Think of Kerala and here are a few things that are sure to conjure up in your mind – the soothing greenery, soft sandy beaches, spread around palm trees and, of course, the tastiest banana chips! Yes, Kerala is a package of fun, splendor and culture. Unlike most cities that are visited for their urban renovation, Kerala is desired for its natural beauty.
Known as the green strip of India, Kerala, one of the most visited tourist spots in India, has a lot in store to offer to tourists – from Kanyakumari’s exotic sunrise to Munnar’s cold weather to hot spicy food to fun-filled water sports. Now that sound like a dream destination. Doesn’t it?
Places of Attraction
Alleppey
Alleppey : – Called as the ‘Venice of east’, Alleppey offers a beautiful scenic view – Arabian Sea on the west and group of lakes and lagoons crossing the place seems like a the nature’s gift to Alleppey. Few tourist spots here are – Kuttanad, Alleppey Beach, Pathira Manal, Champakulam Church, Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple. In recent times, Alleppey has become popular among tourists for boat races, houseboat holidays, and beaches; and there is also commercial importance of the place for its marine products and coir industry.
Cochin
Cochin : – Once popular as a commercial center for trade with British, Arabs, Chinese, Cochin now also called as Ernakulam has the finest of natural harbors in the world. Crowned as the Queen of Arabian Sea, Cochin is abode to several places of attraction – Fort Kochi Beach (a walk along the beat at sunset is an experience tourists rarely forget), Chinese Fishing Nets, St. Francis Church, Dutch Palace, Synagogue, Marine Drive, Veega Land (the largest amusement park in south India), Bolghatty Island and Willingdon Island (a man made island).
MUNNAR
MUNNAR : Surrounded with lush greenery and deep cool valley make Munnar a perfect hill station to tour at. What’s more, you get to see a charming scene of Gaur, Langoor, Lion-tailed macaque, and elephants moving around in herd. An interesting fact about Munnar is that it was carved out of forests a little time ago.
Important places that you should visit are Pothamedu, Devikulam, Nyayamakad, Rajamala, and Eravikulam National Park.
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari : – The southern most tip of India and also perhaps one of the most spectacular locations in India, has an incredible beauty to its credit. How else would a place surrounded with magnificent hills and embellished with an awe inspiring sunrise and sunset look like? Added to its regional beauty is Kanyakumari’s pilgrim importance. It is said- go anywhere in India but do not miss visiting Kanyakumari, where there is an unusual amalgamation of Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal.
Kumarakom
Kumarakom :– Although there are not many places to stopover at in Kumarakom but the landscape it presents is worth halting at Kumarakom for. The only hot tourist spot for tourists in Kumarakom is the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary.
Guarded by Western Ghats on the east and green fields on the west, Kumarakom is a delightful land. With hardly any man-made constructs, the place is full of natural and exquisite scenes. And who wouldn’t want to see nature’s miracles?
Kerala Water Sports
Kerala Water Sports :- Any tour with no adventure would be incomplete. So in Kerala you get the chance to enjoy the thrill of adventurous water sports, which include Wind Surfing, Canoeing, Snorkeling, Scuba Diving, Kayaking, Para Sailing, Catamaran Sailing. If you don’t happen to love such extreme adventure all that, there are other sports to keep you happy – beach volleyball, angling, and speed boating. Well, that sounds like real fun!
Bon Appétit
The delicious traditional food of Kerala is famous all over India for its pleasant aroma and spiced flavor. Tangy Rasam (hot Rasam served with sweets), Appam (soft pancake made of rice batter) and Puttu (made of rice flour) are few delicacies typical to Kerala. Besides this, you would also find Mughlai, Chinese and Fast Food at different eating joints. Few renowned restaurants in Kerala are – Chariot Beach Snacks Princess Street, Fort Cochin, and Chinese Jade Pavilion Taj Malabar hotel - Willingdon Island, Pandhal Multi Cuisine - M.G. Road, Ernakulam and Utsav Indian Taj Residency - Marine Drive
Shopping
Shopping lovers are ought to love Kerala, for here you will find a variety of unique and creative items. Kerala’s local craft, gold jewelries, saris, ivory carvings, pottery, brocade fabrics and earthenware products are few shopping items you wouldn’t leave Kerala without. Apart from these, Kerala is best at pepper, turmeric, ginger and other spices and yes, the famous wooden ‘Kathakali’ mask. The best place to shop in Kerala is in Trivandrum at M.G Road. So that leaves you with a plenty of things for yourself and your close ones to take back home to.
Climate
Kerala has a tropical climate - the summers aren’t that sunny and winters aren’t that chilly. Anytime to plan a tour to Kerala is recommended, however October to April is the best season when the weather is more pleasant and enjoyable. At this time the countryside is at its best with greener lands and clearer sky!
Transport
Traveling in a new city as a tourist can be highly complicated and thorny job. But in Kerala there is hardly any such problem as there is more than one way of traveling – luxury, semi-luxury, tourist and self/chauffer driven taxis are available for easy travel. There are also auto rickshaws. And all these means of transportation are present all round the clock.
The delicious traditional food of Kerala is famous all over India for its pleasant aroma and spiced flavor. Tangy Rasam (hot Rasam served with sweets), