Kodagu
245 Kms from Murudeshwar
Best time to visit - January,September,October,November,December
So much has been said about Coorg that one heads there with tons of expectations. And luckily, travellers are not disappointed. From the surreal beauty surrounding the small town to its rich flora and fauna, Coorg is a wonderful experience.
The laidback town is home to a number of touristy places, though most of them are situated a little further from the center of town. Do visit Abbey Falls for a rejuvenating afternoon and Tadiyendamol, the highest peak in the region, for an overwhelming view of the city below.
Coorg is also home to an elephant farm that invites travellers to spend a day with these gentle creatures. The itinerary at the farm includes bathing elephants, feeding them and taking them for a walk. It's a lovely way to spend your day and the experience will stay with you for a long, long time.
For foodies, there isn't an opportunity to experiment too much but the food available more than makes up for the lack of experimentation. The local cuisine is simple but delicious. The homestays here offer an experience you can't miss. The warm hospitality, the delicious food and an experience that takes you closer to nature is what Coorg is all about.
Panaji
173 Kms from Murudeshwar
This is the capital of the state of Goa and is probably the smallest state capital. Panaji is also the headquarters of the North Goa District and is situated on the banks of the Mandovi River Estuary is the Tiswada Region. The more popular name is Panaji but Panjim is also a commonly used term. This was the name by which the Portuguese used to address this city. When the whole of India got independence, Goa was still under the colonial rule of the Portuguese who freed it a number of years later. The Portuguese effect is what you will get in each and every thing of Goa and Panjim too. The attractions here are the lovely white church, the food that you will get here and of course the different types of building lined on the sides of the narrow streets. These houses are the remains of the various clans who have ruled here including the Latins and the Portuguese. The houses look beautiful and brightly coloured and many of them have simple yet pretty wrought iron balconies too. Many of these are now either resorts for budget concious travellers or restaurants for the ones who love to taste Portuguese and Goan cuisine.
Calangute
181 Kms from Murudeshwar
Today was only about getting the feel of Goa and it was not disappointing definitely. An evening walk near the resort on Calangute beach was the perfect end of the day. Few shacks were open with lesser customers but same excitement. The tranquility of seashore with clouds all over the sky was soothing.
Mangalore
139 Kms from Murudeshwar
Best time to visit - January,February,March,April,May,June,July,August,September,October,November,December
Known as the gateway to Karnataka, the picturesque city of Mangalore is famous for its golden beaches, revered temples and delicious coffee. This port city lies nestled between the blue waters of the Arabian Sea and the towering hills of the Western Ghats.
The pristine beach of Panambur is a popular tourist destination and also plays host to the colourful kite festival of Mangalore. Adorned with ancient murals, the Kudroli Gorakhnath Temple is frequented by many devotees. The Ullal Beach of Mangalore is a great place to enjoy water sports. Easily comparable to the Marine Drive of Mumbai, the New Mangalore Port is an ideal place to relax and unwind.
Mangalore is famous for its Udupi style dishes and staple seafood preparations. The Neer Dosa, Mangalorean fish curry, Cashew Upkari and Rasam are great introductions to this cuisine. Pallkhi, Gajalee, Cochin Bakery and Naivedyam are popular eateries here. There are multiple hotel options for tourists, extending from high-end resorts to budget hotels and even beach resorts. With its easygoing air and calm countenance, Mangalore is the perfect destination to relax and unwind.
Hampi
260 Kms from Murudeshwar
Best time to visit - January,February,March,October,November,December
Before the tropical air hits you here, an uncanny sense of time travel does, as you scan the historic Vijayanagar's devastatingly beautiful ruins and temples spread across the boulder-strewn landscape.
The ancient capital of the Vijayanagara Empire (1343-1565), which has now become a favourite hipster holiday destination, is best explored on foot or bicycle. It has a lot of famous attractions such as the Hemakuta Hill, home to the ancient scattered ruins and a monolithic sculpture of Hindu God Vishnu, along with Hampi Bazaar, once an ancient trading spot for horses, silk, cows, precious stones and now a hub of handicraft shops and little restaurants, with the 15th century Virupaksha temple at its western end and the 16th century Vittala temple at its eastern end. Sule Bazaar and the Achyutaraya temple is also a must visit.
