7-Day Romantic Getaway: Exploring the Gems of Tamil Nadu for Couples

Day 1: Chennai Cultural Start

Chennai, India on June 4, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at The Marina

Enjoy a traditional South Indian breakfast with soft idlis, crispy dosas, and aromatic filter coffee at The Marina, a popular local eatery open from 7am to 11am.
INR250, 1h0m

9:30am

Marina Beach Walk

Stroll along Marina Beach, one of the longest urban beaches in the world, to enjoy the sea breeze and vibrant local life. Best visited early morning to avoid crowds and heat.
Free, 1h0m

11:00am

Visit Kapaleeshwarar Temple

Explore this beautiful 7th-century Dravidian-style temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, notable for its vibrant colors and intricate carvings.
Free, 1h30m

1:00pm

Lunch at Rayar's Mess

Savor a hearty traditional Tamil meal in this iconic local restaurant well-known for its authentic flavors and vegetarian cuisine, open till 3pm.
INR300, 1h0m

2:30pm

Visit Government Museum

Discover rich Tamil Nadu history and culture with extensive collections of bronze artifacts, sculptures, and ancient coins at this museum, open till 5pm.
INR15, 1h30m

5:00pm

Relax at Elliot’s Beach

Unwind at the quiet Elliot’s Beach with a romantic sunset view, perfect to relax after a culturally packed day.
Free, 1h0m

7:30pm

Dinner at The Raintree Roof

Enjoy a fine dining experience with panoramic city views offering a mix of Indian and continental dishes, perfect for a romantic evening.
INR1500, 2h0m
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Day 2: Heritage and Seaside

Mahabalipuram, India on June 5, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at hotel

Start your day with a wholesome breakfast at your hotel before heading to Mahabalipuram, about 1.5 hours from Chennai.
Included, 1h0m

9:00am

Travel to Mahabalipuram

Drive down the scenic East Coast Road from Chennai to Mahabalipuram, famous for its UNESCO-listed temples and rock carvings.
Transportation cost varies, 1h30m

10:30am

Explore Shore Temple

Visit the iconic Shore Temple — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — famous for its ancient Dravidian architecture facing the Bay of Bengal.
INR50, 1h0m

11:30am

Visit Pancha Rathas

Discover the five monolithic rock-cut temples shaped like chariots, each uniquely named after Pandava brothers from Mahabharata.
INR50, 1h0m

1:00pm

Lunch at Moonrakers

Enjoy fresh seafood and Indian dishes by the sea at this popular beachfront restaurant, open from 12pm to 3pm.
INR600, 1h0m

2:30pm

Visit Arjuna’s Penance

Marvel at the giant open-air bas-relief depicting tales from Indian mythology, one of the largest in the world.
INR50, 45m

4:00pm

Relax at Mahabalipuram Beach

Spend a peaceful evening walking along the sandy shores and watching the sunset over the sea.
Free, 1h0m

7:00pm

Dinner at The Wharf

Dine at The Wharf with romantic seaside ambience offering exceptional seafood and Indian fusion dishes.
INR900, 1h30m
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Day 3: French Quarter Charm

Pondicherry, India on June 6, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast in Mahabalipuram

Enjoy a light breakfast at your hotel before traveling to Pondicherry.
Included, 1h0m

9:00am

Travel to Pondicherry

Take a pleasant 2-hour drive south to charming Pondicherry, known for its unique blend of French colonial heritage and Tamil culture.
Transportation cost varies, 2h0m

11:30am

Explore French Quarter

Stroll through the picturesque streets with colonial architecture, vibrant cafes, and boutique shops. Ideal for romantic exploration.
Free, 2h0m

1:30pm

Lunch at Café des Arts

Relax in this quirky café offering French-inspired dishes, perfect for a light and romantic lunch, open from 9am to 9pm.
INR700, 1h0m

3:00pm

Visit Auroville

Explore the unique international township focused on sustainable living; don’t miss the Matrimandir for meditation (visit timings 9am-12pm and 2pm-4:30pm).
Free, 2h0m

6:30pm

Evening walk on Promenade Beach

Enjoy a stroll on the clean, breezy promenade as the sun sets, indulging in local snacks from nearby vendors.
Free, 1h0m

