Coorg
The land of warriors and home of the famous Coorgi Pork, Coorg (officially called Kodagu) is peppered with coffee plantations, gurgling streams and tumbledown town markets. Once the base of some of the most powerful empires in south India, Coorg will enchant you in more ways than you can imagine!

Madikeri (Mercara) is famously known as the "Scotland of India" for no lesser reasons. Quaint cottages, waterfalls, plantations, serenity and peace are all pervasive here. The warrior clan of Kodavas who have called Coorg their home over centuries, today offer an insight into their unique culture with good cheer and warm nature.

Explore lush wilderness at Nagarhole National Park, picnic by the majestic Iruppu Falls, stroll along Madikeri's enchanting evening market, enjoy rafting on Barapole River, trail into the unknown depths towards the Brahmagiri Peak, and discover Coorg"s rich history with a visit to Raja's Seat, Talacauvery, Madikeri Fort or Bhagamandala. Also tour coffee plantations or gorge on spicy, Coorgi curry at a local restaurant. The hills will soothe your mind beyond compare.

From hockey festivals to traditional archery, the fervent love for eco-tourism and nature, and the oh-so-obvious love of food and wine, Coorg will bowl you over indefinitely.

Ooty
Century-old English architecture, a rich yet equally confusing Anglican tradition, gabled cottages set amidst mystifying blue hills, Ooty is perhaps the only hill station that has refused to keep fair-weather friends. So much so, at some point, it was called Snooty Ooty' even by the early Madras government, for its notorious snobbishness tells it from the rest of Tamil Nadu. Guarding its warbled British, Anglo-Indian, and native heritage while slowly giving in to commercialisation, Ooty or Ootacamund still manages to lure those in need of low-key rest and relaxation.

Walk the length of Commercial Road, spend a day strolling by the misty Ooty Lake, or gorge on some hot Bondas and a cup of Cardamom Tea from a tea stall. It is hard not to fall in love with its temperament. Calm, cool and collected are not just keywords here, but a way of life.

Soak in the beauty of the hills from the toy train (the Nilgiri Mountain Railway) as it chugs along the hillside just as it did hundreds of years ago, ever so often stopping for no rhyme or reason. Get a snapshot of the 20 million year old fossil tree stump at the Botanical Gardens where it is overshadowed by a thousand other rare plants. Sink into the crumbling, torn seat at the Assembly Rooms theatre and watch a movie that probably released years ago. Lick on a puffy pink swirl of cotton candy as you skim through second hand book stalls that still sell obsolete prints. Taste Anglo-Indian delights at the stately British Fern Hills Palace, the former summer retreat of the Mysore Maharaja and let the sounds of the piano gently lull you to sleep soon after.

Run across the untouched wilderness of Avalanche Reservoir, and try your hand at Trout fishing in the ramshackle Wilson Fish Farm nearby. Squint and swipe with your lucky hand at the 100 year old Ootacamund Golf Course or mumble a prayer at the century-old St. Stephen's Church as the last rays of sun illuminate the altar through beautifully glass-painted windows. Enjoy a late evening walk as the last strains of the choir waft in the breeze onto town. There is simply no denying that Ooty remains regal, ravishing and royal no matter when you visit. See for yourself.18-0430-06