KERALA - COCHIN

A port city - famous for its unique Chinese fishing nets. It has one of the finest natural harbours. Serves as the starting point for tourists to cover Kerala. There are two major islands of interest, Wellingdon and Bolgatty.

How to reach?Cochin is a major city and hence is accessible by all means (air, rail and surface) from all major places.

ClimateIt is warm round the year. It rains heavily during the months of June, July, August and September.

What to see?

Dutch Palace - built by the Portuguese during the 16th century. It now serves as the portrait gallery of Cochin rajas (rulers).

Jewish Synagogue of Mattancherry - Noted for its copper plated scrolls of old rajas. Also for its handpainted Chinese tiles (none of them resembling any other!) Chinese fishing Nets - These are an interesting sight to see especially during sunrise and sunset.

Willingdon Island and Bolgatty Island - Willingdon island is an artificial island. When they dug the sea for deepening the sea to improve the port, this island emerged out of the desposited silt material!

Kalady - It is the birth palce of Adi Sankaracharya, the philosopher of the 8th century.

FoodMulticuisine restaurants are available with almost all the decent hotels in the city. Please check with the restaurant what oil they use for cooking before taking your seat.

What to wear?Cotton wears are comfortable. If you are from the west, for cultural reasons, please cover yourself adequately (females particularly). In India, people cover themselves as fully as possible, with the exceptions of some tribal communities.

MUNNAR

Thousands of acres of lush green carpet of tea plantations - that is Munnar. Tata tea seems to own most of the landscape available here. There is no room for any commercialization - because there is no free place left for anybody to construct anything. It has got a beautiful dam, with boating facilities. A unique variety of deer lives here. Anamudi, the highest peak in South India, is located here and it is a good trekking spot. Plan a trip during the rainy season - its beauty increases manifold when it really rains in Munnar. A place highly suitable for non-stop honeymooning!

How to reach?Nearby airports are Cochin (135 km) and Madurai(140 km). Railway stations offering approach to this place are Cochin, Dindigul (about 130km) and Coimbatore (165km). There are no direct buses from either Chennai or Bangalore. There are no direct railway connection to this place because Munnar is a hill station. There are ordinary state transport buses from Dindigul, Coimbatore and Cochin. Taxi is advisable if one covers places like Munnar and Thekkady.

ClimatePleasant throughout the year, due to its elevation of 1500 to 1800 meters above mean sea level. Rain lashes in the month of June, July and August. The time when Munnar really looks lush green, with silvery mist surrounding them is August, September, October, November and December.

What to see?It has all the attractions of a typical hill station - water falls, dam with boating facilities, wildlife, trekking and paragliding. Mettupatty dam - 13 km from Munnar. Rajamalai wildlife sanctuary - It has been proclaimed as a National Park. It supports the Nilgiri Tahr (a variety of deer) in great numbers!

FoodThere are restaurants (multicuisine) attached to the hotels available here. But, you do not have any sophisticated eating outlets here apart from the restaurants found in hotels.

What to wear?You need some woolen during nights. During day time, anything is okay.

THEKKADY

(PERIYAR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY)

Periyar wildlife sanctuary, as it is called, is very famous as a tourist spot, both among Indians and foreigners. There is an artificial lake, very long and cutting deep into the forests, which is the major attraction of the place. There are regular boat rides on the lake for about 2 hours and you will get to see herds of elephants and bisons grazing on the higher reaches of the mountains and deer and hogs moving around in groups. Kerala Tourism Development Corporation Ltd (KTDC) has got some of the best and exotic forest accommodations here. For example, the approach to one of its hotels, Lake Palace, is necessarily by boat. And the hotel is cut of from the rest of the forest by a trench (a water passage to prevent animals coming in)! Just from beyond the trench, you can see wild tuskers frowning you! Gut-wrenching? It is!

How to reach?Nearest airport is Madurai (160 km) - Nearest railway stations are Madurai and Dindigul. Kottayam also has a railway station and from Kottayam to Thekkady is 120 km.

ClimateIt is moderate. Altitude only is about 1000 meters above mean sea level. It rains heavily during monsoon (June, July and August).

