Dates: March 2 – 14 2026
Length: 13 days / 12 nights
Group size: Small group (minimum 10, maximum 14)
Style: Guided tours & cultural experiences with local guides and hosts
Investment: $7,250 AUD per person (twin share)
Deposit: $3,000 AUD per person to secure your place
From busy spice markets heavy with cardamom and chilli, to the quiet of temple courtyards where incense drifts in the air, South India is a place that doesn’t just feed you — it teaches you. Here food is memory, ritual, and connection, and every meal tells a story that reaches far beyond the plate. I created this tour to share the South India I love — not as a tourist skimming the surface, but as someone welcomed into kitchens, villages, and lives. Together we’ll cook with locals, wander through bustling bazaars, taste dishes layered with history, and sit at tables where strangers become friends. This is not just a tour. It’s an immersion into the heart of South India — and it will leave its mark on you long after you return home.
I often hear: “I’ve never done a group tour before.” Or the quieter worry: “Will I know anyone? Will we all get along?”
Here’s what I’ve seen time and again. The people who join these journeys are thoughtful, curious, and open. Some come in pairs. Many come solo. But everyone comes for the same reasons: connection, beautiful food, shared experiences, and a little space to breathe again.
These are not packaged tours. They’re small, personal, and built with care. I travel with you, I host the journey, and I’ve watched strangers become friends over meals more times than I can count.
If India has been on your mind for 2026 and you’re wondering if it’s for you — I hope this helps.
You’d be so welcome. You’d be in the best of company.
Arrive in vibrant Chennai, where we’ll gather for a warm welcome dinner of Tamil favourites and our first taste of South India’s hospitality.
Discover the UNESCO treasures of Mamallapuram – the Shore Temple, Arjuna’s Penance, and Pancha Rathas – before stepping into a local home for a hands-on cooking class and shared Tamil lunch.
Wander the French Quarter’s bougainvillea-lined streets, visit Auroville and the Matrimandir, and end the day with a stroll along the seaside promenade.
Settle into a beautifully restored Chettiar mansion. Explore village life at a gentle pace with pottery, artisans, and evening rituals in rural Tamil Nadu.
Marvel at the mighty Brihadeeswarar Temple before arriving in Chettinad for a traditional cooking class inside one of its grand mansions.
Step into the spiritual heart of Madurai with a visit to the dazzling Meenakshi Amman Temple, alive with colour and devotion. By night, dive into the city’s flavours on a guided street food walk through its bustling bazaars. The next morning, breathe in the perfume of jasmine at the flower market and wander the lively tailor’s lanes, with the afternoon free to relax or explore more of this ancient city at your own pace.
Travel into Kerala’s spice-scented hills, where cardamom and pepper plantations carpet the landscape. Explore the plantations, take part in a cooking class, and be captivated by a traditional Kalaripayattu martial arts performance. The following day, choose your own pace — a guided jungle trek or a peaceful boat ride in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary — before unwinding with the restorative touch of an Ayurvedic massage.
Board a traditional houseboat and glide through the serene canals of Alleppey. Sunset on the water is magical, with dinner and overnight stay on board.
Arrive in the coastal city of Kochi, where cultures have mingled for centuries. Explore Fort Kochi’s Chinese fishing nets, colonial architecture, and spice-scented lanes before witnessing the drama of a traditional Kathakali dance performance. The next day, uncover the city’s layered history at the Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue, and lively markets, before gathering for a celebratory farewell Sadya feast served on banana leaves.
After breakfast, transfers to Kochi Airport. We part ways with memories of temple bells, spice-scented air, and the warmth of South India’s people.
“Nellie’s tours are warm, beautifully curated and filled with unforgettable experiences. The food, the laughter, the friendships — I’ll treasure it always.”
“This was more than a holiday. It was a true connection to people and culture, led with such generosity by Nellie.”
"Wonderful tour. Superb tour leaders. You will see all of the main attractions plus so much more. You will feel cared for and nurtured."
Not at all. The tour is designed for passionate food lovers and curious travellers of all backgrounds. You don’t need to be a confident cook — just bring your love of food and adventure.
Yes, absolutely — many of our guests join solo. If you are travelling on your own, you will need to book a private room (a single supplement applies). If you’re travelling with a friend, you can of course share a twin room together. Either way, you’ll be part of a warm and welcoming group. Please note – we do not match make for room shares. If you wish to share a room, please book with a partner or friend. Single supplements available for solo travellers and those wanting their own rooms.
We keep numbers small and intimate so you can really connect with each other and the places we visit. For Sicily 2026, the tour will run with a minimum of 10 guests and a maximum of 16.
Your tour includes luxury accommodation 5 star mostly with some 4 star options, all meals (all breakfasts, 9 lunches, 10 dinners), guided tours, transfers (incl. airport transfers), all activities, entrance fees, porter gratuities, and more. Flights and travel insurance are not included.
You’ll enjoy luxury accomodation with a mix of 4 and 5 star accomodations. Each has been carefully chosen for comfort, wow factor, and authenticity.
We do our very best to accommodate dietary requirements. Please let Nellie know at the time of booking so we can confirm what’s possible.
This tour is suitable for people with a moderate level of fitness. There will be some walking and stairs (sometimes on uneven ground).
Australian passport holders do not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days in Italy. If you are travelling on another passport, please check with the Italian Embassy or Consulate for requirements.
June is one of the best months to visit Italy — it is the very beginning of Summer and comfortable conditions for exploring. It is not yet peak tourist season and is a most enjoyable time to travel.
A deposit of $3,500 AUD per person secures your place on the tour. This deposit is non-refundable, as it allows us to confirm special arrangements on your behalf.
A second payment of $1,500 is due by 21 December 2025, with the final balance payable by 2 March 2026.
If, for unforeseen reasons, the tour cannot proceed, all payments you have made will be refunded in full.
Cancellations after final payment may result in up to 100% of the tour cost being non-refundable (please see our full Terms & Conditions for details). We strongly recommend travel insurance to give you peace of mind.
Yes. Travel insurance is required for all guests and should be arranged when you pay your deposit. Your policy must cover medical expenses and emergency repatriation at a minimum.
