Enjoy the river song while its therapeutic effect calms your city frazzled nerves. If you are lucky, you may see the rain clouds gathering in the distance and  the rain dancing over the water. You may go for a day-long visit or on a weekend trip. Seek a quiet break or gather your family or friends for a fun-filled holiday. There are options aplenty.

Burul

About 35 km south of Kolkata by road, Burul is a small village near the commercial centre of Budge Budge. This quiet riverside getaway by the Hooghly River is slowly developing into a retreat for those who want to spend a weekend away from the city. Enjoy the riverside and the village while you hole up at the few private resorts located here.

Raichak

About 50km south of Kolkata by road, the riverside of this town is a popular quick getaway from the city, especially for those looking for a quiet retreat. River-facing luxury resorts and private bungalows offer stay facilities. Most have their own pools and gardens.

Diamond Harbour

About 55km south of Kolkata by road, the town is located on the bank of the Ganga (as the river continues on its journey to the sea). The gently flowing river appears like a painted canvas on which a fishing boat or a small ship make a brief appearance from time to time. There is not much to do here by way of activity but you may simply relax or enjoy a group outing with friends or family. A part of the main road running through the town hugs the river and this is where most of the hotels are located. There are private lodges and resorts apart from the tourist lodge run by the West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation.

Taki

About 70km east of Kolkata, this historic town lies on the Ichamati River which forms the international border between India and Bangladesh. The river bank is choc a bloc with hotels and resorts to suit every pocket. Take a boat ride along the border, visit (paid entry) the ‘mini Sundarbans’ created out of a patch of mangrove forests, and explore (with permission of course) some of the homesteads which still take pride in their architectural splendour and traditional festivals.

Note: Usually, local rickshaw drivers request guests to hire them for sightseeing. You may leave your car in the hotel or at designated parking lots. Roads can be very narrow here and hence taking a local rickshaw (check the rate charts) is convenient too and the driver can double up as a guide.

Kolaghat

A little over 70km southwest of Kolkata, this town on the Rupnarayan River, is mostly a pit stop on the way to Digha and Odisha. Rows of restaurants and café can be seen along the highway. But hiding among its bends are a handful of private hotels and resorts which overlook the river. There is not much to do by way of activity (unless your hotel has some sports facilities).  However, you may enjoy a variety of fish-based dishes; during monsoon, lovers of ‘hilsa’ fish crowd its many eateries by the river bank.