Amazing experiences in India.
Oct 7th, 2016, 09:03 PM
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Amazing experiences in India.
We'll be in India for a big birthday for DH.
This will be our second trip to India. Previously we've toured Rajahstan, Delhi and Kolkata.
Travel dates are roughly mid January to early February 2017. Say about 24 nights.
The plan so far is to fly into Chennai, then work our way via train, private car and flights to Mumbai, then fly to Varanasi before heading home.
At this stage I can move dates around, everything is flexible except the birthday which is 29 January. I want to stay somewhere/ do something special, what would you do ?
Raffles in Mumbai for a night, a luxury beach resort in Goa, something else ?
We like lots of different things, so I'm looking for your amazing experiences.
Hit me.
This will be our second trip to India. Previously we've toured Rajahstan, Delhi and Kolkata.
Travel dates are roughly mid January to early February 2017. Say about 24 nights.
The plan so far is to fly into Chennai, then work our way via train, private car and flights to Mumbai, then fly to Varanasi before heading home.
At this stage I can move dates around, everything is flexible except the birthday which is 29 January. I want to stay somewhere/ do something special, what would you do ?
Raffles in Mumbai for a night, a luxury beach resort in Goa, something else ?
We like lots of different things, so I'm looking for your amazing experiences.
Hit me.
Oct 8th, 2016, 05:42 AM
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Will you be traveling south? I would head to mammalapurum and visit some of the amazing temples of Tamil Nadu before heading to Mumbai. Not sure what you mean by "working your way to mumbai". Do you intend to go to hampi and sites between Chennai and Mumbai or is your intention to visit southern India?
Oct 8th, 2016, 07:55 AM
#5
Not wanting to belittle your quest, sartoric, but it's my belief that "amazing experiences" are where we find them, and maybe not where others found them. My list of most amazing would be moments where the human element and a location came together in a particular way that got my attention and moved me, and may not have effected the person right beside me in the slightest. So it isn't that I have nothing to offer but feel, instead, that what I would offer would be of no use to someone else.
Oct 8th, 2016, 08:03 AM
#6
I would go back to rje's trip report:
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...outh-india.cfm
They stayed in some fabulous-looking places. My personal preference would be some of the remarkable locations in Tamil Nadu, although there were some lovely places in Kerala as well. I'm sure you can find some special places where they stayed that might appeal, though.
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...outh-india.cfm
They stayed in some fabulous-looking places. My personal preference would be some of the remarkable locations in Tamil Nadu, although there were some lovely places in Kerala as well. I'm sure you can find some special places where they stayed that might appeal, though.
Oct 8th, 2016, 09:25 AM
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I was not enthralled by the backwaters as some are. If you do go into the Kerala mountains, I would suggest picking only one spot for a short visit if you would like to see the scenic tea plantations. We liked Munnar best. Having said that, after visiting the remarkable temples of Tamil Nadu, I would head north. I second the recommendation to check out rje's report.
Oct 8th, 2016, 11:15 AM
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Sartoric, you've got me just about drooling with envy! Three whole weeks!
IF you have any particular interest in wildlife, between Chennai and Mumbai, you could make a road trip detour to Nagarhole Park/ Kabini area.
With luck, you 'll spot a tiger! Ive been to the area twice.
If something special for your birthday includes a stay at a fabulous heritage , luxury, and/or converted palace hotel, those are available at numerous places on your route.
IF you have any particular interest in wildlife, between Chennai and Mumbai, you could make a road trip detour to Nagarhole Park/ Kabini area.
With luck, you 'll spot a tiger! Ive been to the area twice.
If something special for your birthday includes a stay at a fabulous heritage , luxury, and/or converted palace hotel, those are available at numerous places on your route.
Oct 8th, 2016, 05:17 PM
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Thanks for your replies.
Progol, what a bummer, one of these days !
Yes, I will reread the excellent report by rje.
Dgunbug, the plan is southern India, Tamil Nadu temples for sure.
Jacketwatch, the backwaters of Kerala have long been on the list, but now I'm not so sure. We do like boats and water, so I'll have to do some more research.
MmePerdu, I agree totally. I could have been more specific and asked for special accommodation recommendations, which is essentially what I'm looking for.
CaliNurse, I think I'd have a hard time convincing the birthday boy on that. We spent 3 incredibly long days looking for tigers in the Sunderban. We saw a footprint, that was it. He also doesn't like car travel as much as I do.
