5 destination places for Luxury family holidays :
- V.G.P. Golden Beach
- Covelong Beach (Near Mahabalipuram)
- Arignar Anna Zoological Park
- Sadras Beach Resort (Near Mahabalipuram)
- Nagalapuram (Near Tirupati)
1. V.G.P. Golden Beach
At a distance of 21 Kms from Chennai Central Railway Station and 40 Kms from Mahabalipuram (situated on East Coast Road between Chennai and Mahabalipuram), VGP Golden Beach is the only resort in Chennai city limits. This is one of the popular tourist places to visit near Chennai.
This Beach cum Amusement Park is developed by The Tourism and Entertainment Corridor of Tamil Nadu, and offers wide range of entertainment options like Gokarting, Dashing Cars, Water Chute, Giant Wheel, Break-dance, Dragons belly, Super trooper and many more. Kids can enjoy the special sight seeing of Jurassic Park and Aquarium. There is an Art Centre which sells handicrafts and articles made out of sea shells.
The sea facing Swimming pool is an extra attraction. The beach is clean and ideal for sun-bathing. The Resort has a Multi-cuisine restaurant and a separate Bar
2. Covelong Beach (Near Mahabalipuram)
It was originally just a small fishing village, but now also expanded to become one of the most famous beach resorts in South India. You can still explore the old sea port that used to exist there. Numerous quality beach resorts can be found at Kovalam. The beaches at that location are absolutely exquisite, and are greatly enjoyed by all that visit there. It is also to these beaches that the well-known Olive Ridley Turtles travel to every year to hatch their eggs.
Swimmimg and wind surfing are popular activities at this beach.
3. Arignar Anna Zoological Park - 38 Kms
Established in 1855 and shifted to the current location of Vandalur reserved forests in the year 1979. This park is officially opened to public in 1985, the park covers 510 hectares of land. The park shelters more than 170 species of animals. The dry forests surrounding the Vandalur region is the ideal breeding ground for these animals. It is home for Tigers, Jaguars, Lions, Panther, Elephants, Sambar, Giraffes and many more.
The Park has a library with good collection of wildlife related books and information. Elephant safari is also available in the park.
Timings 9 AM to 8 PM. Tuesday Holiday. But all the animals are back in their cages after 5 PM.
4. Sadras Beach Resort (Near Mahabalipuram) - 68 Kms
The beaches that surround Mahabalipuram are encompassed by beautiful, green casuarinas groves. The contrast of the vibrant green with the sparkling white beaches is breathtaking, and a sight that numerous tourists want to experience.
There is an old ruined Dutch Fort and a Dutch cemetery with finely carved headstones at Sadras as well.
5. Nagalapuram (Near Tirupati) - 87 Kms
At a distance of 16 km from Nagalapuram town, 44 km from Puttur, 87 km from Chennai, 78 km from Tirupati, 107 km from Chittoor, 130 km from Vellore, 120 km from Kanipakam & 288 km from Bangalore, Nagalapuram is a small historical town located in the Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh. Nagalapuram is famous for two things, one is Sri Vedanarayana Swamy Temple and the other one is Nagalapuram falls trekking (also known as Saddhi Koodu Madugu). This is one of the popular sites for trekking near Chennai and also among ideal weekend getaways around Chenani for a two day trip.
Sri Vedanarayana temple is grand shrine dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is said to have been built by Krishna Devaraya of Vijayanagar Empire in remembrance of his mother Nagala Devi, after whom the town is named. The temple reflects the Vijayanagara architectural and the main deity idol is facing west. The sanctum sanctorum has Vedanarayana Swamy with his consort's Sridevi
