​Chennai, formerly known as Madras, can trace its roots back to a tiny fishing village. Bill explores the city’s growth under the British East India Company, with visits to Fort St. George and the Fort Museum. We then travel to the nearby Sao Tome Basilica, the church and burial site of St. Thomas the Apostle. In Pondicherry, French influences can still be felt in the tree-lined streets, colonial mansions and cafés. It’s beautiful setting on the Bay of Bengal makes Pondicherry a delightful place to spend the day. Bill also visits the ancient port city of Mahabalipuram, where the landscape is dominated by carved-stone architecture. The final highlight of our tour is the Descent of Ganga, which is the world’s largest bas-relief carving.