OUR DESTINATIONS
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We offer holidays to the four corners of the globe. If you want specialist advise please phone our travel team and we will be happy to help.
Alternatively, check out some of our holiday offers below.
- Destinations
- Asia
- India
- Chennai
- Puducherry (Pondicherry)
Puducherry (Pondicherry)
Puducherry (formerly Pondicherry) is a gracious seaside town on
India's east coast. Known as the 'French Riviera of the East',
Puducherry certainly displays its strong French heritage: the old
quarter of the city retains its original design, with a grid of
quaint, tree-lined rues and boulevards flanked by stately villas,
bakeries and fine restaurants. Indeed, as there is not that much to
actually do in Puducherry - despite relaxing on the pretty beach,
and enjoying the sublime promenade - you are strongly encouraged to
embark on a bit of a 'restaurant tour' of the city, perhaps the
last place in India that you'll find excellent European cuisine
(and wine-lists to match). A bit of an anomalous Indian city - in
terms of its architectural character, its pace of life, and its
gastronomy - a visit to Puducherry makes for an interesting
contrast to the hectic, dusty cities of Tamil Nadu.
Information & Facts
Language
Although English is generally used for official and
business purposes, Hindi is the official language and is spoken by
about 40 percent of the population. Urdu is the language common
with the Muslim demographic. India has a total of 22 official
languages
Money
The currency is the Indian Rupee (INR), which is divided into
100 paise (singular paisa). Major currencies can be changed at
banks, and authorised bureaux de changes. It is impossible to
obtain rupees outside India, but no matter what time you arrive in
India there will be an exchange office open at the airport. It is
illegal to exchange money through the black market and it is
advisable to refuse torn notes, as no one will accept them apart
from the National Bank. It is best to change money into small
denominations. Travellers cheques and major credit cards are widely
accepted, particularly in tourist orientated establishments. ATMs
are not generally available.