A short trip to Tamil Nadu -- Suggestions invited

Hi
I and my wife are planning to spend about a week in Tamil Nadu in Sept-Oct this year.
As the plan is on the drawing board, suggestions are invited.

We fly from New Delhi to either Chennai (2 nights) or Trivandrum and visit Mahabalipuram, Pondicherry (2 nights), and Thanjavur, Madurai and KanyaKumari and then fly back.

My questions are –
• As a start which is better Chennai or Trivandrum?
• Most of the journey in South India will be on road, is it not better to hire a cab? Any names of reliable cab companies?
• On this route have I missed out on some important sights which could be easily seen?
• Any other suggestions plus recommended hotels (decent nothing fancy) hotels where we could book online?
• I am a foodie. So any food suggestions (which are not to be missed)?


Thanks in advance.

* Don't miss Dakhshinachitra - it is on the way to pondicherry from chennai.
* Food - eat at Murugan Idli kadai whenever you can. they have locations in chennai, madurai.
fab idlis (i normally don't like idlis) ... it is a hole in the wall ... cleanliness is questionable but the food is great.
In chennai there are a couple of good veg joints - cholaisanjeevanam, veg nation (?) ... good stuff esp cholaisanjeevanam.
* In pondicherry, stay in the french quarters ... lots of charming colonial places to stay (esp if your budget is mid range and above).
* if you plan well in advance, you can even stay at auroville (i think) ... double check this one ...
* Hiring a cab would make sense since the public transportation might not be the best.
* Do check out Gangaikondacholapuram ... there is a fab post by 'synonymous' on the temple route .. .you will get some ideas from there ... i had used it as a guide when i had planned my trip.
* darasuram is great too ... don't miss it.

safe travels,
madhu

Thanks Madhu for your recommendations.

A week is extremely little for Tamil Nadu: I strongly advise you to skip Pondicherry altogether in that case and spend more time in and around Kanyakumari. I would also advise you to visit Palani instead of Madurai. Thanjavur is a great place, and from there you could also visit Gangaikondacholapuram, Chidambaram and Kumbakonam's temples.
I would advise you the following route: Thiruvananthapuram & Kanyakumari - Tenkasi (for the Courtallam falls!) - Palani (you may have to pass through Madurai anyway, but no need to stay there) - Thanjavur - Chidambaram - Chennai.
Of course, if you have a cab, it's great because you can stop at every place, but TN roads are in terrible shape always, and that will be even more the case just after monsoon. If you are not averse to travelling by rail and as you are only going to big places, rail will also do.

Hi,
I would advice you to land in chennai and take off from trivandram if you to visit mahamallapuram to kanyakumari

What are your interests or preferences? If that is spelled out, suggestions would be easier. I can give a loads of food ideas as I am a foodie myself.