Beachside at Daman

A short three-hour-long drive from Mumbai, the Union Territory of Daman (no, it’s not in Gujarat, which also means you’re good for a tipple) offers all the perks of a Goa vacation sans the teeming crowds. There are two beaches—Devka and Jampore—of which the latter is infinitely better for sun and sand. The Mirasol Lake Garden—replete with an artificial lake, swan boats and even a toy train chugging along the periphery—is a good spot if you’re travelling with kids in tow. For the more culturally inclined, this former Portuguese colony is dotted with architectural remains (Fort of Nani Daman, the lighthouse, Our Lady of Rosary Church) that speak of its bygone glory.