Workation or a work-vacation is the latest trend among the millennials and gen-z who want a perfectly balanced life between their work and travel plans. And what better than working in a location which actually feels like a holiday destination? Especially after the pandemic, working remotely has become the most favourable option on the part of employers as well as employees. So why not work somewhere relaxing and soothing to release the pressure from all the eye-straining, unhealthy work-from-home in front of the screens?
If you are working in any of the Southern cities of India like Bangalore, Chennai, Coimbatore or Kochi, here are the perfect workation locations for you to get away from the everyday hassle and bassle of the city.
NILGIRI DISTRICT
With all the tranquil and scenic tea plantations, Nilgiri District in Tamil Nadu offers one of the best hill stations in India to spend your workation. With a historic touch, Ooty is one of the most famous hill stations you can stay at which will provide you with a perfect setup for a stress-free environment, a mix of nature and the city. However, if you want to go to an even quieter and less trafficked place, The best choices for you are Coonoor and Kotagiri, the second and the third largest hill stations of the Nilgiri District, respectively.
Besides the plantations, there are other major attractions like the Botanic gardens in both Ooty and Coonoor, the butterfly museum in Gudalur at the Genepool Garden which is the second-best of its kind in the world, many waterfalls and places for trekking expeditions and rock climbing. All these activities can provide you with the perfect balance between your job and the holidays. Besides these, the Masinagudi town which is located at the forest belt of Mudumalai is one long cover across the 3 states of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to give you all the necessary break you need while strolling through the forests in this hilly region.
All the places mentioned can be easily reached by road on bus or car through various cities like Coimbatore, Mysore, Bangalore and Chennai. Besides the road, one can take a flight to Coimbatore and travel from there through local transports such as buses to reach their more favourable destination. The whole Nilgiri District offers you a pleasant stay throughout the year due to the tropical weather which keeps it cool during the summer months and not so cold during the winters. However to experience the flora and fauna of the place in its peak, the best time for a workation is between the months of October and March,
COORG REGION
Known as the Scotland of India, Coorg is one of the most ideal places in Southern India for a workation. Due to its popularity, the transportation and connectivity of the internet are very good in the region which makes it easier for anyone looking to work in the serenity of the place. Coorg offers all kinds of holiday activities for people who are adventurous such as trekking, water rafting, rock climbing and other thrilling expeditions.
Besides the adventures, it’s the best place for coffee lovers as it is India’s one of the most famous regions which is full of coffee plantations. The lush green environment, colourful flowers springing everywhere and the hills all around provide a perfect view for the tranquillity seekers. Towns like Madikeri, Kutta, and Somwarpet are a must-visit places for a getaway in Coorg. Each with their own specialities such as waterfalls, plantations and evergreen hills with a splendid mix of cuisines available to make your taste buds happy, have always been the favourite getaways and still remain to be so.
The best time to visit the district is between the summer and monsoon months of March and September, The weather remains pleasant and the scenes are as picturesque with all the mists over the green hills as you can imagine. The easiest route to reach Coorg is through Mysore. You can catch the Mysore road if you are travelling by car or a bus. The nearest railway station is the Mysore Railway Station too.
CHIKMAGALUR AND SAKLESHPUR
Situated in the Malnad area of Karnataka, both Sakleshpur and Chikmagalur are the off-beat locations you wouldn’t want to miss if you are looking for an amazing work-vacation experience. Famous for its temples, the places are like twin cities. Once you reach Sakleshpur, you have to go to Chikmagalur or vice-versa.
Besides the Temples of Bettada Byraveshwara and Sri Veeranarayana, both the places are full of historic sites, waterfalls, coffee plantations and the serene green of the environment. Along with the flora and fauna of the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, Chikmagalur also has plenty of lakes to sit by peacefully and contemplate whatever you want. To give you the best of history, both places are full of forts you can climb and enjoy if you are a lover of the past.
Since the waterfalls dry up during the summers and winters, the best time to enjoy both Chikmagalur and Sakleshpur to its fullest is during the monsoon. Both the places are easiest to go via Bangalore, hence perfect for your workation. You can take a bus or go on the road in your car or a taxi.
WAYANAD
The tourist favourite of the South, Wayanad is a rural district in the state of Kerala, God’s own country. Wayanad is famous for its breathtaking views of the waterfalls, hills, forests and caves. Rich in history, Wayanad is a perfect place to set up your workstation if you are looking for the much-needed break from working 24×7 in front of your screens right from home.
Besides the historic relevance right from the Neolithic age at the Edakkal caves, the district is home to a rich variety of fauna. Your animal-loving side will find a heaven in the heart of the district which is the home to Asiatic Elephants, Leopards, Tigers and Egrets. Other adventure activities offered by Wayanad are trekking, camping, rock climbing and other expeditions.
The best time to stay at Wayanad is between October and February. However, if you wish to go there off-season without losing the pleasant weather, you can also visit during the summer months of March and May. Monsoon is the least preferable season to travel to Wayanad. You can reach there on road via Kozhikode where you can reach through any major city such as Bangalore, Chennai or Kochi. The nearest railway station is also at Kozhikode.
COASTAL KARNATAKA
There’s always a competition between people who prefer mountains over beaches and vice versa. All the places that are mentioned above lean more towards the mountainous ranges in Southern India. However, the coastal region in Karnataka is a place for all the beach lovers looking to get away from the daily chaos of the cities. The coastal region of Karnataka has a wide range of places one can go together for a long vacation or a shorter stay all across the Uttar Kannada, Udupi and Dakshina Kannada.
Famous among students, Gokarna and Mangalore are the most visited coastal regions in Karnataka which fit completely with the requirements of a workation. With enough amount of greens, flora and fauna, the add on to all the places situated in the coastal belt of Karnataka are its clean and mesmerizing beaches. Not just Gokarna and Mangalore, but other places like Dandeli, Karwar, Byndoor, Honnavar and Kundapur can also be stayed in, to get a break from the city, near the gushing sound of waves of the Arabian sea.
The best time to visit the coastal part of Karnataka is during the winter/spring months between October and April since the summers get humid and monsoon is not a wise choice. To enjoy the best travelling option to the coastal Karnataka, one can plan a road trip via Bangalore to all the places. The closest major city is Bangalore hence you can also take a flight till the city and then travel through local transport or personal vehicle to any of the regions mentioned above for your beachy-workation.
