Tamil Nadu and Kerala combined, make for the perfect, hugely varied but fairly long tour of The South. Ranging from grand cities to old, colonial seaside towns to stunning temple towns, architectural gems, pretty coffee and cardamom estates in the hills and dripping jungle, to busy port towns, to peaceful backwaters (canals) and glorious beaches – the itinerary suggested here has it all and will leave you with lasting memories and a deep insight into the area.

• Day 1 - Fly to Chennai for 2 nights
• Day 2 - Exploring the city, famous during the Raj era
• Day 3 - Drive to Pondicherry for 2 nights at this lovely old French colonial seaside town
• Day 4 - Exploring Pondicherry
• Day 5 - Drive to Thanjavur for 1 night at Svatma, and explore the exceptional temples that abound here
• Day 6 – Drive to Karaikudi for 2 nights at the delightful Bangala
• Day 7 – Exploring the myriad, wonderful mansions with their diverse and distinctive architecture
• Day 8 - Drive to Rajakkad, high in the hills, possibly via Madurai – 2 nights at this lovely place
• Day 9 - Exploring the village, hills and coffee estate or relaxing in a hammock
• Day 10 - Drive to Munnar for 2 nights at the charming Windermere Estate
• Day 11 - Walking in the hills and cardamom estate
• Day 12 - Drive to Muvattapuzha for 2 nights at the delightful, homely Indian Summer House or at lovely, riverside Windermere River House
• Day 13 - Exploring the rubber plantations, learning Malayali cooking, yoga, cycle rides, river trips, village walks
• Day 14 - Drive to Cochin for 2 nights
• Day 15 - Exploring Cochin, a fascinating old Dutch colonial port town, comprising of islands
• Day 16 - Train to Neeleshwar for 1 night gently cruising the backwaters on the Lotus boat
• Day 17 - Disembark and drive to Neeleshwar for 3 nights at heavenly Neeleshwar Hermitage
• Days 18 & 19 - Relaxing on the beach, taking spa treatments, visiting local forts and temples and seeing local martial arts performances
• Day 20 - Drive Mangalore. Fly to Bombay and home. Or Day 9 Drive to Madurai and fly to Colombo for a fun week in Sri Lanka