Discover why detours make the best travel adventures

For every detailed itinerary-maker or perennial holiday daydreamer, the allure of a vacation is unmatched. But travelling today isn’t limited to a concentrated experience. Discerning travellers are tweaking the 'one week in London' or 'four days in Goa' plan with an additional three days in the English countryside, or a rural-chic four-day wellness retreat after partying over the weekend.

Curated pauses

No longer content with bite-sized breaks that include all the sights and highlights in one neat package, travellers today are expanding their horizons. In essence, no one wants just the commercialised getaway. They also want a detour destination—something that offers a fresh, hidden-gem feeling tied in with the main spot. These are trips nestled within each other, a sort of dual vacation, where one offers mainstream delights and the other, a chance to exhale. There is a certain sort of enticement in absorbing all that a new place has to offer: culture, cuisine, and charm, almost entirely at a different pace from the “main” holiday. 

Here are some captivating pairings:

Prague + Karlovy Vary 

Prague is one of Europe’s most potent enchantments. Its cobblestoned streets, the mysterious Astronomical Clock and the elegant Old Town Square, the horse-drawn carriages outside Cartier, the towering spires, and a romantic, gas-lamp-lit Charles Bridge, all allow one to feel like they’re amidst a fairytale. Just as idyllic, but extremely different from its Gothic counterpart, lies the fabled town of Karlovy Vary. It’s a pastel-toned spa town, famed for its hot springs and riverside promenades. Visitors can sip healing waters from ornate colonnades, relax in mineral baths, purchase crystal glassware, and soak in the atmosphere favoured by artists and aristocrats. Together, Prague and Karlovy Vary offer a layered Czech experience, making travellers feel like they’ve stepped into both, history and a restorative sanctuary.

Paris + Giverny

Based as much on dreams and ideals as stone and structure, Paris is a seductress that needs no introduction. Take your pick from the endlessly chic offerings: rooftop terraces with stupendous views of the Eiffel, outdoor cafés with striped awnings, walks that leave one lost amidst bookshops and museums, secret passageways and flowering gardens. Just an hour’s drive away is Giverny—a village that feels like an Impressionist painting. It’s easy to see why: this was Claude Monet’s home, and visiting his house and gardens is a pilgrimage for art lovers. The Japanese bridge, lily pond, and rows of blooming flowers are instantly recognisable from his masterpieces. Giverny’s charm isn’t only in Monet’s legacy; it’s also in the slower rhythm of village life, where visitors can wander quaint streets, sip coffee in rustic cafés, and bask in the countryside calm. This holiday strikes the perfect balance between the urban pulse of Paris and the pastoral dreamscape of Giverny.  

Udaipur + Ranakpur 

Udaipur, also known as the City of Lakes, is often said to be one of India’s most romantic cities. The shimmering glimpses of Lake Pichola, ancient haveli-palaces and vibrant markets selling everything from miniature paintings to traditional handlooms, all lend the city a surreal look. Only a short distance away is Ranakpur, whose crowning jewel is a 15^th-century Jain temple. Tucked away in the heart of the Aravalli hills and surrounded by vast forests, this architectural marvel is rooted in history and legends. From no two pillars out of the 1440 being alike to opulent and intricately carved temples within, Ranakpur has a serene, almost mystical quality, far removed from Udaipur’s bustle. Together, they capture two sides of Rajasthan’s heritage: the opulence of its rulers and the devotion of its artisans.

Bangkok + Chiang Mai 

Bangkok is a visual feast: golden temples and silver skyscrapers share space, street-food markets thrive next to Michelin-starred restaurants and many such contrasts. Whether it’s floating markets and night zoos, or airy spaces that house makeshift canteens during the day to transform into music-filled shopping aisles at night, the thrum of energy is nearly electric. A short flight away, Chiang Mai offers Thailand’s quieter, more spiritual side. Nestled in the northern mountains, Chiang Mai is famed for its centuries-old temples, artisan markets, and elephant sanctuaries. The Old City’s moat and walls enclose a world of traditional teak houses and serene monasteries, while the surrounding hills invite trekking, zip-lining, and eco-adventures. The annual Yi Peng lantern festival, where thousands of lanterns illuminate the night sky, is surreal. Together, Bangkok and Chiang Mai show Thailand’s dual identity: the cosmopolitan buzz of the capital and the mindful, nature-rooted calm of the north. 

In an age where travelling can exhaust as much as it can delight, planning a little something that’s exclusively dedicated to letting you savour the pause is much-needed. Sometimes, the most memorable part of your trip won’t be the views atop the monuments; it will be finding an out-of-the-way gelato in a sunlit alley on the road trip you almost didn’t take.

All images: Getty Images 
 

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