s high-altitude orchards and Agra’s royal charm, discover the best routes, scenic stops, and top stays for your next mountain or cultural break.

ADVENTURE

OFFBEAT

Valentine’s Day isn’t about romance - it’s about YOU and a February getaway.

4 mins read

10 Feb, 2026

Valentine’s Day isn’t about romance - it’s about YOU and a February getaway.

Ditch the clichés this Valentine’s Day 2026 and embrace the self-love trend. This blog explores the best February getaways in India, from the spiritual banks of Rishikesh to the heritage lanes of Goa. Discover why February offers the perfect weather for self-love retreats, featuring curated itineraries and the best stays at The Hosteller.

The Ultimate Valentine’s Day Travel Guide 2026

5 mins read

09 Feb, 2026

The Ultimate Valentine’s Day Travel Guide 2026

Plan the perfect romantic getaway with our Valentine’s Day Travel Guide 2026. Since it's a Saturday, ditch the usual dinners for misty hills, coffee estates, or sun-kissed beaches. Explore top Indian destinations, insider pro-tips, and cosy stays at The Hosteller for an authentic, spontaneous weekend of real connection.

ITINERARY

10 best places to eat in Calangute, Goa that will make you drool!

3 mins read

10 Sep, 2025

10 best places to eat in Calangute, Goa that will make you drool!

Calangute is much more than just beaches, water sports and parties! It’s also a full-blown food paradise. From iconic Goan seafood shacks to all-day breakfast cafés and candlelit beachside dinners, this buzzing North Goa hub serves up something for every kind of foodie.

FOOD & DRINK

10 fun things to do in and around Calangute, Goa

3 mins read

09 Sep, 2025

10 fun things to do in and around Calangute, Goa

If Goa had a “happening capital,” Calangute would probably take the crown. Buzzing with energy all year round, this stretch in North Goa has everything from beach shacks, crazy nightlife, water sports to flea markets, cafés and a pinch of susegad vibes when you need them.

DESTINATIONS

6 dreamy places to visit near Vagamon for your next day trip!

3 mins read

06 Jul, 2025

6 dreamy places to visit near Vagamon for your next day trip!

If Vagamon is your next vacay spot, you're already off to a great start. You’ve walked through pine forests, rowed across the lake, rolled down meadows, maybe even screamed your lungs out doing an adventure activity or two, par dil abhi bhi nahi bhara? Guess what? There’s a whole bunch of gems hiding just a few hours away, each with its own vibe.

DESTINATIONS

The village where you can't touch anything – Malana, Himachal Pradesh

3 mins read

31 May, 2025

The village where you can't touch anything – Malana, Himachal Pradesh

I’ve never talked about my trip to Kasol, mostly because (hehe) my parents still don’t know about it, and let’s keep it that way, shall we? But not because it was a bad trip or anything. It was one of the best trips of my life. I stayed at this gorgeous property, The Hosteller Kasol, Parvati Valley, and oh my my, I fell in love. Like legit dil de diya types. So much so that I ended up taking an internship there. Life really said “plot twist”, huh? But something unexpected happened on the way to Kasol... or rather, I heard something unexpected. Don’t worry, it’s not one of those bhootiya tales that’ll make you sleep with the lights on.

ADVENTURE

Bollywood’s favourite hill station: Dharamshala & why YOU should visit it

3 mins read

27 May, 2025

Bollywood’s favourite hill station: Dharamshala & why YOU should visit it

Hi! I’m Shreya Dwivedi — a certified Bollywood paglu. If you’ve read my past blogs (bless your soul if you have), you’d know that Bollywood toh mere ragon mein hai. Like, it’s not even intentional anymore. It just… happens. But this time, I didn’t choose this article just because my brain plays “inn waadiyon mein” every time I see mountains. I chose it because I realised something — Dharamshala is tiny. Like, teen-chaar galliyan, ek market, thoda sa hillside vibe. And yet, it’s so iconic. So colourful. So stunning. (Yes, I wanted to use words like tranquil, majestic, and mesmerising, but my editor calls them "ChatGPT words," so I can’t, even though they fit Dharamshala perfectly) the chhota packet, bada dhamaka kind of tiny. The point is — the second I stepped into this town, my Bollywood paglu brain went BAM! Scene ban gaya. I have seen this somewhere (cue: Highway) and like seriously — if directors are not shooting in Dharamshala, what are they even doing? And I was right, there have been some movies like Rockstar, Highway, Haider, and Manmarziyaan that have been shot here in Dharamshala & some that I think you should recreate:-

DESTINATIONS

8 unmissable things to do in and around HITEC City, Hyderabad

3 mins read

26 May, 2025

8 unmissable things to do in and around HITEC City, Hyderabad

I’m assuming this is your first time visiting Hyderabad’s HITECH City. Maybe you’re here for work. Maybe your travel partner is on a business trip and you’ve tagged along. Or maybe you’re just curious about this buzzing IT hub and decided to explore. Whatever the reason, you’re here now, and this is a quick, simple guide to everything you can do in and around the city.

DESTINATIONS

Did you know the Taj Mahal was meant to be in Burhanpur, not Agra?

3 mins read

18 May, 2025

Did you know the Taj Mahal was meant to be in Burhanpur, not Agra?

