Tamil Nadu
1. Chennai
Why Go?
Chennai the gateway to Tamil Nadu and a major airport in Southern India
Best location in Chennai to stay is T.Nagar near the Pondi Bazaar and some good spots to eat.
The Residency Towers has a good buffet breakfast great for sampling South Indian breakfast
Where to Eat (Chennai is famous for idlis)
(Pondy Bazaar and near Kapalweeshwar Temple)
What to See
Top ten in Tamil Nadu Map (source Lonely Planet – South India and Kerala)
2. Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram)
About 1-1 ½ hours south of Chennai on the coast.
Why Go?
Visitors stop here to see the World Heritage listed temples and carvings, particularly lovely at sunset, but I’m hoping to sample the fish curry at the Seashore Garden Restaurant, that Rick Stein declared was the best curry in all of India.
Where to Stay?
Why Go?
A former French colony on the coast, where Indian and French foods and architecture blend to achieve some lovely street scenes, good shopping and creole cusine.
or
Les Hibiscus – A Lonely Planet Guide top pick in Tamil Nadu
What to do?
Sita Flavours Cooking Class and Bike Tour
And two stops in different Chettinadu towns:
4. Karaikudi
Why Go?
Stay in a mansion and enjoy authentic spicy Chettinad cuisine.
The Bangala – Famous for it’s food – the set lunch or dinner is a Chettinadar wedding feast
5. Kanadukathan
Why Go?
Stay in a beautifully restored mansion and enjoy authentic spicy Chettinad cuisine.
Visalam – A Lonely Planet top pick in Tamil Nadu, a gorgeous art deco restored mansion with great style and a lovely pool and garden.
6. Madurai
Why Go?
One of the oldest cities in India, that traded with Ancient Rome and home of the amazing Meenakshi AmmanTemple
Where to Stay?
West Marrett Hotel
7. Kodaikanal
Why Go?
A misty hill station in the Palni hills. Popular for it’s spectacular lookout points, waterfalls and very pretty lake.
Lonely Planet’s top picks:
Why Go?
Coonoor A hill station with beautiful scenery in the Nilgiri Hills and on the Nilgiri Toy Train Railway line.
180 McIver – A Lonely Planet top pick in Tamil Nadu and a classic 1880s British bungalow
Why Go?
Ooty another hill station of the Raj era in the Nilgiri Hills with great scenery.
How to get there?
Take the famous toy train to Ooty
10. Mysore
Where to Stay?
What to Do?
11. Madikeri
Why Go?
The centre of Coorg culture and cuisine, coffee plantations and hill stations.
Where to Stay?
12. Bangalore
Where to Stay?
What to Do?
Where to Eat?
Fine Eating 