Karnataka holidays

What is the best option for a Karnataka holiday?

Most holidays to Karnataka start or end in the heart of the Deccan Plateau in Bangalore, not a city that could or would ever claim to be India's most beautiful. That's not to say you should give it a miss though, because Bangalore - or Silicon Plateau - has a burgeoning reputation as a hub for restaurants and vibrant nightlife thanks to the huge growth in IT companies setting up shop in the state capital.

The tech-inspired modernity of Bangalore dovetails nicely with the state's other attractions, including a rich architectural heritage thanks to a succession of powerful dynasties with an eye on immortality through grand building projects. The vast array of temples and sculpture to visit as a result include ancient Vijayanagar (within which sits the UNESCO World Heritage ruins of Hampi); the great palaces of Mysore (one of which was lit by 100,000 light bulbs) and Badami's caves and temples.

Heading for the coast, Karnataka also has 200 plus miles of coastline with some wonderfully unspoiled beaches stretching from Goa in the north to Kerala in the south. As a result, Kerala and Karnataka make a great holiday combination, with Karnataka also home to national parks such as Nagarhole, Kabini and Bandipur, home to the elusive tiger, Asian elephants, sloth bears, leopards and myriad birdlife.

The eagle-eyed among you may have noticed no mention of Himalaya-esque mountains, but Karnataka has some decent peaks and uplands in which to consider trekking, and even a small area of desert called Talakadu.