Worldwide brochure 2022-2023
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Madurai<br />
Ancient & bustling city • Meenakshi Temple<br />
Madurai is an ancient city set on the banks<br />
of the Vaigai River in Tamil Nadu. Legend has<br />
it that a few drops of nectar fell from Shiva’s<br />
locks onto the city, giving rise to its name,<br />
which is thought to derive from an old Tamil<br />
word for ‘sweetness’. The cultural focal point<br />
of Madurai is its main temple, the Meenakshi-<br />
Sundareswarar. One of India’s liveliest temples,<br />
it serves as a significant place of Hindu<br />
pilgrimage and is covered in a profusion of<br />
brightly coloured stucco figures.<br />
Puducherry<br />
Meenakshi Temple, Madurai<br />
French legacy • Colonial-era mansions<br />
Mysore<br />
Ornate architecture • Exquisite temples of<br />
Somnathpur<br />
Rickshaw, Puducherry<br />
The charming seaside town of Puducherry<br />
(Pondicherry) is a former French enclave south<br />
of Chennai. The French relinquished control<br />
in 1954, yet the unusual mixture of French<br />
and Tamil traditions remains. The French<br />
influence is especially evident in many of the<br />
town’s grand colonial-era mansions, tree-lined<br />
boulevards, numerous restaurants and chic<br />
boutiques. Other sites of interest include the<br />
Sri Aurobindo Ashram; the Government Park;<br />
and the Gandhi memorial.<br />
Mysore is the former capital of an important<br />
princely state. Magnificent palaces and royal<br />
gardens offer a glimpse of its past grandeur.<br />
The ornate Mysore Palace, designed by Henry<br />
Irwin, is embellished with murals. Its 100,000<br />
light bulbs are illuminated over weekends and<br />
public holidays for an ethereal air. Mysore is<br />
also an excellent base to visit the island citadel<br />
of Srirangapatna and the intricate temples of<br />
Somnathpur.<br />
Mysore Palace, Mysore<br />
A suggested itinerary...<br />
Highlights of Kerala<br />
14 days & 12 nights<br />
from £2,375 (incl. flights)<br />
Category • Superior<br />
A striking contrast to other regions of<br />
India, Kerala is the ultimate destination<br />
for relaxation. Explore the highlights of<br />
the state before a three-night stay on the<br />
golden sands of the Keralan coastline.<br />
Day 1: Fly to Kochi (N)<br />
Day 2: Kochi<br />
Arrive and transfer to the Eighth Bastion for 2<br />
nights. Remainder of the day is at leisure. (N)<br />
Day 3: Kochi<br />
Visit the highlights of this enchanting port,<br />
taking in architectural styles that reveal Arab,<br />
Jewish and European influences. Later, visit<br />
the Kathakali dance studio. (B)<br />
Day 4: Munnar<br />
Travel to Munnar and stay 2 nights at the<br />
Windermere Estate in the hill country. (B, D)<br />
Day 5: Munnar<br />
Guided walk through Windermere Estate,<br />
taking in the impressive mountain scenery<br />
and extraordinary flora and fauna. (B, D)<br />
Day 6: Thekkady<br />
Morning drive through the Western Ghats<br />
to Thekkady. The region is home to moist<br />
deciduous forests and marshy grasslands,<br />
offering excellent opportunities to spot birds<br />
and other wildlife as well as tropical plant life.<br />
Stay 2 nights at Spice Village. (B)<br />
Day 7: Thekkady • Periyar<br />
Morning walking tour of a plantation to learn<br />
about the cultivation, growth and processing<br />
of spices. This afternoon, head to Periyar<br />
National Park for a guided forest walk. (B)<br />
Day 8: The backwaters<br />
Drive to the backwater region of Kerala. Stay<br />
2 nights at the Coconut Lagoon. (B)<br />
Day 9: The backwaters<br />
Morning at leisure. Afternoon backwaters<br />
cruise in a traditional shikara boat through<br />
narrow canals. (B)<br />
Day 10: Overnight on a houseboat<br />
Board a private kettuvallam, a traditional<br />
Keralan houseboat. (B, L, D)<br />
Days 11-13: Mararikulam<br />
Enjoy the relaxed local culture and sandy<br />
beaches of Mararikulam, staying for 3 nights<br />
at the Marari Beach Resort. (B)<br />
Day 14: Fly home (B)<br />
Tailor-made travel<br />
Contact our experts<br />
020 3930 5073<br />
CoxandKings.co.uk/make-an-enquiry<br />
For more information or to book, contact us on 020 3930 5073 or speak to your travel agent<br />
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