The time travel begins at the check-in point which is at the period-flavoured Taj West End, Bangalore. Once on board, passengers chug into the hoary past as valorous stories of the Tiger of Mysore, Tipu Sultan, come alive at Sriranganapatnam. Imagination goes into overdrive as the mind conjures images of the brave King’s defiant battling to the end against the conquering British army. Secret messages to his allies, the French, his love of environment and his gastronomic indulgence add flesh to the legendary heroic figure.
The next stop, Mysore, is where you move from the opulent train to luxurious suites at a royal palace. The capital of the enlightened Wodeyar dynasty, it has much to enjoy at a leisurely pace: museums, palaces, gardens and a famous zoo. Onwards, in the wake of the kingly pursuit of hunting; guns have naturally been replaced by cameras at the hunting lodge at Kabini. A safari by jeep or boat is an amazing opportunity to admire the serene splendour of nature and spot wildlife.
The train moves on to the wondrous temples at Belur-Halebid which abound in exquisite sculptures. The Hoysala Kings built the Chennakeshava temple in 1116 which took a full 103 years to complete. Hampi, the next stop, was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, the largest empire in post-Mughal India. Its architectural beauty is an eye-opener to the grandeur that was ancient Karnataka.
Pages from the history of several centuries unfold through cave art at Badami, the capital of the Chalukya Kings and at Aihole and Pattadakal. A surprising fact is that people carry on day-to-day existence amidst the 6th-12th century temples.
On now to the grand finale, picturesque Goa, who is beautiful come rain or shine. This neighbouring state which has a strong Portuguese pedigree is the perfect destination for any kind of vacationer; the place has a magical ability to wrap you in its own dreamy pace.