Ideas for half and full day trips include
DINDIGUL for the flower market, the UNESCO world heritage Fort and a small insight into life in an important market town (half day or longer);
MADURAI for the Meenakshi Temple, the Tamukkam Palace and the Gandhi Museum (full day);
PALANI for the Dandayudhapani Temple (full day);
KODAIKANAL, a hill station, from where there are fine views across the plains (full day).