In pictures: Picnic spots near Kolkata to savour the winter

Falta, 50km (approx two hours by road) from Kolkata, is a town steeped in history on the banks of two confluences — Damodar and Hooghly rivers on one side and Rupnarayan and Hooghly on the other. It is famous as the location of Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose’s farmhouse, now called Bose Bigyan Mandir. Spend the day lying on a bedsheet on grass, munching on triangle sandwiches and throwing around a frisbee, while watching migratory birds

A three-hour drive, a bus ride from Esplanade or a train from Sealdah will get you to the riverside town of Taki. Hop on a toto and snake through the town’s history. You’ll see palatial facades of Taki’s zamindari houses, centuries-old ruins (above) and the one of the oldest Ramakrishna Missions, among other things. Walk through a canopied jungle path at Golpatar jungle, or choose to stay the night at one of the restored 'bagan baris' along the river

About 50km (approx two hours by road) from Kolkata, Babur Haat is perfect for a day spent amidst nature. The quaint village has a lot to offer from visits to mango orchards and farmlands to birdwatching and boat rides. The nearby Malancha village (15km away) sees the confluence of Ichamati and the Vidyadhari rivers, perfect for a lazy evening taking in the sunset.

Deulti is a scenic cultural getaway about 63km (approx two and half hours by road) from Kolkata. Bengal’s renowned author Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s home (in photo) in the hamlet is now a museum called Sarat Chandra Kuthi or Sarat Smriti Mandir that you can tour. End the day admiring the terracotta art on the 1651 AD aatchala Radha and Madangopal temple or the panoramic view from the banks of the Rupnarayan river

A longer drive — 96km and about four hours — away from the city, Gadiara is a serene destination at the confluence of Hooghly, Damodar and Rupnarayan rivers with a historic lighthouse. Along with a tour of the Fort Mornington, you can also enjoy romantic boat rides, picturesque sunsets, village walks, cosy lunches and a host of sightseeing spots

Susunia Hills is a fantastic trekking location about 200km (approx five fours by road) from Kolkata and best enjoyed on a weekend stay. A trek through the sal and palash woods and a hike will reveal ancient fossils, a smattering of medicinal plants, a rock inscription believed to be Bengal’s oldest and other nuggets of history from the time that Susunia Hills is believed to have housed Raja Chandravarman’s fort

Fraserganj is a quiet alternative to the cluttered Digha. About 122km (six hours by road) to the south of Sundarbans, this is a go-to spot for birdwatching. Named after Bengal’s Lieutenant Governor Andrew Fraser, whose bungalow’s ruins still remain, it is also known for its windmills. Take a ride on a rustic dinghy or boat — boat and fishing net making workshops dot the town — or make sand castles while basking in the charm of the Sundarbans