What to see?The only major attraction here is the boat ride that you take on the lake for about 2 hours. You will get to see wild tuskers, bisons, deer groups, wild hogs and exotic birds. Spotting tigers is rare, though there are tigers in the forest. Elephant safaris are being arranged by the Forest Department (Contact the hotel for help).

FoodVery good multi-cuisine restaurants are available with the hotels in Thekkady.

What to wear?Nothing specially recommended.

ALLEPEY

BACKWATERS OF KERALA

Alleppey is called `the Venice of the East’ because of its meandering waterways and canals. Here the city buses are boats! Into the backwaters, people live in small islands which are not connected to the mainland by road. A housewife has to row her boat to buy even a match box. The entire backwater area can be summed up in three words paddy fields, waterways and coconut trees. The famous `Snake Boat Race’ takes place every year here.

How to reach?Alleppey is just 60 km south of Cochin. It is four hours drive from Trivandrum. 5 hours drive from Munnar and Thekkady each. There is no airport in Alleppey but Cochin has got an international airport.

ClimateIt is warm round the year. It rains heavily during the months of June, July, August and September.

What to see?Lush green paddyfields, swaying palms and winding waterways. There are small islands inside the backwater network which are not connected to the mainland. People who live on those islands commute by a country boat even to buy a match box! Housewives to children are experts in rowing a boat without losing direction!

FoodIf you stay on a houseboat, the food is homely. A chef prepares food from inside the kitchen aboard the boat. Simple but delicious Kerala style food is served. People in Kerala use coconut oil to cook their food. If you think you may not be comfortable with it, they follow your instructions promptly not to use it. If you stay on any of the hotels on the mainland, you get all types of food.

What to wear?Cotton wears are comfortable.

KOVALAM

BEAUTIFUL. Only this word describes Kovalam beach correctly. The magic spell cast by the pristine blue waters is unending. One can stay months on end.

How to reach?It is just 19 km away from Trivandrum city. Trivandrum is connected by air from all major cities. Connected by rail also. Luxury buses operate to this place from most of the major cities. From Trivandrum city, you can reach the beach either by taxi, or autorikshaw or by buses.

ClimateIt is hot place. But it is pleasant by the sea side where there are palm trees lining the beach. It rains during June, July and August.

What to see?As applies to Trivandrum city.

FoodThere are multicuisine restaurants attached to all standard hotels.

What to wear?Cotton is always preferable.

CALICUT

Calicut has got great historical importance - it is here that Vasco-da-Gama landed in 1498! It was one of the great ports on the west cost and is serving as a port for

steamers even today. There are a number of mosques, churches and temples some which carry historical importance. Calicut is sandwiched between the Arabian sea and the sprawling hills of Wynad district.

How to reach?There is an airport at Kariupur, 23 km from city centre. Calicut is well connected by rail and road from other major cities.

What to see?Dolphin’s point - Here one can see dolphins playing in the sea in the early hours of morning.It has got a long stretch of tree lined sand beach. People enjoy the cool breeze in the evenings. Kappad Beach - It is here that Vasco-da-Gama set foot on 27 May, 1498 A.D. Kallai - One of the Asia’s largest timber trading centres. (6 km away from Calicut). Tellicherry and Sultan’s Battery.

FoodMulti - cuisine restaurants are available with the hotels as well as in the town.

What to wear?Climate is hot and humid and hence cotton is better.

KANYAKUMARI

This is the confluence of three seas - the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian sea.

How to reach?

The nearest airport is Trivandrum (100 km away). The town is well connected by rail and road from all major places. For tourists who want to go from Bangalore, the good news is that there is a direct train every day from Bangalore to Kanniyakumari. The train leaves by 9.15 p.m and arrives at Kanniyakumari the next day at about 5.00 p.m. Alternatively, one can go via Madurai also. From Madurai, Kanniyakumari is about 8 hrs drive.

ClimateIt is a hot and humid place.

What to see?The sunrise and sun set here is spectacular, with the sun giving an impression of peeping out of and drowning in to the sea! The rock momorial of Swami Vivekananda is located here, about half a km into the sea!

FoodLimited variety of food is available with the restaurants attached to hotels as well as in town. Indian varieties of food will be dominant.

What to wear?Cotton is ideal.

