Sikkim
Sikkim is the sleepy land of monasteries and monks, a slice of paradise tucked away in the clouds. It's a land steeped in Buddhist culture and traditions. It's also a hotspot with trekkers, who flock here to gaze reverently at and scale the Kanchenjungha, the third-highest peak in the world. You need a permit to visit large parts of the state, so grab one before you pack your bags and head out for Sikkim.How to get there: Take a flight from Kolkata to Bagdogra, then a helicopter ride to the Gangtok helipad.
Must-visits: Enchey Gompa in Gangtok, Old Rumtek, Lingdum Gompa, Phodong, Pemayangtse Gompa
The North-East
The tourist in Calcutta can take the north-east route, traveling to Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya and Tripura. However, a few of these areas are racked by insurgency, so do check before you make your plans. You cannot travel to Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur and Nagaland without a permit, and unless you're a group of at least two married couples.Flights are available to most of these destinations from Kolkata.
Orissa
Orissa is more than just the Puri beach and temple or the Konark Sun Temple. Home to many important historical Jain centers, the state is an architectural delight and a must-see for the heritage hunter. A holiday in Orissa can also be a satisfying cultural experience. Do check out the local textiles here - they're bright, beautiful and will remind you of the colorful riot that Orissa is, even when you're miles away back home.
How to get there: Take a train from Howrah to Puri, Cuttack or Bhubaneshwar, or a flight to Bhubaneshwar
Must-sees: Lingaraj Mandir in Bhubaneshwar, Khandagiri and Udaigiri caves, Nandankanan Zoological Park, Puri, Sun Temple at Konark, Gopalpur-on-Sea, Lalitgiri, Ratnagiri, Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, Simlipal National Park