Pondicherry : The quaint little French Town in India

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This trip will actually cost you less than an IPhone !

The benefit of staying in Pune for a decade is that you can visit Goa as often as you want to. But this time I decided to visit a beach that was down south and hence zeroed on Pondicherry. Pondicherry lies almost at the southern tip of India , in the state of Tamil Nadu. It’s an erstwhile French colony and currently home to a significant French population. This place is perfect for a long weekend getaway.

How to Travel - The best way to get there is to catch a flight to Chennai and then either a bus or a car to Pondy , which is 3 hrs away . While on your way to Pondy you will pass through Mahaballipuram , famous for its Shore Temple ( UNESCO World Heritage site ).

Where to stay – Pondy being a popular tourist destination , caters to all kinds of stay options right from budget accommodation to luxury resorts . Choose one near either Promenade or White Town to access all parts of town easily.

What to do – This small town is dotted with picturesque beaches , all of them beautifully maintained . The must visit list includes Promenade Beach which a is rock-lined seashore and is better suited for walking. This stretch is dotted with little cafes and eateries and hence one most popular hangout destination for locals. Also make time for Paradise Beach which can be reached through a 20-minute boat ride via the tranquil backwaters in Chunnambar. This beach is straight out of a picture postcard , so clean and beautiful and the only place for water activities like Jet ski , boating etc . Amongst other itineraries , do include Auroville which is an experimental township founded by the spiritual guru Sri Aurobindo. It is meant to be a universal town where men and women of all countries are able to live in peace, irrespective of their caste , creed or nationalities. Pondy Museum is also worth a visit and it has rare collection of bronze and stone from the Chola & Pallava dynasties. While you taste the local cuisine which is influenced by French and Tamil culture , take a walk around the White town , French Quarters and Aurobindo Ashram . This part of the town is takes you back to an era gone by ! While on your visit do sample the local pizzas , pastas , homemade ice teas & other delicacies .

Travel advice – Carry sun screen , hat , umbrella to avoid tanning and practice explaining things through hand gestures . Else take a crash course in Tamil or French J.This trip will actually cost you less than an IPhone !

The benefit of staying in Pune for a decade is that you can visit Goa as often as you want to. But this time I decided to visit a beach that was down south and hence zeroed on Pondicherry. Pondicherry lies almost at the southern tip of India , in the state of Tamil Nadu. It’s an erstwhile French colony and currently home to a significant French population. This place is perfect for a long weekend getaway.

How to Travel - The best way to get there is to catch a flight to Chennai and then either a bus or a car to Pondy , which is 3 hrs away . While on your way to Pondy you will pass through Mahaballipuram , famous for its Shore Temple ( UNESCO World Heritage site ).

Where to stay – Pondy being a popular tourist destination , caters to all kinds of stay options right from budget accommodation to luxury resorts . Choose one near either Promenade or White Town to access all parts of town easily.

What to do – This small town is dotted with picturesque beaches , all of them beautifully maintained . The must visit list includes Promenade Beach which a is rock-lined seashore and is better suited for walking. This stretch is dotted with little cafes and eateries and hence one most popular hangout destination for locals. Also make time for Paradise Beach which can be reached through a 20-minute boat ride via the tranquil backwaters in Chunnambar. This beach is straight out of a picture postcard , so clean and beautiful and the only place for water activities like Jet ski , boating etc . Amongst other itineraries , do include Auroville which is an experimental township founded by the spiritual guru Sri Aurobindo. It is meant to be a universal town where men and women of all countries are able to live in peace, irrespective of their caste , creed or nationalities. Pondy Museum is also worth a visit and it has rare collection of bronze and stone from the Chola & Pallava dynasties. While you taste the local cuisine which is influenced by French and Tamil culture , take a walk around the White town , French Quarters and Aurobindo Ashram . This part of the town is takes you back to an era gone by ! While on your visit do sample the local pizzas , pastas , homemade ice teas & other delicacies .

Travel advice – Carry sun screen , hat , umbrella to avoid tanning and practice explaining things through hand gestures . Else take a crash course in Tamil or French J.This trip will actually cost you less than an IPhone !

The benefit of staying in Pune for a decade is that you can visit Goa as often as you want to. But this time I decided to visit a beach that was down south and hence zeroed on Pondicherry. Pondicherry lies almost at the southern tip of India , in the state of Tamil Nadu. It’s an erstwhile French colony and currently home to a significant French population. This place is perfect for a long weekend getaway.

How to Travel - The best way to get there is to catch a flight to Chennai and then either a bus or a car to Pondy , which is 3 hrs away . While on your way to Pondy you will pass through Mahaballipuram , famous for its Shore Temple ( UNESCO World Heritage site ).

Where to stay – Pondy being a popular tourist destination , caters to all kinds of stay options right from budget accommodation to luxury resorts . Choose one near either Promenade or White Town to access all parts of town easily.

What to do – This small town is dotted with picturesque beaches , all of them beautifully maintained . The must visit list includes Promenade Beach which a is rock-lined seashore and is better suited for walking. This stretch is dotted with little cafes and eateries and hence one most popular hangout destination for locals. Also make time for Paradise Beach which can be reached through a 20-minute boat ride via the tranquil backwaters in Chunnambar. This beach is straight out of a picture postcard , so clean and beautiful and the only place for water activities like Jet ski , boating etc . Amongst other itineraries , do include Auroville which is an experimental township founded by the spiritual guru Sri Aurobindo. It is meant to be a universal town where men and women of all countries are able to live in peace, irrespective of their caste , creed or nationalities. Pondy Museum is also worth a visit and it has rare collection of bronze and stone from the Chola & Pallava dynasties. While you taste the local cuisine which is influenced by French and Tamil culture , take a walk around the White town , French Quarters and Aurobindo Ashram . This part of the town is takes you back to an era gone by ! While on your visit do sample the local pizzas , pastas , homemade ice teas & other delicacies .

Travel advice – Carry sun screen , hat , umbrella to avoid tanning and practice explaining things through hand gestures . Else take a crash course in Tamil or French .

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