WAYANAD

This is located in the northern part of Kerala. Not yet developed in terms of tourist accommodations. A very nice, peaceful place, cut off completely from the hustle-bustle of city life. About 7 hours drive from Mysore. Wayanad derives from the expression "wayalnadu" which means a land of paddy fields. Has the climate of a hill station like that of Ooty. One gets to see plantations of coffee, tea

and cardamom everywhere! It offers a panorama of rolling hills and dales. A lot of tribals are living in this area.Wayanad has a small Jain community consisting of the Gounders who came from Karnataka. They have built temples all over the district.

How to reach?The nearest airport is Calicut (about 4 hours drive). The town Kalpetta is well connected by road from Calicut (4 hours). From Bangalore, Kalpatta is 8 to 9 hours of drive.

ClimateIt is a bit cold throughout the year.

What to see?Kalpetta, the headquarters of Wayanad district has the famours Ananthanatha swamy Jain Temple. The Glass Temple of Kottamunda is 20 km away from Kalpetta. Lakkadi - a place of great scenic beauty with picturesque hills.

FoodLimited varieties of food available, with the hotels here.What to wear?Woolen is advisable.

KODAIKANAL

One of the most beautiful hill stations, at an altitude of about 2400 meters above mean sea level. The topography of the place forms wild trees. There is a beautiful lake here and boating on this lake is a pleasure. Around the lake, you have such fun-filled activities like cycling and horse-riding. It has

some the best views of the valley.

How to reach?The nearest airports are Madurai (140km) and Coimbatore (165km). Well connected by road from all major and minor places. The nearest railheads are Kodaikanal Road Junction (70km) and Coimbatore (165km).

ClimatePleasant throughout the year.

What to see?It has all the pleasures of a typical hill station.

Kodai Lake - The most beautiful looking lake in the South. It has got rowing as well as pedalling boats available for pleasure rides. Around the lake, we see a lot of horse-ride and cycling.

Silver cascade is the water falls.

Senbaganur Museum.

Pillar’s Rock - One waits here to see the rock during the intervals when the mist disappears.

Coaker’s walk - It is a nice walk on the edge of a hill.

FoodGood multi-cuisine restaurants are available with the hotels. Outside hotels, Astoria Restaurant is good for vegetarian food.

What to wear?Year round, it is cold here. Woolen is a must here.

OOTY

The queen of hill stations - they call it. Thousands of acres of cultivable land! They grow oranges, apples, tea and cordamom! Altitude about 2500 meters above mean sea level. Boasts of some of the most scenic valleys. At its foothills, we have one of the most famous wildlife sanctuary - Mudumalai.

How to reach?

Ooty is 100 km away from Coimbatore, which has got airport, rail and bus connection from all major places. For people from Bangalore, the route is via Mysore. There is a toy train running between Mettupalayam and Ooty daily. The train starts from Mettupalayam in the morning and returns to the same place by evening.

ClimateQuite a chill place, round the year.

What to see?It is a beautiful hill station. The attractions are Botanical gardens, Doddbetta peak, Coonoon, Pykara dam, valley view, etc.

FoodNo problem at all. There are plenty of good restaurants attached to hotels as well as in town.

What to wear?Woolen is a must.

GOA

Within Goa, I donot want life of place. Make only one place for Goa.

How to reach?Goa is accessible by air, rail and buses from all major cities.How to Reach Goa by Air: Almost all airlines connect Dabolim Airport of the state Sometimes even chartered flights are operated directly to and from Goa.How to Reach Goa by Rail: The main Railway Station is Madgaon. Along with this, other railway stations like Vasco-da-Gama, Tivim and Karmali are well connected by trains with the rest of the country.How to Reach Goa by Road: National Highways 4A, 17, 17A, and State Highways run through the state. Major cities of Goa are connected to major cities of India.ClimateQuite hot and sultry climate during the day. At night, climate is still sultry!

What to see in Goa?Endless beaches of beautiful sand! There also some chruches, constructed along the Portuguese style and interesting places to see in goa.

FoodThe non-vegetarians will have a good time feasting on sea food available in plenty. The vegetarians will also have a good deal in almost all the restaurants available with the hotels as well as in the town.

What to wear?Cotton is a must!

MYSORE

It is famed for two things – the Maharaja’s palace (about 500 times bigger than our normal household!) and the aesthetically laid out Brindhavan Gardens, located right next to the huge Krishnaraja sagar dam.