So to revise my question - somewhere between Chennai and Mumbai, a one night splurge in luxury surroundings with excellent on site food and a great view. What would you recommend ?
Progol, what a bummer, one of these days !
Yes, I will reread the excellent report by rje.
Dgunbug, the plan is southern India, Tamil Nadu temples for sure.
Jacketwatch, the backwaters of Kerala have long been on the list, but now I'm not so sure. We do like boats and water, so I'll have to do some more research.
MmePerdu, I agree totally. I could have been more specific and asked for special accommodation recommendations, which is essentially what I'm looking for.
CaliNurse, I think I'd have a hard time convincing the birthday boy on that. We spent 3 incredibly long days looking for tigers in the Sunderban. We saw a footprint, that was it. He also doesn't like car travel as much as I do.
So to revise my question - somewhere between Chennai and Mumbai, a one night splurge in luxury surroundings with excellent on site food and a great view. What would you recommend ?
Oct 8th, 2016, 06:08 PM
#10
If you plan a visit to Chennai, I suggest going a bit south, to Pondicherry/Puducherry. The French-built heritage city is a relatively small area fronting on the beach, lots of interest and if I were to stay there again it would be at Hotel de l'Orient. A boutique hotel with loads of character, I checked it out while I was staying elsewhere in the neighborhood and was sorry it hadn't been there. Not a huge splurge but one of my favorite towns in India.
http://hotel-de-lorient.neemranahotels.com/
While you're there you can visit Auroville, a fascinating place north of town.
http://hotel-de-lorient.neemranahotels.com/
While you're there you can visit Auroville, a fascinating place north of town.
Oct 8th, 2016, 06:52 PM
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Thanks MmePerdu.
Pondicherry is definitely on the list, I bought a (bad) copy of Life of Pi several years ago in Hanoi. Since then I've wanted to visit the city !
The hotel looks ideal, and I'll look up Auroville.
Cheers.
Pondicherry is definitely on the list, I bought a (bad) copy of Life of Pi several years ago in Hanoi. Since then I've wanted to visit the city !
The hotel looks ideal, and I'll look up Auroville.
Cheers.
Oct 8th, 2016, 07:37 PM
#12
It's, I think, impossible to get a sense of Auroville from the sources online. It's a large planned community where architects from all over the world have built beautiful homes scattered around in what was wasteland when they acquired it and is now forest & gardens, in planned groupings. There are community enterprises, places to eat, guesthouses for a range of budgets. I stayed with a resident over Christmas one year and saw several homes during the festivities. If I understand it correctly, the homes are paid for and occupied by residents, then revert to the community when they leave. I found it all quite remarkable.
Do see what you can find out but if you don't have at least a couple of days to devote to exploring, it may not be worthwhile. But it's unlike anywhere I've ever been.
Do see what you can find out but if you don't have at least a couple of days to devote to exploring, it may not be worthwhile. But it's unlike anywhere I've ever been.
Oct 8th, 2016, 08:25 PM
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"So to revise my question - somewhere between Chennai and Mumbai, a one night splurge in luxury surroundings with excellent on site food and a great view. What would you recommend ?"
Hi again, Sartoric. Apologies for asking for more clarification. Do you mean "between" in terms of TIME? Or between in terms of geographical car/train route?
I'm asking because heading south from Chennai would not put you in an "intuitive" direct route to Mumbai.
The good news is--perhaps you've already researched this--you can head down the TN coast to Madurai and from there, get a flight to Mumbai (no nonstops from Madurai though). Or you could head over to Kerala and get a direct flight (nonstop) to Mumbai
Personally, i loved the backwaters area. There may be similar parts of your country--the beaches and coconut palms of Gold Coast? Where the backwaters differs physically (and of course culturally!) is in the narrow waterways lined with people /village life. RJE in his trip report described this. I'm hoping JulieS will see this post and chime in, as she too has been to the South of India.
Hi again, Sartoric. Apologies for asking for more clarification. Do you mean "between" in terms of TIME? Or between in terms of geographical car/train route?
I'm asking because heading south from Chennai would not put you in an "intuitive" direct route to Mumbai.
