Pondicherry or Goa? Best places for a graduation trip

Jade Crasto
For those who are about to graduate from college or university, your life as a student is about to come to an end, but not the adventures with your friends! The end of college is characterised by farewell parties, poignant lunches, job placements, vows to keep in touch, and a tremendous anticipation of the unknown future, one wonders how to continue without getting to meet that beautiful group of friends every single day. After all, everyone’s lives are hectic, especially if you’re in different parts of the world. If you find yourself in this situation, we recommend that you take advantage of your spare time after graduation to go on one crazy vacation with your besties.
Pondicherry
Pondicherry
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Pondicherry (Pudducherry) is a beach-side union territory in Tamil Nadu that can be considered the love child of French and Indian cultures. Pondicherry was a French colony until 1954. It’s distinctive charm is now enhanced by the historic Bougainvillea-draped French-style residences, churches, and even recently built French-style stores, brightly coloured cafĂ©s, and restaurants. Whether you visit areas like the Rock Beach, Pondicherry Beach, Serenity Beach, or the Botanical Gardens in this French capital of India, you will undoubtedly feel like you are somewhere else. And, in the same vein, the best way to explore Pondicherry is to go to Auroville and the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, where people from all over the globe come to seek spirituality with yoga and meditation.
Goa
Goa backwaters
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Goa, the smallest state in India and unlike any other is located on the western coast and is renowned for its unending beaches, fantastic nightlife, diverse seafood, and world-heritage-listed architecture. Goa is the go-to place for youngsters who have just finished their stressful examinations. Head to North Goa, the party hub, where you’ll find a variety of clubs, restaurants and bars that’ll keep you up all night. If you don’t want to party and simply wish to unwind and relax, then you must visit the South of Goa which isn’t densely populated with tourists. You’ll find some of the best beaches and lagoons in the south.
Kasol
Kasol
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Kasol is a charming Himachal hamlet located on the banks of the Parvati River. Kasol, sometimes dubbed as the “Amsterdam of India,” is a tourist destination that is quickly gaining popularity as a popular centre for trekkers, hikers and nature enthusiasts. The valley is located 23 km from Bhuntar and near the religious town of Manikaran, making it one of the greatest sites in the nation to sit back and relax while admiring the scenery of snow-capped mountains, pine trees, and tranquil rivers. Kasol is well-known for its hiking paths, including hikes to Kheerganga, Yanker Pass, Sar Pass, and Pin Parbati Pass. Visit the village of Malana to get a true sense of the culture in this region. Malana, located a few kilometres from Kasol, is a little town populated by people who reside in self-imposed solitude. Yet, the area has many beautiful attractions and is commonly referred to as “Little Greece.”
Andaman
Andaman
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Andaman & Nicobar Islands is a small piece of paradise situated roughly 1,400 kilometres away from the east coast of mainland India, complete with turquoise blue ocean beaches and a little of history. Port Blair, the union territory’s capital, has a significant airport and seaport that connects it to the rest of the country and several tourist islands by multiple daily ferries. The pristine sandy beaches and good diving opportunities on Havelock and Neil Islands make them popular with vacationers. Havelock Island is the largest and most populous of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The lovely Radhanagar Beach is located on Havelock’s southern shore, while the blue splendour of Vijayanagar Beach is located on the island’s eastern coast. Neil Island’s three sandy beaches, Bharatpur Beach, Sitapur Beach, and Lakshmanpur Beach, are perhaps its most charming characteristic. Three popular beaches for watersports are North Bay Island in Port Blair, Elephant Beach on Havelock Island, and Bharatpur Beach on Neil Island. Elephant beach and Kalapather beach are two additional beaches with spectacular sunrises and sunsets.
Mcleodganj, Himachal Pradesh
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Mcleodganj in Himachal Pradesh is a renowned tourist destination due to its Tibetan culture, nature hikes, greenery, historic temples and monasteries, and British influence. It is located on the outskirts of Dharamshala in the Kangra district. The town, nestled among breathtaking hills and lush vegetation, has one of the most captivating sceneries in the entire state of Himachal Pradesh and draws a large number of tourists throughout the year. The hilly topography with forests of Oak, Rhododendron, and Deodar makes Mcleodganj a popular trekking destination, with the Triund Trek, Kareri Lake Trek, and Thatharana Trek among the most popular. Dharamsala, Dharamkot, Bhagsu Nag, and Kangra are some of the nearest towns to Mcleodganj. The Namgyal Monastery and Tsuglagkhang, where the spiritual head Dalai Lama dwells, are two of India’s most prominent and spiritually significant monasteries.
International
Dubai

Dubai has something for everyone, making it an ideal place for a graduation vacation. Besides from being an exceptionally lovely city located right on the ocean, it’s also an ideal adventure location. From sandboarding to skiing, dune driving to hot air ballooning, Dubai provides about every adventure activity imaginable.  Of course, you must also spend time immersed in Dubai’s metropolitan life. Dubai is brimming with nightlife and things to do. Dubai is a city where technology meets decades of culture and history, from ultra-modern towers like the famed Burj Khalifa to Dubai’s Old Quarter.
Thailand
Thailand
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Thailand, a wonderful coastal paradise, has managed to keep its cultural identity while being a popular tourist destination. Everything can be found here, from gorgeous beaches to lush woods, historic monasteries to coral reefs, Buddhist monks to floating marketplaces, and aromatic and delicious food to satisfy your taste buds. Bangkok, Thailand’s capital and largest city, is recognised as a contemporary melting pot of cultures, beliefs, and experiences. Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai in the north appeal to people searching for peace and quiet in the countryside. Further south, beach locations such as Phuket, Krabi, and Koh Samui provide some of the greatest tropical seaside experiences. In the western end, the Hua Hin district is well-known for its opulent resorts. Lastly, Ubon Ratchathani, located to the east, is a spiritual and historical retreat where visitors may immerse themselves in Buddhism and Thai culture.
Seychelles
Raffles Seychelles
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Located only 4 hours away from Mumbai, Seychelles, also known as Paradise on Earth is located just off the coast of Kenya and is home to endemic species like the enormous Aldabra tortoises and the rare Coco de Mer palms. Many of these islands include marine sanctuaries and UNESCO-listed natural reserves. The country has several pleasant hikes through the verdant woods, unwinding opportunities on the idyllic beaches, or scuba diving adventures to discover the island’s rich undersea history. Most of Seychelles’ citizens reside in Mahe, which is in the northeast of the country and enchants you with its spectacular scenery and rich greenery. The forests of Mahe are home to numerous rare endemic plants that can only be found in Seychelles, including the Jellyfish tree, the carnivorous Seychelles Pitcher Plant, and numerous unusual varieties of orchids. You can wander down to the Seychelles National Botanical Gardens to witness the excellent flora the island has to offer and even a giant tortoise enclosure. An abandoned paradise and the fourth-largest island in Seychelles, La Digue, has long been kept a secret! La Digue has received numerous honors and prizes and is renowned for having some of the most stunning beaches and bays in the world.
Laos
Laos
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The Republic of Laos is a landlocked nation in Southeast Asia with a small population. The nation is known for its stunning beauty, which includes tall mountains, lush rainforests, gleaming rice fields, and tea leaves covering the mountain surface. Far tribal villages, historic Buddhist caves, rich cultural legacy, café culture in cosmopolitans, magnificent colonial architecture, and tranquil stupas contribute to the allure of this lotus-eating country.
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