Looking for a silent blissful weekend? Venture out to Alibaug, an unruffled destination with multiple beaches. Its pleasant atmosphere, greenery and the sound of waves make Alibaug irresistible during the monsoons. It offer everything – from the calm beaches of Mandwa to the deep woods of coconut trees and butterflies of Kihim, Alibaug also abounds in places of historical interests. Especially visit its several churches, forts and synagogues and the various temples that line its scenery. Like all hill retreats of Maharashtra, Alibaug turn lush green during the monsoons. With heavy rainfall and the occasional roll of thunder, we recommend carrying your monsoon gear, hiking boots and a spirit of adventure.

• Kolaba Fort: Built by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1652, this fort is situated just a furlong away from the shore. Its most spectacular feature is the freshwater well inside. The huge front entrance arch has tigers, peacocks and elephants sculpted on it. With two gates, one at the shore side and the other at the seaside, you can visit the fort either by walking across the seashore or taking a buggy ride. Do keep a check on the tide, though before venturing out.

• Chaul: This historic town is located just 15 kms from Alibaug. Home to numerous Portuguese ruins, Buddhist Caves, temples and even a synagogue, Chaul boasts of an assortment of historical architecture.

• Vikram Vinayak Temple: Situated across the Revdanda Bridge, to its left is the beautiful temple within the Vikram Ispat premises. Perched atop a small hilltop, its stunning gardens and colourful fountains let you experience a captivating mix of architecture and beauty.

• Kanakeshwar Temple: Resting on a hill is this attractive temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. You have to climb 700 odd steps to reach the temple, but it’s definitely worth the effort. Built in 1764, this temple is a delight with its extensively decorated colourful miniature idols of the gods. En route the temple, several sights and signs greet you, including the Nagobacha Tappa, which essentially is a warning for snakes that lurk around here. Halfway up, you are greeted by the Nandi bull and the Brahma Kund tank.

• Mandwa and Kihim: The twin beaches of Mandwa and Kihim lie to the north of Alibaug and are easily accessible. Long stretches of un-spoiled white sandy beaches make it an amazing weekend getaway. Around Kihim you can head out to get a view of the stunning tower of St. Barbara. Famous for bird watching, Kihim lets you relax in its lush greenery and attractive surroundings.

• Akshi and Nagaon: A perfect spot for birdwatchers, just 3Km from Mumbai Alibaug, Akshi is a quiet beach. With numerous trees dotting the coast it’s an ideal place to unwind. The Nagaon Beach is home to a small fishing village and is characterized by the unmistakable smell of fishes! You can also hire a boat to visit the twin locations of Khanderi and Undheri forts.

• Vrindavan Farm: Spread over 28 acres, this farm houses over 70,000 plants on sale, which include several exotic varieties of crotons and cacti to the more common species of mangoes and guavas. Also located within the farm is Tiny Wings, which is an arts and crafts gallery with several bidri ware, patta chitras and other pruce from Bastar Tribe on display.

When in Alibaug, you can dine at the many restaurants that serve almost all kinds of food.. Coastal cuisine is readily available and you might want to indulge in some fried prawns and the Masala Garlic Crab. There are a number of budget restaurant that offer friendly service and great food. Head out to Sanman, a restaurant that specializes in sea food. Try out their excellent selection of thalis and varied prawn dishes. Flora Restaurant also serves a good variety of Indian dishes in vegetarian and non–vegetarian. For more coastal cuisine you can also visit Sudama Restaurant in Hotel Ravikiran.