The good news is--perhaps you've already researched this--you can head down the TN coast to Madurai and from there, get a flight to Mumbai (no nonstops from Madurai though). Or you could head over to Kerala and get a direct flight (nonstop) to Mumbai
Personally, i loved the backwaters area. There may be similar parts of your country--the beaches and coconut palms of Gold Coast? Where the backwaters differs physically (and of course culturally!) is in the narrow waterways lined with people /village life. RJE in his trip report described this. I'm hoping JulieS will see this post and chime in, as she too has been to the South of India.
Oct 8th, 2016, 09:19 PM
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Thanks Mme Perdu, I'll admit to a small love of architecture. I'm sure your connection to the locals enhanced the experience. Food for thought.
Thanks CaliNurse, I mean between in terms of location.
The plan loosely is Chennai, Pondicherry, Madurai, on to Kerala, then Mumbai.
Perhaps putting the cart before the horse, but I'm trying to find the special place to celebrate the birthday, then build the rest of the trip around it.
We really like boats and waterways, I think he'd like a luxury boat experience especially. More research for me.
Thanks CaliNurse, I mean between in terms of location.
The plan loosely is Chennai, Pondicherry, Madurai, on to Kerala, then Mumbai.
Perhaps putting the cart before the horse, but I'm trying to find the special place to celebrate the birthday, then build the rest of the trip around it.
We really like boats and waterways, I think he'd like a luxury boat experience especially. More research for me.
Oct 9th, 2016, 12:38 PM
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Since you like the boats/waterway idea, here are some suggestions:
There are hotels along Vembanad Lake in Kerala. You can combine a relaxing stay there with an affiliated luxury houseboat, which will pick you up at the resort. Two of these properties--by no means the only ones-- include CGH company's Coconut Lagoon which you reach on a small covered boat from the main road (we spent afternoon there--long story--lovely) and Kumarokom Lake Resort, a bit more "luxe" than Coconut Lagoon (private villas with plunge pool)--I believe from either, the hotel will arrange a kettuvalam that will take you overnight on the lake and wider backwaters.
To get onto the narrow and more interesting backwaters, where you can get off the boat and walk along the shore, through villages--you'd need to go in a "country boat"--like a canoe. Hotel could book this for you--maybe in combination with overnight houseboat??--or you could book on your own from another side of what is generally called "the backwaters." Note: you can also do a day trip on the kettuvalams, where you have the same pampering experience of having all your meals cooked, total r and r, but return to hotel/homestay at night.
In that area on the lake --looking at a map, see Vaikom and Kottayam--we stayed at Philpkutty's Farm. You get there via rowboat from the opposite shore. Great food. Great family owners. Approx five individual cottages. No pool though, if that is important to you (part of why we went to mgr friend's property at Coconut Lagoon). PK is one of my favorite lodgings and stays ever, anywhere!! (Speaking of birthdays, my daughter celebrated her 22nd there, the owner putting on an unexpected delightful small party).
RJE stayed at Vembanad lake at one of the Malabar company properties, maybe Purity? The company has other properties-- one with an "in-house" elephant!
Enjoy the research!
There are hotels along Vembanad Lake in Kerala. You can combine a relaxing stay there with an affiliated luxury houseboat, which will pick you up at the resort. Two of these properties--by no means the only ones-- include CGH company's Coconut Lagoon which you reach on a small covered boat from the main road (we spent afternoon there--long story--lovely) and Kumarokom Lake Resort, a bit more "luxe" than Coconut Lagoon (private villas with plunge pool)--I believe from either, the hotel will arrange a kettuvalam that will take you overnight on the lake and wider backwaters.
To get onto the narrow and more interesting backwaters, where you can get off the boat and walk along the shore, through villages--you'd need to go in a "country boat"--like a canoe. Hotel could book this for you--maybe in combination with overnight houseboat??--or you could book on your own from another side of what is generally called "the backwaters." Note: you can also do a day trip on the kettuvalams, where you have the same pampering experience of having all your meals cooked, total r and r, but return to hotel/homestay at night.
In that area on the lake --looking at a map, see Vaikom and Kottayam--we stayed at Philpkutty's Farm. You get there via rowboat from the opposite shore. Great food. Great family owners. Approx five individual cottages. No pool though, if that is important to you (part of why we went to mgr friend's property at Coconut Lagoon). PK is one of my favorite lodgings and stays ever, anywhere!! (Speaking of birthdays, my daughter celebrated her 22nd there, the owner putting on an unexpected delightful small party).
RJE stayed at Vembanad lake at one of the Malabar company properties, maybe Purity? The company has other properties-- one with an "in-house" elephant!
Enjoy the research!
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