Surrounded almost entirely by hills and lakes, Thane is an excellent getaway from Mumbai. The picturesque Yeoor and Parsik Hills provide a picture perfect backdrop for the city, while as many as thirty lakes that dot the entire city beautify it. The numerous temples lining the area render it an air of spirituality and the ruins of the bygone era remind us of the grandeur of the place. Steal a weekend from your hectic life to spend some time here for a session of relaxation. The tranquility of the place will surely unwind you.

• Yeoor Hills or Mama-Bhanja Hills: One of the most scenic hills in the region, this is a pollution-free zone and hence provides great relief from the usual humdrum of city life. This popular picnic spot is also home to a large species of birds and animals, most popular being leopards. Also located here is the 150-year old Mama-Bhanja Temple.

• Talao Pali: One of the thirty lakes that dots the landscape of Thane district. This beautiful lake is an important tourist attraction and a boat ride across the lake is always a nice experience. Water scooters and boats are available for water sports enthusiasts.

• Ambarnath: Located close to Thane, Ambarnath is an important pilgrim center. Its highlight is the 11th century Ambreshwar Shiva Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is a masterpiece of Hemadpanti style of architecture and is done completely in black stone. The temple is particularly crowded during the Shivratri festival. Another famous temple located here is the Shree Heramb Temple, who is the protector deity of the region. The idol inside is carved out of granite rock.

• Titwala: Titwala is another pilgrim center near Thane and is famous for the Maha Ganesh Temple or Siddhivinayaka Temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha. The temple also has a sanctum dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is especially popular during the Angarika Chaturthi and Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. Another famous temple of the area is the one dedicated to Shri Vithoba.

• Ganeshpuri: Ganeshpuri is another famous spot near Thane, known for its hot springs and the residence of Swami Nityanand Maharaj. It also has an old temple believed to have been constructed almost 800 years ago. The temple has four tanks called Kundas which are interconnected.

• Tikuji-ni-Wadi: Tikuji-ni-Wadi is a popular entertainment spot in Thane, ideal for a family day out. It offers several recreation activities like water sports, go-karting and other amusement rides.

Thane has quite a few options for shopping enthusiasts. The rather traditional shopping areas include the Ram Maruti Road and the Naupada Road. There is no dearth of happening shopping malls either. The Eternity Mall and Megapolis Mall are hotspots with youngsters and is abuzz with crowds at all times. The Lake City Mall and the Wonder Mall are other such phenomenal places in the city.

To taste the true local flavor, go for a mouthwatering Mumbai’s vada pav or samosa pav at any of the roadside stalls at Ram Maruti Road. If you are a chaat lover go to Tip-Top, a local fast food joint serving a delicious assortment of various chaats. For a South Indian meal, hit Woodland. Oriental Spice is a nice Chinese restaurant, while The Grill is famous for its sizzlers. Pure vegetarian meals can be ordered at The Challenge. Other international chains are also present in Thane like McDonalds, Pizza Hut and Dominos. Of course, don’t forget to sample the mouth-watering Malvani dishes. They are best available at Hotel Vijaydurg. Their specialties include delicious and spicy prawns, crabs, shell masala, malvani thali with fried pomphret and bombil. Solkadi, a kokum drink taken after food is also a must.