Munnar

Green rolling hills, mist shrouded mountains, crisp air redolent with the aroma of coffee and cardamom. Bliss.

130 km away from Cochin, Munnar was developed by the Scottish in the 19th century as a 'hill station' to escape the merciless heat of Tamil Nadu. It is not hard to see why this gentle town reminded them so much of home. Thick swathes of mist surround you, the hills are verdant and the air crisp. The Raj legacy lives on in the town's bungalows that have large, shaded verandas.

But what wins you over are the tea, pepper, coffee and cardamom estates. Ana Mudi, the highest peak in South India, flanks the town. The tea gardens run down rolling slopes, covering them in a blanket of effervescent green. Cycling down the town or leisurely walking, drinking in the sights is one of the most rewarding experiences in Munnar.

Blue hills embracing white clouds with a hint of the sun in the milieu; the first sight of Ooty is truly mesmerizing. Miles and miles of tea estates make Ooty a picturesque spot. The fun begins right on the way itself where the hairpin turns on the road do no less than give you goose pimples while the surrounding divine beauty soothes your mind to the core.

Also known as Udhgamandalam, the hills of Ooty were initially inhabited by the Toda tribes. However, this picturesque hill paradise was discovered by the British in the early 1800s. Thanks to the efforts of Sir John Sullivan, Ooty gained its rightful place in the public eye and soon became a popular summer resort for British Officers.

Nestled in the Nilgiri hills, one of the oldest hill ranges in India, Ooty still exudes a quaint colonial charm especially visible in its snooker club, the Nilgiri Library, the St.Stephen's Church and its cemetery, which still holds the tombs of Sir John Sullivan's wife and daughter.

So, head Ooty to experience the tranquil glory of these blue hills...