Chennai: This metropolis is often called the cultural capital of India for its deep-rooted traditions and long heritage. More than any other city in India it is a true reflection of India’s diversity. In 1639 Francis Day and Andrew Cogan, agents for the English East India Company, acquired a strip of land on lease from the Vijayanagar King. They built the Fort St.George, which remains one of the city’s important landmarks and serves as the Government Secretariat today. The surrounding villages slowly merged with the new developments to form Chennapatnam. The city was called Madras until 1996 and then renamed Chennai. Today this buoyant metropolis is a blend of the old and the new, the traditional and the modern.

Mahabalipuram: or Mamallapuram is one of the most outstanding examples of Dravidian art and architecture and a jewel in the crown of Tamil Nadu. In a land that is liberally strewn with some of the best in temple art, Mamallapuram holds its own and stands as a silent yet eloquent witness to the glory of its creators. Mamallapuram's wonders in rock leave visitors enthralled, conveying as they do, an impression of beauty and harmony. The monuments are floodlit at night and so it is possible to enjoy their beauty even after sunset.

Kanchipuram: Easily accessible from Mahabalipuram, Kanchipuram was once famous for its thousand temples. Today only about a 100 temples remain and are worth a visit. Kanchipuram also has some notable churches and mosques. Apart from its temples, this small town is also known for its thriving handloom industry. Woven from pure mulberry silk, the sarees woven in dazzling colours are embellished with fine gold thread (zari) and are available in a wide variety.

Thanjavur: Thanjavur rose to glory during the later Chola period between the 9th and 14th centuries A.D. It has been the treasure house of art for centuries and is called the Rice Bowl of Tamil Nadu. Thanjavur is well-known throughout the world for being the home to some magnificent temples, the Rajah Serfoji's Saraswathi Mahal Library, Art Gallery and also for its exquisite handicrafts like the Art Plate, pith work, bronze icons, Thanjavur paintings and the classical South Indian musical instruments.

Tiruchirappally: One of the largest cities in Tamil nadu, Tiruchirapally is a fine blend of the traditional and the modern. Apart from the fort there are several churches, colleges and missions dating back to the 1760s. This town is also called the Rome of the East because every Christian denomination has some kind of an establishment in this city.

Madurai: Madurai, located on the banks of the river Vaigai is a place of great historical and cultural importance and is the oldest city in Tamil Nadu. Tamil and Greek documents record its existence from the 4th century B.C. Famous for its cultural and scholarly pursuits, the city had an academy consisting of critics, poets and savants highly esteemed both by kings and commoners. Madurai is famous for its Meenakshi Temple which has a thousand pillars. Today, Madurai is a modern commercial and industrial city, with a vast University campus and is renowned for its weaving mills and dyeing industry. The chungadi cotton sarees are the speciality of this city with its colourful tie and dye motifs. Handicrafts, brassware, bronze items and the famous wooden toys of Madurai are some of the notable artifacts. Madurai is 450 kms from Chennai.

Chettinad: Chettinad, rich in cultural heritage, art and architecture, is well known for its houses that are embellished with marble and Burma teak. The grand and wonderfully embellished houses reflect the prosperity of the Nagarathar community who resided here. Chettinad is also famous for its cuisine.

Ooty: Called the Queen of all Hill Stations, picturesque, green Udhagamandalam better known as Ooty is the most popular hill station in the South. Apart from coffee and tea plantations, trees like conifers, eucalyptus, pine and wattle dot the hillside in Ooty. Curiously enough, this slice of paradise remained unknown to the great southern dynasties until it was discovered by the British in 1800 who built its first railway line and made it the summer capital of the Madras Presidency.

Kodaikanal: The hill station Kodaikanal was created to serve the needs of the British and Europeans in India. The 20th century saw elite Indians enter Kodaikanal to enjoy its charm and beauty and to harness its natural wealth for development. Today, the charm of Kodaikanal lies in its wooded slopes and gigantic trees. The mighty rocks, bowers, creeks and slopes captivate the visitors. The climb to the various jutting rocks at Kodai is rewarding. The arduous climb to the Pillar rocks, to a height of 400 ft, is a must for every visitor to this hill resort.

