“I travel not to go anywhere, but to go.

I travel for travel’s sake.

The great affair is to move.”

– Robert Louis Stevenson

Traveling is not an art – it is a delightful passion, a state of mind. No one can resist the chance to set off somewhere for some peace and quiet in the warm embrace of your sweetheart.

Are you desperately craving for some rejuvenation amidst soaring stress levels at work? Why not treat yourself to one?

If you are among those who can’t wait for the weekend to arrive, join the gang! Instead of just snuggling under the sheets, here’s your chance to break away from your shackles and experience something new.

Here are top 10 romantic places to visit near Pune that you and your significant other must head straight away to:

1. Tapola

A rustic hamlet known as ‘Mini Kashmir’ about 25 kms away from Mahabaleshwar, Tapola will pamper you with the bounties of nature peppered with the generous goodness of its lush greenery.

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Hold hands with your partner as you walk down nature trails awestruck by the wondrous creations of Mother Nature. Explore the beauty of being one with nature, feel the freshness of the crisp breeze in the morning mist, splash playfully in crystal blue waters, and enjoy the warmth of a bonfire under a star-studded sky. Savor the taste of simplicity – life is not all about deadlines anyway!

Find water sports exciting? Bring out the “aqua baby” in you! Give yourself an adrenaline boost and go kayaking, river-rafting, and boating in the 90-km-long body of the Shiv Sagar Lake. Or hop on a water scooter ride with your partner and get naughty!

If you like to go on treks, try Vasota trekking – exhilarating and equally challenging. Situated on the western edge of Satara, Vasota is bewitchingly beautiful, covered in a thick blanket of evergreen forests to make a picturesque panorama.

2. Mulshi Dam

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Deemed the monsoon getaway, the stunning Mulshi Dam is a treat on the eyes. A quaint green paradise, mesmerizing Mulshi is nestled amidst ravishing misty hills, with clouds meandering across a bright blue sky and a pristine lake filled with sparkling waters. Pamper your senses with the calming landscape and make the most romantic memories of your life here.

An hour-long drive to Mulshi Dam with drop-dead gorgeous views of the Sahyadri hills is an uplifting treat for the senses; a campfire near the lake can set your hearts aflutter. Moreover, if you enjoy exploring history, spy fascinating forts like Dhangad and Koraigadh in the distance.

3. Sinhagad Fort 

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An eminent historical site rich with tales of valor and courage, Sinhagad’s longstanding popularity can be attributed to avid trekkers. Nothing can beat the romance of watching a gorgeous, uninterrupted sunrise from atop a fortress here. Arrive before dawn strikes, and what follows next is sheer indulgence.

4. Panshet 

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Nestled picturesquely between Panshet Dam and Varasgaon Dam, Panshet makes a great place for a weekend excursion. If you are a water-sports enthusiast, this is the place to dig. Kayaking, speed boat rides, banana rides, and water scooters are some of the visitors’ favorites, and for good reason. So what are you waiting for? Dive into the clear waters with your darling.

5. Malshej Ghat 

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An ideal retreat away from the hustle-bustle of the city, Malshej Ghat is a place of immense aesthetic beauty and a haven of serenity. Enveloped in thick green foliage, the hills of Malshej Ghat offer visitors the chance to revel in the charm of nature. Malshej Ghat is a delight for trekkers, promising a blissful getaway in its valleys, filled with gurgling steams and scintillating scenic beauty. A perfect spot to nibble on hot ears of corn and grab a mug of piping hot coffee to let love brew.

6. Panchgani

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The twin hill stations of Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar lend beauty a whole new meaning. Famous for its serene seafront views as well as its clear night sky, Panchgani has a particular allure. Witness the dreamlike sunset behind the hills, try out the luscious and juicy fruits at the strawberry farms, enjoy a leisurely boat ride, or go paragliding.  If an exquisite visual treat is what you are looking for, Panchgani is a must-visit.

Another tip: Panchgani is dotted with quaint cottages from the colonial era. Rent out a cottage over the weekend and enjoy canoodling with your arm-candy.

7. Khandala

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Perched on the western slope of the Sahyadri mountain range 69 kilometers from Pune, Khandala is an exotic hill station endowed with lush landscapes, meandering waterfalls, and glittering lakes. This is an ideal place to unwind and relax in the lap of nature, and experience serenity at its best.

Apart from its enormous innate magnificence, it has a deluge of places to be enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. Tiger’s Leap, Duke’s Nose, Bushi Laske, and Amrutanjan Point are all must-visits.

8. Kamshet 

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A mecca for those looking for an adrenaline rush, Kamshet, also known as paragliders’ paradise, is a beautiful hill station 110 kilometers from Mumbai and 45 kilometers from Pune. The place is enveloped by lush green cover, and surrounded by pristine lakes and undulating hilly terrains.  It is much sought-after for its joy rides, which bring you soaring over Pawna Lake. The hills along this route are dotted with ancient cave temples of the Buddhist monks, medieval hill fortresses of brave warriors, and colonial hill stations that often double up as flying sites.

9. Mahabaleshwar

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With its resplendent valleys, cascading waterfalls, pretty lakes, ancient temples, cobbled streets and large vistas of greenery, Mahabaleshwar in all its glory will charge you with renewed vigor. You simply cannot call yourself a Pune dweller without having visited Mahableshwar to witness Elphinstone Point, Marjorie Point, Needle hole Point, and Castle Rock.

10. Bhandardara

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Located about 162 kilometers from Pune, Bhandardara is a holiday resort village, which sits pretty by the Pravara River. With waterfalls, mountains, greenery aplenty, this is an ideal nature lover’s paradise. Not only does it have various attractions from Wilson Dam to Arthur Lake, you could also ascend the mountains to see the Ratangad and Harishchandragad forts.

A true traveler always experiments. With love in the air, rekindle your romance and don’t miss out on the serendipitous discoveries these places have to offer, just around the corner from Pune.