Start the day by visiting the Kapaleeshwarar Temple, a 7th-century temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Next, head to Fort St. George, the first British fortress in India, and explore its museum. In the afternoon, visit the Government Museum, which has an excellent collection of South Indian bronzes, Roman antiquities, and Indian philately. In the evening, take a stroll along the Marina Beach, the second-longest urban beach in the world.
Start your day early by visiting the Kailasanathar Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the oldest temple in Kanchipuram. Next, explore the Ekambareswarar Temple, a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, with its 1000-pillar hall and 3000-year-old mango tree. In the afternoon, visit the Kamakshi Amman Temple, dedicated to the goddess Kamakshi, and the Varadharaja Perumal Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. In the evening, shop for Kanchipuram silk sarees, which are famous for their gold borders.
Start the day by visiting the Shore Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the oldest temples in South India. Next, explore the Pancha Rathas, a group of five monolithic temples, and the Arjuna's Penance, a giant rock relief. In the afternoon, take a boat ride to see the Five Rathas from the sea. In the evening, watch the light and sound show at the Shore Temple, which narrates the story of Mahabalipuram.
Start the day by visiting the Brihadeeswarar Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the largest temples in India. Next, explore the Thanjavur Palace, which has a collection of sculptures, paintings, and manuscripts. In the afternoon, visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Airavatesvara Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, and the Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple, built by the Chola king Rajendra I. In the evening, watch a Bharatanatyam dance performance, a classical dance form of Tamil Nadu.
Start the day by visiting the Meenakshi Amman Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the largest temples in India, dedicated to the goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar. Next, explore the Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace, which has a fusion of Dravidian and Islamic architectural styles. In the afternoon, visit the Gandhi Memorial Museum, which has a collection of photographs and artifacts related to Mahatma Gandhi. In the evening, take a walk around the historic streets of Madurai, which has a blend of Tamil and Islamic architecture.
Start the day by visiting the Rock Fort Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site and an iconic landmark of Trichy. Next, explore the Srirangam Temple, a temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, with its seven enclosures and 21 gopurams. In the afternoon, visit the St. Joseph's College, which has a blend of Gothic and Islamic architecture. In the evening, take a stroll along the Kaveri River, which flows through Trichy, and watch the sunset.
Other local attractions include the Chettinad Palace, the Rameshwaram Temple, and the Ooty Hill Station. Side trips could include visiting the Pondicherry French Quarter or the Hogenakkal Falls. To maximize your fun, try the local cuisine, which includes dosa, idli, and sambar, and participate in a silk-weaving workshop. Don't forget to take a ride on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage site, which connects Ooty and Mettupalayam. Finally, make sure to check the weather forecast before your trip, as December is the start of the winter season in Tamil Nadu.
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