How to reach?Mysore is 140 km from Bangalore, about 3 hours drive. Usually, people visit Mysore only from Bangalore. There is no air conncection to this place. There are plenty of trains to this palce from Bangalore. KSRTC buses are available almost every one hour. A lot of private tour operators as well as KSTDC arrange daily sight-seeing trips to Mysore and Ooty.

ClimateModerate climatic conditions.

What to see?Maharaja’s palace – If we compare the size of our household to this palace, we will be amazed to realize that it is about 500 times bigger! It belonged to the traditional rulers of Mysore.

Illuminated Brindhavan Gardens – Located by the side of the huge Krishnarajasagar dam, which stores water from the flow of Cauvery river. People assemble to see the spectacular musical fountain in the nights.

FoodThere are plenty of multi-cuisine restaurants available with all the hotels as well as in the town.

What to wear?It is a slightly hot place. Cotton is advisable.

Bangalore:

A city of many epithets - the Garden City, the Electronic City, the IT city, the Pub City and the City of Beautiful Girls! The city is growing at an alarming rate. The traffic is heavy and pollution is

unchecked. It is, otherwise, a beautiful city of gardens! With its equable climatic conditions, a lot of people have chosen this to be their abode after retirement! Bangalore’s tree-lined avenues are a sight in itself! If you are one of the persons who has sympathy for the place, please call a newspaper office and convey your sadness that the government has not done anything to check pollution in the city’s roads.

How to reach?Bangalore is a major city and hence is accessible by all means (air, rail and surface) from all major places.

ClimateBangalore is a semi hill-station, at an altitude of 950 meters above mean sea level. Hence, it enjoys an equable weather throughout the year. It rains during the months of June, July and August. You may need a pull-over during the months of November and December when it is a bit cold.

What to see?

The Lalbagh Gardens - It is a lush green paradise of 240 acre spread. It houses some of the rare tropical and sub-tropical plants and trees. Seedlings and plants can be purchased from here.

The Cubbon Park - It is an amusement park, located right in the heart of the city. A children’s park entertains children with toy trains and plenty of dolls.

Vidhan Soudha - It means in the local language, Kannada, legislature bulding. It is a collosal construction and houses the state legislature and secretariat. It looks more beautiful on Sundays when it is illuminated.

Tipu Sultan’s Palace - Tipu Sultan, the local ruler, constructed this during the 18th century. Bull Temple - It has a very big monolithic bull measuring 4.5mts in height and 6.5 mts in length. Mythologically, this bull was the vehicle of Lord Shiva.

Apart from all these, Bangalore is famous for its gorgeous pubs which serve beer to music! A number of resorts are coming up on the outskirts of Bangalore. Brigade road and Commercial street offer plenty of shopping of fashionable dresses to everything!

FoodYou get anything edible here! Procure a copy of the magazine 'Bangalore Fortnightly' for more information. It can be collected free from any standard hotels or call us for a copy.

What to wear?Woolen may be needed in November and December. Other months, anything is okay!

Caution - Do not use autorikshaws during odd hours. Use them only in broad day light. Go to eliable, established companies for all your travel and other needs. Do not flaunt cash, gold, etc.

MANALI

A snowy hill station in Himachal Pradesh. It is famous for its hot springs and snow-clad mountains. About 350 km north of Chandigarh.

How to reach?The nearest airport is at Kullu, about 40 km. Conveniently, one can travel by train from Delhi to Chandigarh and from there one can take an overnight bus (about 10 hours). Or, one can go first to Shimla from Delhi and from there, one can reach Manali by bus(Shimla-Manali is 8 hrs by bus). Most people prefer a bus from Delhi and the same way a direct bus from Manali to Delhi.

ClimateQuite a cold place.

What to see?Manikaran, an intersting place where you get to see hot water springs. Water coming out of the spirngs is so hot that you can cook your bowl of rice with it! The other places are Rohtang pass, Tibetan monastery and Hadimba palace.

FoodMulti-cuisine restaurants are available in plenty with the hotels here.

What to wear?Woolen.

SHIMLA

Shimla is in Himachal Pradesh - a popular hill station. Pictures about Shimla always show snow-clad mountains and it is true of the place. Ideal for honeymooners.