8:00pm

Dinner at Villa Shanti

Experience fine dining with a mix of Indian and French cuisine in a romantic heritage villa setting, open from 7pm to 11pm.
INR1200, 2h0m
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Day 4: Temples and Tradition

Thanjavur, India on June 7, 2025

6:00am

Early breakfast and travel

Start with an early breakfast and take a 5-hour drive to Thanjavur, the heart of Tamil art and architecture.
INR200, 5h0m

11:00am

Visit Brihadeeswarar Temple

Explore the magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Brihadeeswarar Temple, an architectural marvel dedicated to Lord Shiva.
INR40, 1h30m

1:00pm

Lunch at Sree Ariya Bhojanam

Taste authentic South Indian thali meals in a relaxed environment near the temple, open till 4pm.
INR350, 1h0m

2:30pm

Visit Thanjavur Palace and Art Gallery

Discover royal history with paintings, bronze idols, and traditional Tamil artifacts in the palace museum, open till 5pm.
INR50, 1h30m

5:00pm

Evening leisure

Relax at your hotel or take a small walk around the town market known for Tanjore paintings.
Free, 1h0m

7:30pm

Dinner at Hotel Gnanam

Enjoy the specialties of Tamil Nadu cuisine in this cozy restaurant, open till 10pm.
INR700, 1h30m
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Day 5: Temple City Vibes

Madurai, India on June 8, 2025

6:00am

Breakfast and travel

Early breakfast then a 3-hour drive to Madurai, famous for its grand temples.
INR150, 3h0m

9:30am

Visit Meenakshi Amman Temple

Spend the morning exploring this stunning and intricately sculpted temple complex dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi, open 6am-12pm and 4pm-9pm.
Free, 3h0m

12:30pm

Lunch at Murugan Idli Shop

Try delicious soft idlis and other South Indian dishes at this local favorite, open till 3pm.
INR200, 1h0m

2:00pm

Visit Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace

Explore the majestic 17th-century palace with beautiful architecture and light-and-sound shows (check timings for evening events).
INR50, 1h30m

4:00pm

Relax at Teppakulam Tank

Enjoy a peaceful walk around the large temple tank perfect for a romantic sunset view.
Free, 1h0m

7:00pm

Dinner at The Crown

Dine at this elegant restaurant offering North Indian, South Indian and Chinese dishes in a fine setting.
INR900, 1h30m
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Day 6: Hill Station Escape

Kodaikanal, India on June 9, 2025

6:00am

Early breakfast and drive

Start early with breakfast then embark on a 4-hour scenic drive to the hill station of Kodaikanal.
INR400, 4h0m

10:30am

Boat Ride at Kodaikanal Lake

Enjoy a relaxing rowboat or pedal boat ride on the serene star-shaped lake surrounded by hills, open from 9am to 5:30pm.
INR100, 1h0m

12:00pm

Lunch at Cloud Street

Savor artisan coffee and fresh sandwiches or pizzas in this cozy café known for local and continental fare, open till 6pm.
INR600, 1h0m

1:30pm

Visit Coaker’s Walk

Take a gentle stroll along this paved pathway offering breathtaking views of the valley and hills.
Free, 1h0m

3:00pm

Visit Bryant Park

Explore this beautifully maintained botanical garden with a variety of flowers and trees, open till 6pm.
INR20, 1h0m

5:00pm

Evening Tea at The Carlton

Relax with an evening tea or coffee at the luxurious Carlton hotel, soaking in hill station vibes.
INR300, 1h0m

7:30pm

Dinner at TTK Tamil Cuisine

Experience authentic Tamil homestyle food made with fresh ingredients and traditional recipes.
INR800, 1h30m
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Day 7: Return Journey

Chennai, India on June 10, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at hotel

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel before checking out.
Included, 1h0m

8:00am

Drive back to Chennai

Embark on a 9-hour drive back to Chennai, breaking the journey with short stops for refreshments.
INR400, 9h0m

5:30pm

Dinner at Southern Spice, Chennai

End your trip with an exquisite dinner at Southern Spice located in Taj Coromandel, acclaimed for its exquisite South Indian flavors.
INR1500, 1h30m
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