India is full of "hill stations," charming towns in the hills and mountains founded by the British during the colonial Raj as respites from the heat and dust of summers on the flatlands. And down in the country's southwestern state of Karnataka (known until 1973 as Mysore), the most charming is Coorg (today called Kodagu), well known among Indians for its breathtakingly exotic scenery and lush greenery as well as being India's largest coffee producer.

This small district on the slopes of the western Ghat Mountains has a history stretching back more than 2,000 years, but its character today was set in place by the British, who created an oasis redolent of old-Europe charm (and indeed, compared the area to Scotland due to its regal highlands and sturdy, mountain-dwelling locals), yet one that's also home to rewarding eco/adventure tourism and fascinating landmarks of long-ago Indian history. Here are a few of Coorg/Kodagu's most popular draws:

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