Bangalore: Also known as the Garden city, Bangalore, the capital city of Karnataka, is a veritable melting pot of various races and cultures. The city’s landscape is dotted with laid out parks, gardens and long avenues of blossoming trees. Emerging as the hi-tech capital of India, it still retains a charm that is totally Indian. There are numerous 'not-to-be-missed' sights in Bangalore such as the magnificent Vidhana Soudha, sprawling Cubbon Park, and colourful Lalbagh.

Mysore: Steeped in History, Mysore - the adobe of untold grandeur and glory - is where the rich heritage of the Wodeyar Kings is carefully preserved to this day in its magnificent palaces, beautifully laid-out gardens, imposing buildings, board shady avenues and sacred temples. There's an old world charm about the city. Built in Indo-Saracenic style with domes, turrets, arches and colonnades, the Palace is a treasure house of exquisite carvings and works of art from all over the world.

Hampi: Set amidst an awesome boulder-strewn landscape along the banks of the Tungabhadra river 12km away from the sleepy town of Hospet in Bellary district, Hampi was the magnificent capital of the mighty Vijayanagar kingdom. This was a city whose merchants offered diamonds, pearls, fine silks, brocades, horses, and, according to one Portuguese visitor, "every sort of thing on earth." A visit to Hampi is a sojourn into the past. The best way to experience this World Heritage Site is to take a leisurely stroll through the eloquent ruins.

Badami: Picturesquely situated at the mouth of a ravine between two rocky hills, the exquisite sculptures and the rust red sandstone cliffs of Badami tell many a tale of yore. Climb a flight of steps to reach the four ancient rock-cut caves replete with carved pillars and bracket figures, all hewn from red sandstone on the precipice of a hill. The first sculptural embellishment to dazzle the eye is the 18-armed Nataraja striking 81 dance poses in the first cave.

Aihole: A tranquil village on the banks of the Malaprabha river, Aihole is acclaimed as the cradle of Hindu temple architecture. There are hundreds of temples in the villages and fields nearby. The most impressive one is the Durga Temple with its semicircular apse, elevated plinth, and the gallery encircling the sanctum.

Pattadakkal: With its beautifully chiseled temples, this World Heritage site on the banks of the Malaprabha river bears testimony to the richness of Chalukyan architecture. Pattadakal reached its pinnacle of glory under the Chalukya Kings and was once used as a ceremonial centre where Kings were crowned and commemorated. It has a cluster of 10 major temples, each displaying interesting architectural features.

Belur: On the banks of the Yagachi river in Belur, a star-shaped temple with hand lathe-turned pillars and sculptures will take your breath away. It is the only Hoysala temple still in active worship. Friezes of charging elephants, each different from the other, mythological figures, military scenes, dancers and musicians, and elaborate decorative motifs charge the imagination. Halebid: Just 17km away from Belur is Halebid, the ancient capital of the Hoysala kings. Its walls are richly carved with an endless variety of Hindu deities, sages, stylised animals, birds, and friezes depicting the life of the Hoysala Kings. The temple complex has a museum which houses the idols, statues, busts, and sculptures excavated by the Archaeological Department from the ruins.

Coorg: Not really too far from the bustle of metropolitan cities, Kodagu or Coorg as it is better known, has maintained its serene picturesque beauty over the centuries. The British called this land Scotland of India. These breathtakingly beautiful rolling hills in Karnataka nestling in cash rich coffee plantations, clear skies and a warm, friendly and hospitable people create a special aura unmatched anywhere else.

Nagarhole - Rajiv Gandhi National Park: Explore the environs of Nagarhole, Kannada for 'Snake River.' The Rajiv Gandhi National Park derives its name from the winding course of the river that flows through the forests. Nagarhole has an astonishing abundance of wildlife, especially the Asiatic elephant. The backdrop of the distant misty blue Brahmagiri Mountains, the natural sounds of the jungle, the gurgling of streams and rivers, and the twittering of the birds all make Nagarhole a memorable experience.