Belgaum (earlier known as "Venugrama" or the "Bamboo Village") is one of the oldest, sturdy, well-known and well cultured historical place nestling high in the Western Ghats. The old town area with cotton and silk weavers stands superbly besides the modern, lively, tree-lined British Cantonment. Belgaum has an enviable heritage and offers much to be discovered. It lies in the zone of cultural conversion between Karnataka, Maharashtra and Goa with a known antiquity clearly perceptible up to 2nd Century A.D. Due to its closeness with the states of Maharashtra and Goa, Belgaum has acquired the cultural flavor of these states and blended it with the local Kannada culture to create a rich heritage, which is unique in its expression. It is also known as Malenadu or Rain Country and the vegetation here is lush green throughout the year.

Among the various tourist attractions, Halasi is a place in the background of the Western Ghats in lush green atmosphere. It was the second capital of the Kadambas of Banavasi. The huge Bhuvaraha Narasimha temple has tall images of Varaha, Narasimha, Narayana and Surya. The place has a fort, and also temples of Gokarneshswara, Kapileshwara, Swarneshwara and Hatakeshwara. Saundatti is another place having a fort on the hill built during the 18th Century, by Sirasangi Desai, with eight bastions. It was the capital of Rattas who latter shifted their headquarters to Belgaum. There are two temples of Ankeshwara, Puradeshwara, Mallikarjuna, Venkateshwara and the Veerabhadra. The Renukasagar waters touch the outskirts of Saundatti.

It is very easy to reach Belgaum as it has an airport. Belgaum is connected by rail to Bangalore (via Londa), Bombay/Mumbai (via Miraj), and Vasco da Gama. It is also connected by road to most places in South and west India.

Indiaholidaytravel.com provides information on Belgaum and different tourist places around Karnataka.