Regions at a Glance
South India is a wonderfully diverse patchwork of states. The vernaculars are varied, the customs are distinctive, there’s an astonishing (and delectable) range of culinary choices and the topography is spectacularly manifold. A mind-melting mix of state of the art and timeless tradition, the south rewards you with an invigorating, all-out sensory assault, regardless of your chosen destination.
For travellers, South India’s remarkable diversity is most often apparent in its extraordinary wealth of architecture, cuisine, wildlife, landscapes, festivals, handicrafts and performing arts. And then there’s spirituality – the heart, indeed, of the entire nation – which faithfully beats all the way from the jagged peaks of the snowy Himalaya to the lush, steamy jungles of the deep south.
Mumbai
Colonial-Era Relics
The British left behind striking colonial-era architecture in Mumbai, highlighted by the Unesco-listed Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, the High Court and the University of Mumbai.
Culture & Cuisine
Mumbai’s collision of cultures makes it a haven for food lovers. Flavours from all over India vie for taste-bud attention with cuisines imported from the world over. Yum.
Bollywood & Booze
As India’s financial powerhouse and home to the world’s most prolific film industry, Mumbai parties hard. The subcontinent’s wildest bars, hottest clubs and exclusive Bollywood bashes showcase a tipsier, more liberal side of India.
Regions at a Glance
Maharashtra
Rock-Carved Cave Temples
The Unesco sites of Ajanta and Ellora house the most exquisite collection of cave paintings and rock sculptures A miraculous feats of architecture and engineering.
Sun-Toasted Konkan Sands
Strung out along Maharashtra’s Konkan Coast are secluded and beautiful beaches custom-made for romantics, adventurers, loners and philosophers alike, with low-key fishing villages and splendid forts to enliven the mix.
Nashik’s Up & Coming Vineyards
Nashik, the grand cru of India’s blossoming wine industry, proudly flaunts a few world-class drops in the many excellent (and gorgeous!) vineyards sprinkled across the surrounding countryside.
Regions at a Glance
Goa
Golden Goan Shores
Goa’s stunning beachscapes are so beautiful that even the most hardcore, off-the-beaten-track travellers can’t resist them. Many are backed by shady palm-tree groves and dotted with vibrant seasonal huts.
Fiery Seafood
Goa has a long tradition of preparing fresh seafood in brilliant ways, often with the ubiquitous coconut and a Portuguese influence. Sometimes it’s the random shack on the beach that does it best.
Old-World Portuguese Relics
Mansions in Chandor, houses in Panaji (Panjim), Old Goa’s grand religious structures, and little homes and churches scattered across the state are pure eye candy.
Regions at a Glance
Karnataka
Architecturally Diverse Shrines
From the Hoysala beauties at Belur, Halebid and Somnathpur to the electric Virupaksha Temple in Hampi, Karnataka is strewn with temples that overwhelm with their atmosphere and ritual finery.
Biospheres & Bengals
The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve hosts some of the most pristine forests in India, and there’s abundant wildlife to be sighted in beloved national parks such as Bandipur and Nagarhole.
Masalas & Craft Brews
Start off with the delectable Udupi vegetarian thali, then move on to some fiery Mangalorean seafood, and finally wash it all down with fresh ale in beer-town Bengaluru (Bangalore).
Regions at a Glance
Telangana & Andhra Pradesh
Multicultural Sanctums
Grand Islamic architecture graces Hyderabad, Hindus flock to the Venkateshwara Temple at Tirumala and the ancient ruins of once-flourishing Buddhist centres lie sprinkled around.
Hyderabadi Bonanza
Biryani is a local obsession, and the intricate flavours will leave you salivating long after your departure. Meanwhile, Hyderabadi haleem (a thick meat, lentil and wheat stew) has been patented so that it can’t be served unless it meets strict quality standards.
Holidaying with Locals
Visakhapatnam has a sweeping stretch of sandy coastline, where tourism is geared towards the domestic market.
Regions at a Glance
Kerala
Tranquil Inland Waterways
Kerala’s vast lakes, lagoons and canals unravel inland as blissful backwaters. One of India’s most relaxing and beautiful experiences is to explore them by boat.
Jungle Explorations
Kerala has a concentration of ethereal inland wildlife reserves where, amid lush mountainscapes, you might spot wild elephants, gaurs, deer, boars, numerous birds and, if you’re incredibly lucky, even a tiger.
Coconut-Laced Spice Bounty
Kerala’s table is born of a melting pot of influences, history and remarkable geography that has earned it the nickname ‘Land of Spices’. Deftly spiced local cuisine is flavoured with coconut and gorgeously presented on banana leaves.
Regions at a Glance
Tamil Nadu
Towers & Pavilions
The astounding architecture, rituals and festivals of Tamil Nadu’s Hindu temples draw pilgrims from across the country; major temples have soaring gopurams (gateway towers), sparkling tanks and intricately carved pillared mandapas (pavilions).
Colonial-Era Hilltop Refuges
The refreshing hill stations of the Western Ghats offer cool weather, mountain vistas, leisurely walks and colonial-era guesthouses.
Dignified Digs
Exquisitely restored spots to lay your head include romantic heritage houses in Puducherry’s (Pondicherry’s) French Quarter, colonial-era bungalows in the hill stations and fantastical Chettiar mansions in the south.
Regions at a Glance
Andaman Islands
Water & Coral
Apart from terrific snorkelling possibilities, this outstanding diving destination offers easy ocean dips for first-timers as well as more challenging dives for experts.
White Sands & Aqua Seas
Blessed with some of India’s most beautiful beaches, the Andamans are a dreamy place to sink your toes into squeaky-soft white sand, splash about in warm teal waters and drink in the hot-pink sunsets.
Local Species
From rainbows of fish to crab-eating macaques, Andaman wild pigs and the fabulous Nicobar pigeon, the islands are home to an extraordinary mix of wildlife, much of it endemic. Turtles famously nest on Kalipur Beach.