B&B in Tamil Nadu

A small town 58km from Tuticorin (the nearest rail station and airport), Manapad is in Tamil Nadu’s deep south. The Villa de Joseph is a brave new B&B opened by Chennai-based Arun and Francina Miranda, who trace their roots to this part of the world. They purchased this elegant 1929 bungalow, which was withering away like many of Manapad’s grand old homes, and restored it with meticulous regard. It now has six mod-conned guest rooms and aspires to sustainable tourism. Manapad is a great base from which to enjoy surfing, game fishing, boat rides into the ocean, heritage walks, solitary beaches, and visits to an old Portuguese church and a palm-leaf weavers’ society. Contact 04639-226353, http://manapad.in/resort.html