With Covid-19 vaccination in full swing and the world opening up slowly but surely, it is time to pack your things and take a short break from work. For the past year or so, we all have been cooped up in our homes, glued in front of computers, attending an endless array of Zoom calls and online meetings. 

Our break time has been usurped by household chores while weekends outings have been restricted to trips to the grocery stores and supermarkets. Needless to say that we all need a well-deserved break and refresh and re-energize ourselves.

But given the restrictions on long-distance travel and the requirements for vaccination and RT-PCR tests, it is difficult for anyone to undertake a long-distance journey. Perhaps, the best bet is to take a short-distance trip – a weekend trip with friends, a family vacation to a nearby place or even a solo trip. If you are a resident of Bangalore, you have plenty of options for short-distance trips. 

 If you are a nature-lover, you can take a trip to Bannerghatta National Park. On the other hand, if ruins of historical monuments are something that attracts you, then head over to Hampi. Other honourable mentions include Nandi Hills, Coorg and Udupi.

 Club Cabana is one of the top best resorts in Bangalore that can be a perfect base camp for taking a day trip to several interesting places in Karnataka. These include Bannerghatta National Park (21km), Devanahalli fort (11km), Ramnagar wine yard (8km), Jakkur (17km), HAL Aerospace Museum (12km), Kethohalli (27km), Grover Zampa Vinyards (30 km) and Shree Bhoga Nandishwara temple. Their proximity to the city of Bangalore ensures that you can explore these regions and return to the city within a day or two. So, here’s our guide to the best places to visit in and around Club Cabana.

Bannerghatta National Park: One of the most unique regions of ecological importance near Club Cabana is the Bannerghatta National Park. Here, you will find nearly 2,003 animals across 103 species thriving in a natural environment. Here, you can enjoy a safari in an open-air vehicle and watch lions, tigers, bison and bears in their natural habitats. The park also has a butterfly conservatory within its premises to protect certain extinct species of butterflies. 

Devanahalli Fort: From nature to history, the region in and around Club Cabana has something for everyone. Devanahalli Fort is an astonishing creation of Indian architecture and was originally built as a mud fort in the 15th century, only to be reconstructed by Haider Ali. Spread over 20 acres of land, this fortification has as many as 12 ramparts that

are perfect for clicking pictures. A short morning trip from Club Cabana to this fort is a must.

Ramnagar Vineyard: Indulge in wine tasting and brush up your knowledge about wines at the Ramnagar vineyard. Spend your mornings walking through the groves and smelling the sweet smells of the grapes being mashed into pulp. The wine tour is divided into three parts: the walking tour, a detailed demonstration of how wine is extracted and how it should be enjoyed. 

HAL Aerospace Museum: Get to know more about the growth of the aerospace industry at India’s first dedicated museum of aerospace engineering. Here you can find prototypes of various aircraft and helicopters, flight simulators, engine models, a mock air traffic control tower and suchlike.

Kethohalli: For an afternoon picnic, head over to Kethohalli – a quaint village situated on the outskirts of Bangalore and very near to Club Cabana. The place is famous for its Big Banyan Tree – which is more than 400 years old. Experiencing this tree and its serpentine branches spread over large swathes of the surrounding area is indeed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Here, you can spend a lazy afternoon picnicking with friends and family and wondering about all the historical events that the tree has witnessed.

Jakkur: This place is famous for its aerodrome and five helipads. Flying enthusiasts should most definitely check this place out. Currently, the place is being developed by the Karnataka tourism department for the heli-tourism industry. Once developed, tourists can take helicopters to Goa, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Kerala. 

Grover Vineyard: Situated at a distance of nearly 30 kilometres from Bangalore and very near to Club Cabana is Grover Vineyard. It is flanked by the beautiful Nandi Hills and forest lands and is spread over 410 acres of land. The vineyard offers guided tours twice every day between Tuesday and Sunday. The tours include a visit to the vineyard, admiring the in-house art collection, grape stomping, and of course, wine tasting. All in all, it is truly an intoxicating experience you are unlikely to forget in a long time. 

Shree Bhoga Nandishwara temple: Religious-minded people can head over to the Nandiswara temple for a moment of peace and tranquillity and finding union with the almighty. This twin temple complex is dedicated to Lord Shiva and can be ascribed to the 9th-10th century BCE. Ornately carved and beautifully decorated, this temple complex is a must-visit place for all those who visit Club Cabana.