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Summer getaways: Agatti Islands, Madikeri and more

We invited readers to share their summer getaway suggestions with us -- those idyllic spots where we love unwinding when the heat is on, scooting off for a few days of uninterrupted bliss. Here are some of the responses we recieved:

First, Parag Chivate shares his getaway:

Getaway: Agatti Islands, Lakshadweep

Description: Pamper yourself!

Sights: Agatti Island, Bangaram Island. There are facilities for scuba diving, snorkeling, water skiing and day and night sail boats for hire. Take fishing trips, sightseeing and excursions to nearby uninhabited islands at Bangaram, Thinnakara, Parali Islands and Kalpitty.

Eats: At the Agatti Resort.

Shopping: Nothing as such.

How to get there: From Cochin by flight or sea.

Accommodation: At the Agatti Resort.

Tariff: Rs 5,000 to 7,000

To share your favourite summer destinations, click here!

Madikeri, Karnataka

Next we have civil engineer B C Monnappa's suggestion:

Getaway: Madikeri, Karnataka

Description: Favourite getaway

Sights: Falls, coffee estate, Nagarahole forest/ sanctuary, trekking, Kushalnagar Tibet monastery, Nisargadhama

Eats: Coorg specialities

Shopping: At Madikeri and Kushalnagar

How to get there: From the nearest airport, Bangalore, it is 260 kms, and from Mangalore 150 kms. The nearest railway station is Mysore -- 120 kms. Plenty of KSRTC buses are available.

Accommodation: Home stays are available if you are interested in Coorgi culture and foods. Good tourist lodges with affordable rates can also be availed of.

Tariff: Rs 1,200 for lodges, home stays for Rs 2,000

To share your favourite summer destinations, click here!

Gangtok

Here is what Swagatam Sarkar recommends:

Getaway: Gangtok

Description: It is in North Sikkim.

Sights: Lachen, Chopta Valley, Gurudongmar Lake, Lachung, Yumthang Valley, Rhododendron Festival, Zero Point, Tsomgo Lake, Nathu La, Baba Mandir, Rumtek Monastery.

Eats: At the square near MG Marg.

Shopping: Curio shops in and around MG Marg.

How to get there: Take a train to NJP. From there, shared Sumos are available for Rs 150 per head to Gangtok. The North Sikkim package can be arranged from Gangtok for Rs 2,200 per head in a shared Sumo. Two passport photos and a photo identification card are required.

Accommodation: Hotel Deorali, Deorali East, NH 31A, Gangtok.

Tariff: Rs 800

To share your favourite summer destinations, click here!

Matheran

And finally, here is Brinda's favoured summer spot recommends:

Getaway: Matheran

Description: Summery. It is a very tiny hill station, vehicle-free.

Sights: There are various points if you are interested, but it is a great place to get away from the Mumbai chaos and heat.

Eats: Lord's Hotel.

Shopping: The main market, which really is just one lane with shops on two sides selling slippers, chikki etc.

How to get there: The best way is to either drive up to Dasturi. Or take a local train from Dadar, Mumbai to Neral, then by road till Dasturi and walk up by the rail tracks -- you can even take the toy train from Neral to Matheran.

Accommodation: There are many options, but we stay at Lord's.

Tariff: Rs 1,500 per night

To share your favourite summer destinations, click here!