Could day trips be the new luxury weekend escapes?

If you work in corporate, you learn to hold your weekends sacred—it's a much-needed break from the week-long grind. For most people, it means going for a relaxing spa session or a buzzing night out with friends. But for some, it’s all about making the most of every moment, which often means escaping the city for a quick getaway. In fact, there was a time when weekends were almost always reserved for exactly that. You pack a duffel, hop out on a Friday night flight, and disappear into some tranquil resort or villa for 48 hours of well-deserved calm. But in 2025, the rules of rest have evolved. Modern luxury is no longer an elaborate escape but rather the ability to slip away for just a day, and come back lighter, happier, and maybe even a little sun-kissed. 

If you immediately thought of school field trips, you won’t be wrong. Back then, the prospect of not having to sit in class and take notes—even if only for a few hours—was such an exciting feeling. And given that we live in a day and age where burnout has become both a buzzword and a baseline, more people are realising that rejuvenation doesn’t have to mean travel checklists and back-to-back hotel bookings. Sometimes, all it takes is a few hours of stillness, preferably with a glass of wine, a coastal breeze, and feeling little to no pressure to post about it. 

These microcations, as they are now being called, are becoming increasingly popular among busy professionals who want to press pause without pausing their lives. A quick drive to a beachside shack in Alibaug or a sunset yoga session in the outskirts of Pune is all it takes. 

What’s great about this shift is that it’s more inclusive and realistic. You don’t have to book months in advance or wait for the perfect long weekend to get away. There’s flexibility, spontaneity, and a sense of control, which is a rarity in today’s over-scheduled lives. Moreover, these escapes are usually closer to home, which allows you to appreciate the often overlooked gems—the quiet beach just two hours away or that quaint heritage village you’ve never explored. You might even take a boat ride just to try breakfast at an open garden café. Sounds impulsive? It’s really not. The growing willingness to travel a couple of hours for a good meal in a beautiful setting explains the rise of outdoor brunches across India—seaside spreads and garden picnics now regularly filling up Instagram feeds. You don’t need a resort stay to indulge; just a basket, some mimosas, and maybe a friend who knows how to assemble a decent cheese board.

But that's not all. Vineyard picnics, too, have become popular, so much so that people are now calling it the new spa day. Properties like Sula in Nashik or Fratelli in Solapur are seeing a surge in same-day visitors, often couples or close-knit groups looking for a slow, sun-drenched afternoon among the vines. The experience is less about wine tasting and more about winding down with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc, delectable food pairings, and fun conversations in the vineyard. 

So, whether it’s a solo day of unwinding, a quick catch-up with friends over lunch by the sea, or a family picnic away from the city noise, these day trips are quietly rewriting what rest looks like in 2025. And for anyone juggling a packed calendar and a relentless to-do list, it’s not just smart—it’s essential.

And if you're looking for some ideas, here are some easy, fun day trips in Maharashtra to get you started. 

Lakeside day retreats

Sometimes, the best way to reset is to do absolutely nothing, preferably next to a quiet lake. Spots like Pawna, Mulshi, and Vihar make it incredibly easy. At Pawna Lake, you can roll out a mat, unpack some sandwiches, and watch paragliders float across the sky. Mulshi’s the kind of place where you wake up early just to see the morning mist rising off the water, and then spend the next few hours doing pretty much nothing—maybe journaling, maybe sleeping, or maybe just sitting there with your feet in the grass and a flask of chai. You don’t have to do anything. Just stay still and enjoy the views around you.

Coast to forest in hours

One of the best parts about living in Maharashtra is that you can go from beach to forest in the span of an afternoon. You could start with a quiet day at Kashid Beach, and before you know it, you're climbing the tree-lined roads up to Matheran or Lonavala, trading salty skin for misty views and hot cocoa. If you’re in Pune, even a spontaneous morning coffee in Lavasa, followed by a drive through Tamhini Ghat, feels like two holidays in one. These quick shifts from ocean air to tranquil mountains have a way of clearing your head in ways you didn’t know you needed. And the best part? You don’t have to pick one over the other. You can have both.

Charter yachts

If you've ever craved those moments where you feel like you're in a soft-focus music video, then charter yachts are a fun, luxe way to enjoy that. You can book a sleek little cruiser for you and your crew near Gateway, complete with floaties, paddleboards, and maybe onboard chefs if you're feeling fancy. You set sail, the city fades into the background, and before you know it, you’re anchored near Elephanta or Mandwa, toes in the water, snacks in hand, sunset rolling in. It’s luxe, but not performative; glamorous, but easy. A few hours at sea and you come back feeling like you’ve been on holiday, without even leaving the city, plus a boatload of photos that paint a perfect picture. 

Boutique vineyards

This one's great if your idea of a perfect day involves a long lunch, lots of wine, and a memorable stroll through a vineyard. You've obviously got the classics like Sula and Fratelli. But if you want something quieter, York Winery and Soma Vine Village are lovely, too—fewer crowds, more space, and all the good stuff: fresh air, rolling vines, and curated wine flights you can linger over. You can walk through the vineyard, chat with a sommelier, or sit under a tree with your glass and a cheese board. It's not about the wine, really; it’s more about slowing down. And this kind of day trip lets you do exactly that.

Wellness retreats

The thing about burnout is it doesn’t wait for the weekend. And thankfully, neither does wellness. Just a couple of hours from Mumbai, spots like Dharana at Shillim or Atmantan in Mulshi offer one-day programmes that feel like a total mind-body reboot. Think: deep tissue massages, sound baths, forest air, and slow, nourishing food that tastes good. You check in exhausted, and a few hours later, you’re sipping herbal tea and wondering why you didn't do this sooner.

Float therapy

If you're looking for a peaceful break that doesn’t involve leaving the city, float therapy might be the reset you didn’t know you needed. Float therapy at places like Liquid Sanctuary lets you step into a private pod filled with warm, salt-infused water and float weightlessly in complete silence. No noise, no screens—just you, suspended in stillness. It’s surprisingly effective at easing tension and clearing mental clutter, making you feel like you’ve taken a long break, even if you only stepped out for an hour. Think of it as a mini-vacation for your nervous system—without ever leaving town.

So, the next time the week feels too heavy and the thought of planning a holiday even heavier, consider a simpler ask: what if you gave yourself just one day? Not to do anything, but simply to be.

Lead image credit: Unsplash 

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