Any suggestions for a ten day trip to southern India with my 3 adult daughters. Was thinking of Varkala as a base and traveling around there. Any ideas for hotels etc thanks, Susan

Ps it has to be in July

India does not lend itself to the base and day trip mode of travel, and I can't think why you would choose Varkala as a base in any case. For a chilled out beach visit, yes, for a mother and daughter sightseeing vacation, no.

What are you interested in seeing in South India? In Kerala the usual sights are Kochi and the waterways, in Tamil Nadu it's temples. Then there are the areas like Coor and the Nilgiri hills. Can't help without more info.

It's a 60th birthday trip so wanted a more relaxed vacation as time is short for a lot of traveling. Was looking at the cgheatth hotels. Am willing to take any suggestions. We are flying in from London,Paris,Sydney and New York to be together. Do not want to tour the North on this trip.

Don't know anything about those hotels. A while back I stayed at Malabar House in Kochi for Christmas and loved it. You could also look at a houseboat cruise, although apparently that has got a great deal more crowded since I did it.

Since you're going in summer, I'd suggest locales with weather that's not going to scorch you. Southern India includes Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka, and there's just so much to see and do.

Just Googled the hotel you mentioned, is it CGH Earth? If yes, looks like you'll have an amazing stay.

On my itinerary for South India, I'd have these 10 places:

1. Chennai, Tamil Nadu (state capital)
2. Bangalore, Karnataka (state capital)
3. Cochin, Kerala (state capital)
4. Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh (state capital and Mughal-influence city)
5. Ooty (Ootacamund), Tamil Nadu (mountain resort/hill station)
6. Kodai (Kodaikanal), Tamil Nadu (mountain resort/hill station)
7. Munnar, Kerala (mountain resort/hill station)
8. Coorg, Karnataka (tea estates/coffee plantations)
9. Mysore, Karnataka (city with lots of history and palaces)
10. Pondicherry (French-influence city-state in Tamil Nadu)

If you need more help, or information, please let me know

I met a friend, a Danish tour guide in India, for a week at a place she chose, the Somatheeram Ayurvedic Resort on a beach in Kerala. She knows India and this was her first choice and it was the most wonderful place. The rooms are individual cottages set on a cliff above the sea so one is lulled to sleep by the sound of waves. The restaurant is excellent, there are ayurvedic treatments and massages, outdoor yoga and a beach below where fishermen pull their boats up onto the sand. It was heaven. She was there with her adult daughter and the 3 of us had a wonderful time. I absolutely recommend it.

http://somatheeram.in

July is not summer in Kerala, it's the peak of monsoon season and you could see some heavy rains. Some people visit during this time (especially hill stations like Munnar) to enjoy the rain, but not all find it interesting.

I have stayed in CGH hotel in Kochi and Kumarakom and they are good. Do not know if they have a hotel in Varkala. For your trip, i suggest to start in Kochi and then moving to alleppey or Kumarakom followed by a beach destination of Varkala or Kovalam.

and yes July is peak monsoon for Kerela so be prepared for some good rain