Weekend entertainment goes much beyond window shopping and spot entertainment at City Centre. Stoke your wanderlust, hit the road and explore Hyderabad’s exciting getaways. You are bound to feel the difference on Monday!

How about a quick historical interlude? Just a 4-hour drive (157 km) from Hyderabad and you’re in the Kakatiya dynasty’s stronghold, Warangal. Drive straight to the Warangal Fort and marvel at this architectural splendour. Soak in the peaceful surroundings; such a joy after the hustle of Hyderabad's Golconda Fort.

Another 50 km’s drive will take you to Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary, where you can have your brush with the wild. Spotted deer, mountain gazelle, wild boar, black buck, nilgai, sambhar, sloth beer, and leopard (yes!), can be spotted with a little luck or an expert guide. You can either stay at the PWD rest-house near the sanctuary or drive back some 112 km to Hyderabad by evening.

Want to treat your city-chafed self to lungful of fresh air? Head straight to Shamirpet, 27 km north of Secunderabad. Shamirpet boasts of a lake, a twelve-cottage tourist complex, a restaurant and a small deer park.

If you don’t mind the 150-km long drive then a pristine island, laced by a lake formed by the famous Nagarjuna Sagar Dam (world's tallest masonry dam), awaits you at Nagarjunakonda. There is a Buddhist monastery look-alike museum that preserves the Buddhist relics excavated from this site, including an earring and tooth of Lord Buddha and many prehistoric weaponry.

Travel another 25 km or so from this dam en route Macherla and you will reach the Ethipothala waterfalls that gurgle down 22 m into a crocodile breeding lagoon.

About 232 km south of Hyderabad, on the banks of the river Krishna is Srisailam, famed for its jyotirlingam and Saivite temples. The Srisailam Sanctuary, one of India's largest tiger reserves, is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts.

Araku Valley some 700 km away may be a bit too far for a weekend trip, but trust us it is Andhra's most sold-out destination. Don’t be surprised if you find droves of newly-weds nattering away amidst lush coffee plantations, trekking tracts, and a pristine valley hedged by hills.

For those seeking spiritual rejuvenation there is Amravati, the Buddhist pilgrimage site (450 km). Closer home is Keesaragutta, the historic temple village (35 km).

Most of these places are covered by Hyderabad’s travel agents as part of their tour programmes. So you can sign up with them. Or else, book a chauffeur-driven car from any of the city’s car rental services , if you don’t feel like driving yourself.

Have a refreshing weekend!