Beach vacation from Calcutta?
 

Hello! My husband and I would like to take a short 4-5 day getaway from Calcutta/Kolkata (where we will be visiting family) in December.

What are some beach desitations that are of course nice that are relatively not hard to get to from Calcutta?

I have heard of Puri.

I have also heard about Golphar on the Sea which sounds like is south of Puri??? Is it nicer there than Puri? What are some nice hotels there?

Does anyone have any other recommendations for a beach getaway from Calcutta? (Goa and Kerala sound too far away from Calcutta)

Has Puri recovered from the typhoon that hit it several years go? Or is the area still pretty devestated? I have read some negative reviews of Puri saying the beaches were filthy - is that true or was that probably posted by someone not familiar with India in general?

I want this trip to be luxarious get away so any thoughts?

Thank you,

Anne Sinha

Look into Goa. Lovely beaches, nice hotels, and its not too long a flight from Calcutta.

It's not that easy to get to Goa from Calcutta, I'm sure you will have to route over Mumbai or Delhi, maybe have a look at Trivandrum ( sorry cannot even dream of the new highly complicated name for it ) but you might find the south better.

Thank you both for your responses!

It sounds like for now we are doing Puri. (Goa is quite indeed complicated to get to with no direct flights, cost for four and train is way too complicated and non-direct - same with the south of India)

Thank you again for all your help!

Anybody else have any thoughts?

Any negatives on Puri? (I know I as an American can not go into the temple there from what it sounds like)

It sounds like we can do day trips from Puri to the Sun Template at Konark for the day.

Can you also do day trips to Chilka Lake? What other trips/activities would people suggest when in Puri?

In Puri, it sounds like from several responses here and elsewhere that the Mayfair is the best bet for a hotel.

Regarding the Mayfair, do the cottages or rooms actually overlook the water? How far away is the beach from the room?

Thank you, Anne :)

Are u averse to somewhere cold? I can recommend a lovely hotel in darjeeling. Charming and have special christmas and new years activities.

Thank you all for your responses.

We have decided to do Puri and will be staying at the Hans Coco Palms. (the Mayfair was completely booked)

Has anyone heard of Hans Coco Palms? It sounds like it was just renovated. Any opinions on it?

Are there any special events in Puri during Christmas? (as it is known for its Hindu temples, I doubt it but just curious)

Thank you,

Anne Sinha :)