01
Estate coffee, bamboo rice payasam and Malabar meals in the hills.
02
The city of sweets — colourful halwa on SM Street and fragrant Malabar biryani.
03
Sea breeze, sundal stalls and the lighthouse — why Chennai's long beach is best after sunset.
04
Gopurams in the first light, the Golden Lotus tank and the thousand-pillared hall at Madurai's great temple.
05
Tunnels, tea gardens and a slow climb on the UNESCO-listed Nilgiri Mountain Railway from Mettupalayam.
06
Watching the sun come up over three seas, then taking the ferry to the Vivekananda Rock Memorial.
07
A thousand-year-old Chola masterpiece glowing gold as the sun sets on the Brihadeeswarar Temple.
08
Egmore, T. Nagar or near the beach — choosing the right Chennai neighbourhood for your hotel.
09
Staying inside the old town puts the temple, markets and food streets within walking distance.
10
Hotels around Charing Cross keep the lake, Botanical Garden and markets close by.
11
Waking up to sunrise from your window — what to know before booking a sea-facing room.
12
A base close to the Brihadeeswarar Temple and the railway station for an easy heritage trip.