Pondicherry: French Quarters and Christmas Lights on a Shoestring
Pondicherry charges less than Goa for nearly the same coastline. During the Christmas and New Year stretch, the French Quarter strings up lights along Rue Suffren and Rue Dumas, the beachside promenade fills with families, and the Catholic churches, Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus among them, hold midnight masses that are open to all. Budget guesthouses on the Tamil side of town run between ₹800 and ₹1,500 a night. Eat at the Surguru restaurant on Mission Street for a full South Indian meal under ₹200. The real cost-saver: Pondicherry has no airport crowds. Take the overnight bus from Chennai for under ₹500.