No, the title is not clickbait. The Taj Mahal was never meant to be in Agra. You heard that right! The grand white marble mausoleum that has become the face of eternal love was originally supposed to rise somewhere else. Not beside the Yamuna, not near the Red Fort but on the quiet banks of the Tapti River, in a small town called Burhanpur, in Madhya Pradesh. Sounds unreal? Let me take you back to where this forgotten story began.

PEOPLE & CULTURE

The eternal flames of Manikarnika Ghat: Where everything ends and everything begins

4 mins read

15 May, 2025

The eternal flames of Manikarnika Ghat: Where everything ends and everything begins

Note: As a writer, this is the first time I’ve felt that words are not enough to describe a place. Manikarnika Ghat, its history, its energy, and the things I personally felt there are impossible to express fully. You need to go there, stand there, and feel it yourself. Still, I’ve tried my best to do justice to this blog and this sacred place. "मणिकर्णिका मोक्षदायिनी।" Manikarnika is the giver of liberation. This one line says everything and yet, somehow, nothing about Manikarnika Ghat. Why do I say that? Let me decode. It is said that if one dies here, their body is freed from the cycle of birth and death. A few years ago, when I first heard about Manikarnika Ghat, I had manyyyy questions. And this blog is about the answers I’ve understood (so far).

PEOPLE & CULTURE

The secret behind how Uttarakhand's Roopkund became ‘Skeleton Lake’

3 mins read

11 May, 2025

The secret behind how Uttarakhand's Roopkund became ‘Skeleton Lake’

Have you ever heard about the Skeleton Lake of India? The lake with history, but it also hides mysteries, frozen in time, waiting to be discovered. At first glance, it might look like any other mountain lake with scenic views, a peaceful vibe, and surrounded by snow-covered peaks. But wait until the snow melts. This is the story of Roopkund Lake, also known as Skeleton Lake. Curious why it's called that?

ADVENTURE

3 mins read

01 May, 2025

6 adventure activities in Dharamshala that’ll make you feel alive

If you thought Dharamshala was only about chill cafes, monks, and scrolling through life at 0.5x speed, brooo, you’re seriously sleeping on it! This pahadi paradise isn’t just about relaxing, it’s literally a full-on adventure playground. From flying like a bird to trekking into the clouds, Dharamshala is that wild adrenaline fix you didn’t know you needed. So if you’re someone who loves a little thrill, here are all the crazy adventure activities you can try in Dharamshala.

ADVENTURE

The ultimate Hyderabad moodboard: People, culture & full vibe!

4 mins read

01 May, 2025

The ultimate Hyderabad moodboard: People, culture & full vibe!

Imagine you’re in Hyderabad. It’s just before sunset. Charminar stands in front of you, bathed in golden hues, looking absolutely dreamy! The faint azaan is playing in the background. There’s the spicy whiff of biryani from some local dabba. And yes, the unmistakable scent of ittar hanging in the air, of course!

PEOPLE & CULTURE

A day-long food walk in Hyderabad – Where & what to eat

4 mins read

01 May, 2025

A day-long food walk in Hyderabad – Where & what to eat

Dil ne dastarkhaan bichaaya, Daawat-e-Ishq haiiiiiiiiiiiii, Ayeee! Let’s go, you all know I am smiling ear to ear while writing this blog (HEHEHE). Blog topic hi itna achha hai. Kisi ne sahi hi kaha tha, “Pehle pet puja, baaki kaam duja” and that’s the motto of my life—and should be yours too. To know a city, you have to first know its food. After all, food is that one thing that can make or break a trip. But what happens when you visit a city that’s known for its food? What do you do? How do you decide where to go and what dishes to try? I know, I know, kaafi confusing hota hai. Mere saath bhi hota hai, chillax.

FOOD & DRINK

A blockbuster 2 day itinerary for Dharamshala

3 mins read

28 Apr, 2025

A blockbuster 2 day itinerary for Dharamshala

You know a place is khaas when a filmmaker like Imtiaz Ali picks it for a movie like Rockstar. Dharamshala, nestled in the arms of the Dhauladhar mountains in Himachal Pradesh, isn’t just scenic – it’s absolutely soul-touching. With Tibetan flags fluttering in the breeze and chai ki khushboo wafting from every corner, this one-day itinerary will take you through the best of this pahadi paradise. And yes, cinematic nerds and chai addicts, you’re gonna love every second. Toh chalo shuru kare?

ITINERARY

16 Things to do in and around Dharamshala you won’t believe exist!

4 mins read

27 Apr, 2025

16 Things to do in and around Dharamshala you won’t believe exist!

Discover 16 incredible and unique experiences in and around Dharamshala that will leave you amazed and craving for more!

DESTINATIONS

Visited Hyderabad and didn’t see these 6 historic places? Babe, wyd?

4 mins read

27 Apr, 2025

Visited Hyderabad and didn’t see these 6 historic places? Babe, wyd?

Hyderabad - I am sure yeh naam sunkar aapke dimaag mein kahaniyaan, kisse, monuments aur legacy yaad aata hoga. Right? Mere bhi. While writing this blog, I got to know that Hyderabad is named after Hyder Mahal (also known as Bhagmati), the love of Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, and this story was enough to pull me into writing this blog.

PEOPLE & CULTURE

Beyond Dharamshala: 10 villages to visit for a peaceful retreat

4 mins read

27 Apr, 2025

Beyond Dharamshala: 10 villages to visit for a peaceful retreat

Escape the chaos and find peace in the serene, lesser-known villages near Dharamshala, perfect for a soulful retreat amidst nature’s beauty.

OFFBEAT

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