$, Single, Business, 5 Days
To fit some relaxation time into your business trip to India, start in Chennai and move down the coast, where you can soak up the sun, see a historical monument and relax in a former colonial settlement.
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Stop 1: Chennai
When it comes to lodging, homestays are among the many decent budget-friendly options in central Chennai. Visit Fort St. George, a former British fortress from the 1600s, and the Theosophical Society, with an impressive library of religious and philosophical books and 247 acres of green including a 450-year-old banyan tree. In the evening, visit Kapaleeshwarar Temple in Mylapore and take in a traditional dance performance.
Stop 2: Mahabalipuram
After a day or two in Chennai, head by car to Mahabalipuram, a UNESCO World Heritage site where ancient temples beckon right on the beach. Stay in a local bed and breakfast, and take a surf lesson if the season is right.
Stop 3: Puducherry
Finally, continue south to Puducherry, a former French colonial settlement where you can sip sauvignon blanc and enjoy fine French cuisine with a view of the ocean. Take a guided tour by bike, visiting Sri Aurobindo Ashram for a taste of spiritual life and the Pondicherry Museum for its historical relics.
The entire journey between Chennai and Puducherry is about 2.5 hours by car.
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