Jared & Francesca

We are traveling through Southern India in February: Goa, Bangalore, Madras (Chennai), and Cochin. Can anyone give us advice on restaurants, hotels, sites, beaches, etc.. We have many guide books, but are looking for unique or "off-the-beaten-track" spots. Cheers. <BR>

sarozen

I visited Southern India a few years ago. I spent a week in Goa (3-4 days would have been enough), visited Bangalore (wished I had spent more time <BR>in Mysore) and Madras. I would recommend visits to Mahabalipuram (about <BR>an hour south of Madras)--there are shore temples there and a selection of <BR>reasonable hotels on the beach. I would highly recommend visiting Hampi (between Bangalore and Goa by train--train station Hospet. Hampi has ruins of a fifteenth-century city that is really <BR>fascinating. It was the highlight of <BR>my trip through Southern India.

cat

i too would really recommend Hampi. Theres a really good place to stay as well i fyou cross the river. i cant remember the name, but its the only place the other side. they have little bamboo huts. <BR>Also i loved Mysore, and if you get the chance, visit the Tibetan settlement of Bylakuppe. They are fantastically welcoming. Certainly off-the-beaten-track. If youre going as far as Cochin, you should go to Kovalam...the beaches are less crowded than Goa and its a friendlier place generally. its been a while, so i cant remember any of the places we stayed. hope it helps. <BR>

mary

We have just arrived back from a four week trip to Southern India. Mysore was great, try Hotel Ritz (about rs 350 a room) very homely and clean. Hotel Park Lane (good outdoor restuarant, very popular with travellers, also rooms). I would not stay too long in either Mangalore or Bangalore, but Cochin is very good, go to the Fort Cochin side by ferry, much nicer than the big city of Enakulam. A good place to stay in Fort Cochin is the Cherimel Residence, an old Indian House with lots of Character, also spotlessly clean. If you go to Kovalam, try catching a ferry from Allepey to Quillon (kollam)it is slower than the bus, but very picturesque. We stayed at Jeevan House at Lighthouse Beach, right on the sand and very cheap. <BR>Hope you have a good time. Indians are lovely people.

roz

Staying in Goa I would recommend Fort Aguada or Taj Holiday Village in North Goa. Goans are very friendly, and you will have a wonderful time! <BR> <BR>Travelling to Cochin, I would recommend the 3 day, 2 night rice boat tour with a final night at the Taj off the mainland - pure heaven! The Casino Hotel in Cochin was also nice - great seafood restaurant! <BR>Check out Kovalam if you have time - great beaches. <BR>Check out the Rajastan's Palace in Mysore! <BR>If you have time, spend a night and day in Ooty and take the Toy Train to Conoor! - beautiful scenery. <BR>If I can help further, please e-mail me.