How to reach?

Shimla is 360 km from Delhi. It is connected by air, rail and buses. If you go by train, you will travel by the normal train until you reach a place called, Kalka. After Kalka, you have to travel for five hours by a toy train!

ClimateA cold place.

What to see?In winter, you see a lot of snow clad mountains and snow fall. Skiing is possible here.

FoodGood multi-cuisine restaurants are available with the hotels as well as in the town.

What to wear?Woolen.

DARJEELING

A beautiful hill station of West Bengal. Darjeeling and Gangtok form a tourist circuit.

How to reach?The nearest airport is Bagdogra, about 4 hours drive. The nearest railhead is New Jalpaiguri (about 4 hours). From Siliguri(which is the same as New Jalpaiguri and Bagdogra for all practical purposes), you have plenty of taxies available.

ClimateIt is a hill station. Very pleasant.

What to see?The typical attractions of a hill station. Good promenades with a view of the Himlayas. The tiger hills, from where you get a glimpse of the gorgeous sun rise early in the mornings. A number of Bhuddhist monasteries are there.

FoodTypically north Indian.

What to wear?Woolen.

MADURAI

A temple city. The Meenakshi Amman Temple is a grand masterpiece, built by stone. Its beautiful sculptures will enthrall you.

How to reach?Madurai is accessible by air, rail and bus from major cities.

ClimateA hot place, almost round the year.

What to see?Madurai is called the "Temple City". It is famous for the Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple. As a piece of architecture, it is marvelous! It is a grand structure, with high roofs and abounding

sculptures! One should see it to know it!

FoodThere are good restaurants attached to hotels. If you are in Madurai, try to taste their speciality dish, idli, for breakfast.

What to wear?Cotton is suggested.

RAMESHWARAM

This is a pilgrim centre. We do not have sophisticated hotels. Still, we can give you functional hotels in the range of Rs.600-800. Please e-mail us for details.

How to reach?Rameshwaram is 165 km away from Madurai, which is connected by air, rail and bus from major places.

ClimateQuite a hot place throughout the year.

What to see?Sri Ramanatha swamy temple is a huge one, with its architectural beauty. Inside this temple there are about 27 wells and devotees draw water from each well and pour it on their heads, in the belief

that all the sins are washed away by this act. The other important temple is that of Shri Rama, where you see two foot prints Shri Rama on the rocky floor, from where it is believed, Shri Rama used to see Sri Lanka.

FoodOnly limited varieties, predominantly Indian, are available with the restaurants attached to quite a few hotels.

What to wear?Cotton wear is a must.

MUDUMALAI

WILDLIFE SANCTUARYAt the foothills of Ooty, this is a wildlife sanctuary. Herds of elephants and bisons can be seen without much effort.

How to reach?It is 80 km from Mysore and about the same distance from Ooty. Mysore is 160 km from Bangalore and Bangalore is connected well by air, rail and bus. There are plenty of buses going from Bangalore and Mysore to Ooty via Mudumalai.

ClimateModerate climatic condition.

What to see?You can take a jeep safari organized by the hotel. Chances are there that you will see elephants. Spotting tigers and leopards may be rare..

FoodThere are only two restaurants attached to the two important forest hotels, Jungle Hut and Monarch Safari Park.

What to wear?Cotton is still preferable.

MAHABLIPURAM

It is a nice beach, 40 km from Chennai. Here we see, some of the relics of ancient, Pallava architecture. We have boating at Muttukadu lake, near Mahablipuram. There is huge crocodile farm also.

How to reach?Mahablipuram is 45 km away from Chenni (Madras). Madras is a major city and is connected by air, rail and buses very well. Madras has an international airport.

ClimateHot and humid place. It rains during the months of August, September and October. Whenever there is a low-pressure formation in the Bay of Bengal, you get incessant and copious rains!

What to see?The beach is excellent, uncrowded and calm except the roar of the waves. Here you see the 10 centuries old temple constructed by the Pallava dynasty. Quite a few theme parks are there to entertain children and adults alike. There is a crocodile farm and boating on the Muttukadu lake.

FoodYou have to depend solely on the restaurants owned by the hotels. Multi-cuisine restaurants are available with all the major hotels.

What to wear?Quite a hot and humid place. Cotton is a must!