This historic expedition can get tiresome and overwhelming for many, and the village in contrast maintains a very laid back atmosphere, with innumerable guest houses spread around, some even with a fascinating spartan setting, costing no more than 300 rupees. Just like its ruins, an ancient festival called the Hampi Utsav has also been kept alive since the Vijayanagar reign and is celebrated annually in November, with light and sound shows, music and dance performances, all boasting of the Kannadigas' rich culture, set against the backdrop of Hampi's ruins. The Mango Tree restaurant is a quaint place reached via passing through a banana plantation. Other good places to eat include Prince Restaurant, Goan Corner Restaurant and Laughing Buddha, popular for South Indian, Chinese, Israeli, Tibetan, and usual vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, enjoyed by the riverside.
Kannur
266 Kms from Murudeshwar
Best time to visit - January,February,October,November,December
Need a dose of vitamin sea? This city in the North Malabar region of Kerala can surely take care of that, with its serene beaches, such as Payyambalam Beach, Baby Beach, Muzhappilangad Beach (the only drive-in beach of Kerala) and the comparatively quiet and remote Thottada beach. Another beach-y wonder is Dharmadam, where an island is only a short walk away.
The 16th century Fort, St. Angelos and the Tellicherry Fort are also some of the main attractions of this coastal town. Nature lovers will dote over Parassinikkadavu Snake Park, where an array of reptile species can be seen and learnt about, especially through a live show where trained personnel dauntlessly play and interact with a variety of snakes such as cobras and vipers.
On the same lines, Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary is another must visit, along with the Munderi Kadavu Bird Sanctuary for a peaceful time amidst 'the wild ones'. Some renowned, archaic but beautiful places of worship are St. John's Angelican Church, Rajarajeshwara Temple and Annapoorneshwari Temple. If your mind still wanders off to the hills, then head off to the picturesque hill station of Paithalmala, a drive to which is just as mesmerizing as the location itself.
Some more places to visit are the Alakapuri waterfalls and the Arakkal museum, which gives an interesting insight into Kerala's only muslim royal family and their lifestyle. Kannur is a sight to behold during the month of February when the ritualistic Theyyam is celebrated with vibrant ritualistic song, dance and drama performances. Places such as Randhaal, MVK Restaurant, Sahib's Grill Kitchen and Onakkan Bharathi are popular for mouthwatering local, Indian and international dishes.
Kannur is well-connected through various city buses and its railway station is a major stop for most trains.
Kolhapur
292 Kms from Murudeshwar
Best time to visit - February,March,April,May,June,July
Kolhapur, in Maharashtra, is a land of temples and regal palaces. The most revered of them is the Mahalaxmi Temple, which has a simple yet fascinating structure. Other temples here are the Temlabai temple, Jyotiba temple and the Bimkhambi Ganesh temple. The Shri Chhatrapati Shahu Museum, which was once the residence of the first Maharaja of the Maratha Empire, is a vivid display of artefacts representing the ancient history of the city. Take a walk through history at the Panhala Fort, which is an imposing fortification believed to have housed Chhatrapati Shivaji himself.
Kolhapur is known for its spicy array of Maharashtrian food. Try some of the local delicacies at Padma Guest House, Waman Guest House and Parakh. Being a bustling tourist destination, Kolhapur has a lot to offer when it comes to lodging for all types of budget travellers. Don't forget to take back the local Kolhapuri Chappals, that make for lovely traditional footwear.
Benaulim
142 Kms from Murudeshwar
Only thing we did different today was 40km ride to Benaulim Beach. Road was in very good condition and we took around 40 mins to reach there from Agonda. The beaches in the south Goa are clean, beautiful and less crowded. You can make out the difference if you visit Panaji or Calangute at this time of the year.
