It’s that time of the year when you’re likely to encounter two types of people - those that have already made plans for New Year’s eve and those that are still looking for offbeat places they can visit, simply because they just don’t want to settle for the conventional. These are the people who are willing to go that extra mile just so they can do things their way.
So if you’re someone who hasn’t chosen the usual Goa or Pondicherry to bring in the New Year, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. And giving you company in all your escapades this New Year’s eve (and even otherwise) is the Mercedes-Benz GLC. Just like you’re progressive and efficient, so is the GLC, which is what makes you two a perfect match. So here’s a list of five offbeat places you can dash off to in your GLC, and contrary to what you may think, it’s still not late to make these plans. So hurry up!
Get a Taste of Royalty in Neemrana Fort-Palace
This 15th-century fort that has been converted to a heritage hotel spells grandeur and luxury. It’s spread across six acres and consists of seven palace wings. This hotel boasts of stunning architecture and offers you breathtaking views. Given that it’s 120 kms away from New Delhi and located on the Delhi-Jaipur highway, it is a perfect New Year’s eve getaway. Take your friends, family or that special someone, and drive to the hotel in your GLC. The car is so exquisite from the inside that it will act as a precursor to the luxurious experience that awaits you at Neemrana Fort Palace. You will be transported straight from the car’s spacious interiors to the hotel’s deluxe suites and rooms. Exciting, innit? So if you wish to start the new year on a royal note, then this is one experience you must go for.
Come Face to Face With History at Ahilya Fort
The Ahilya Fort Hotel once housed the residence, offices and darbaar of 18th century Malwa kingdom queen Ahilyabai Holkar. Years may have rolled by, but the rich history associated with this place continues to fascinate people even today. This pristine property is located in Madhya Pradesh’s Maheshwar, that is known for its handwoven sarees. It’s nearly 10 hours away from Mumbai and 2 hours away from Indore, so you could drive down from anywhere. The best part about the GLC is that be it a 2-hour drive or a 12-hour one, your in-car experience will pretty much be the same. The car’s comfortable interiors will ensure you don’t experience any fatigue that usually happens in case of long drives. Besides, the GLC promises you effortless driving. This makes every drive a pleasant and hassle-free one.
Once you’re here, what will charm you the most is that this hotel overlooks the river Narmada. You could simply pamper yourself in your room, stroll in the courtyard or take a dip in the pool. In short, you can spend the last day of 2018 at your own pace. Now who says all parties have to be noisy?
Go Glamping in Jaisalmer
Want to stay as close to nature as possible and can’t do without luxury? Well, then you could go glamping in Jaisalmer. The word ‘glamping’ is a combo of ‘glamorous’ and ‘camping’. Speaking of glamour, the GLC is as glamorous as it gets. You could leave Jaipur early in the morning and in about 8-9 hours, you will reach Jaisalmer. Along the way, you can soak in some nice winter sun, thanks to the car’s automatic panoramic sliding sunroof.
After reaching Jaisalmer, you can stay in a tented camp that offers full or limited luxury services, and enjoy the experience of a lifetime. This way, you can end 2018 on a high and start the new year on a novel note.
Have a ‘Wild’ Time in Kanha
The Kanha National Park In Madhya Pradesh might be the most exciting place to usher in the new year. It’s one of India’s finest tiger reserves and also served as the inspiration for Rudyard Kipling’s ‘The Jungle Book’. Make sure you carry your cameras and binoculars and go tiger spotting in the day and at night, you can gaze at the stars from your room in one of the lodges around the National Park.
Driving down from Mumbai or Delhi will take nearly a day. From Indore, it will take approximately half a day. You can make use of the weekend that just precedes New Year’s eve. The driving distance is definitely more, but the car will make every minute worth it. This drive will give you a good chance to test the car’s exceptional off-roading capability and your skills. You will see how it gives you the best performance irrespective of the ground it’s being driven on. Now we know that for drives such as this, the ‘safety’ aspect too is of utmost importance to you, so let’s tell you that the GLC assures you a safe drive every single time. It comes with a system that is designed to keep the occupants safe in the event of any critical situation.
Surrender Yourself to the Charm of Champaner- Pavagadh
Champaner is a historical city and Pavagadh is a hill station, both in Gujarat. The area between Champaner and Pavagadh is of great archaeological significance and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can get here from Ahmedabad which is 2.5 hours away or Vadodara that’s just at an hour’s distance. One highlight about the GLC is that it can be conveniently customised to suit your lifestyle. If you’re a cycling enthusiast and want to take your cycle along on any such trip, just custom-fit it to the body of the GLC, and you’re sorted.
Once you reach Champaner, you will be transported to another century altogether. Be prepared to be mesmerised by structures of a bygone era and remnants of Gujarat’s erstwhile capital. Palaces, arches, temples, mosques, tombs, stepwells - you will find them all, and each one of them will have a story to tell. Visiting this place is almost like turning back the pages of history. Believe us, you can’t start 2019 on a more charming note!
All these places are easily accessible and promise you unique experiences. In fact, you will end up giving #TravelGoals and #NewYearsEveGoals to your friends and family. So without wasting any further time, start planning your New year’s eve right away! As for making these trips possible, you can always count on the GLC to be your dependable companion. So here’s hoping you have a great New Year’s eve and wishing you many more such trips in 2019!
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