Gourmet Delight

Upon arrival at Bangalore airport, meet and assistance by our office representative, followed by transfer to hotel. Later the day explore the true flavour of Bangalore – the capital city of Karnataka.  Go on a stroll through this cosmopolitan city with its lovely parks, long avenues of blossom trees and impressive Victorian-era architecture. Overnight Stay. (Bed & Breakfast)

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning start your gastronomic journey – drive to the country side of Bangalore towards the Grover Zampa Vineyards to understand the history of wine cultivation in India. After strolling through rows of grape-bearing Wines, witness the entire process of wine-making–crushing of grapes, fermentation to the final labeling and packaging. Head into the barrel room, setup with real oak barrels, where ageing of premium wine is done Experience a wine tasting session of selected varieties of wines. Finish your day with a Lunch at the vineyard. In the evening visit Dravidian-style Bull Temple built in the 16th-century.  (Breakfast & Lunch)

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning start your exploration with a guided walk through a Farmers market selling wholesale flowers, fruit, vegetables, spices and nuts, Follow with a cooking demo at the Tasting Room of the Bengaluru Oota Company and savour traditional flavours of Karnataka with an excellent four course menu by Chef Ms Divya Prabhakar. Later the day drive to Mysore. On arrival check in at the hotel. Overnight stay. (Breakfast & Lunch)

Early Breakfast. Explore Mysore through an early morning Heritage walking tour and get a feel of this charming city. Pass by some lovely colonial structures, old local monuments and temples and learn the stories behind them with your storyteller. End your tour with a good local cuppa, South Indian filter coffee. Visit the Maharajah’s Palace, one of the most beautiful buildings in India. Inside, you will find a kaleidoscope of stained glass, beautiful carved wooden doors and mosaic floors.  Later the day   go on to Srirangapatna (16km from Mysore) – the island fortress of Tipu Sultan and the early capital of the Mysore Wodiyars – Here you will find monuments such as Tipu’s mosque with its twin minarets built in 1787, Tipu’s Summer Palace (known as the Daria Daulat Bagh) built completely on wood and converted into a museum that houses some fantastic artefacts and paintings related to Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan, and  the Gumbaz where lie buried Tipu Sultan, Haider Ali and others of the royal family. Back to Mysore to Tonight we go to the Gitanjali homestay to experience Kodava cuisine (from Coorg) and culture.  Enjoy elaborate, ethnic Kodava dishes and an interaction with your host Yamuna. Kodava or traditional Coorgi cuisine is bold in flavour as well as content and uses a lot of meats and spices. Yamuna has been the host for eminent groups from the National Geographic magazine, the Smithsonian, the Museum of Modern Art and many others. Back to hotel for your overnight stay. (Breakfast & Dinner)

Breakfast check-out and proceed to Thalassery, a centre of the ancient pepper trade and referenced in the early 14th century writings of Marco Polo.  Check-in at Ayisha Manzil Homestay. Expect heritage old rooms with antique furniture and large bathrooms in an old colonial bungalow. Get to know your host and his interesting stories during the day. (full board)

Breakfast with the hostess. This morning make a stop at the famous Fish Market and experience the daily trading activities in this busy market. Continue towards the coastal beach town, cradle of ageless folk arts like Theyyam and folk music. There is possibly an opportunity to experience the ritual dance of Theyyam (seasonal), its unique costume and lively footwork. The dancer transforms himself to a deity through extreme devotion and the rhythmic chanting of mantras. Latet at Ayisha Manzil Mrs.Faiza Moosa, the hostess will conduct a cooking class in authentic North Kerala Muslim cuisine followed by dinner. Take home the real taste of Kerala along with sweet memories.Overnight stay at hotel. (Full-Board)

Tea/Coffee served at the Manzil. Check-out, drive to the train station to board Train to Kochi (Parasuram Express: 07.40- 13.35 hours). On arrival in Kochi, you will be met, assisted and transferred to your hotel in Fort Kochi. Enjoy the rest of the day at colonial Fort Kochi. See the Chinese Fishing Nets of Cochin.. Walk to the St.Francis CSI Church, the oldest European church in India built in 1503, where the Portuguese explorer Vasco de Gama was originally buried and pass by the fine Santa Cruz Basilica. Today evening  witness a unique dance dram of Kerala – The Kathakali.  Overnight stay. (Bed  & Breakfast)