Embark on a journey through Chennai! First, visit Kapaleeswarar Temple. Honoring Shiva and dating back to the 13th century AD, it is the biggest temple in Chennai. Then proceed to Mylapore, which was inhabited in the 16th century by the Portuguese. Visit the Saint Thomas Church, named for the Christian disciple (“Doubting Thomas”) who lived and taught here in the first century.

Later you will drive past the Marina Beach, the second longest in the world, stretching for several miles. Your next stop would be the Fort St. George, which is presently being used by the Tamil Nadu Government. Within the compound is a museum holding many remembrances of the East India Company and the British period. From the British center you will be driven to Egmore – which is the heart of city to visit the State Museum –which is spreading to an area of 16.25 acres of land. Six independent buildings in this Museum campus have 46 galleries.

In the afternoon, proceed for an excursion to Dakshinchitra – a living museum. Dakshinachitra is an exciting cross-cultural living museum that showcases art, architecture, lifestyles, crafts and performing arts of South India. This museum has a collection of 18 authentic historical houses with contextual exhibitions in each house. All the houses bought and reconstructed at Dakshinachitra had been given for demolition by their owners. The authentic homes in a regional vernacular style were purchased, taken down, transported, and reconstructed by artisans (Stapathis) of the regions from where the houses came.

Explore Madurai and discover why it's known as "the Temple City." Although it served as the former capital of the Pandya Kingdom, it was during the reign of the Nayaks (10th - 18th century) that the city's most iconic structure was built: the magnificent Meenakshi Temple. Legend has it that if you place a literary work in the tank of this temple, it will determine if it is worthy or not: if it sinks it is worthless. If floats; worthy!

Visit the magnificent Sri Meenakshi Temple, which is the abode of the triple-breasted, fish-eyed Goddess Meenakshi Amman ("fish-eyed" is an adjective for perfect eyes in classical Tamil poetry) and considered by many to be the height of South Indian temple architecture. It’s not so much a temple as a 15-acre complex enclosed by 12 Gopurams, the highest of which towers 170 feet over Madurai, and all of which are carved with a staggering array of gods, goddesses, demons, and heroes.

Also visit the elegant Thirumalai Nayaka Palace. Built in 1636 in the Indo Mughal style, its 15 domes and arches are adorned with stucco work. Its Celestial Pavilion, an octagonal structure, is curiously constructed in brick and mortar without supporting rafters. 

Visit Auroville, developed around the ashram of the Indian yogi, Sri Aurobindo. This project was developed as a “Universal township where the men and women of all countries are able to live in peace and progressive harmony, above all creeds, politics, and nationalities” and was guided by the Mother - a French lady who carried on the work of Sri Aurobindo after his death.

Also spend some time at Sri Aurobindo Ashram. The ashram was founded by the philosopher-saint Sri Aurobindo in 1926 to put into practice his ideals of a peaceful community. Its spiritual tenets represent a synthesis of yoga and modern science. It is also his final resting place. Also visit the Pondicherry museum, which has sculptures, archaeological finds, and memorabilia of the French colonists. Last but not least, visit the Sacred Heart Church with its Gothic architecture and stained glass windows.

Experience a form of classical Indian dance with your included Kathkali show! This story-based form of art features elaborate costumes, makeup, and masked dancers. Traditional themes of the shows focus around local mythology, legends, and spiritual ideas from Hindu stories.

While traditionally the performers of these shows have been all male, modern compositions feature female performers as well.

visit Fort Kochi with a walk through the bustling harbor area and quaint backstreets to discover its rich and multifaceted past. Kochi is full of echoes of Kerala's past colonizers, including Hindu and Mughal dynasties, Portuguese and Dutch conquerors, and the British Empire - which came seeking control of the lucrative pepper trade. The city hosts the oldest church in India, 500-year-old Portuguese houses, old tiled houses built in the Chinese pagoda style, and a Jewish community whose roots go back to the Diaspora. St. Francis Church, originally named after Santo Antonio, was dedicated to him as the Patron Saint of Portugal. Once a wooden building, it was replaced by the present stone building. Vasco De Gamma died on site in 1524 and was originally buried in the cemetery. His grave is still marked with a plaque and a brass rail, though his remains are back home in Portugal. Then, visit the four-century old Jewish synagogue. Built in 1568 AD, it was destroyed by the Portuguese and rebuilt by the Dutch a century later. You will then explore the "Jew Town", a culturally rich area filled with fascinating antique shops and wares. Looming protectively over the synagogue is the Mattancherry palace, former home to the Verma kings and today a fine museum.