With 2 October falling on a Friday this year, Gandhi Jayanti brings a three-day weekend that is well suited to a short break from Delhi-NCR. October also marks the shift to more comfortable weather across much of North India, making it easier to swap packed city plans for a few days of slower travel. You could spend a morning by the Ganga in Haridwar, head into the forests around Satpura or Kanha, or drive into the hills for cooler air and mountain views. Some of these stays are about being close to nature, while others make a case for barely leaving the property at all. From restored heritage homes and century-old havelis to forest lodges and wellness retreats, here are seven stays where the long weekend can be less about ticking off attractions and more about having time to enjoy where you are.






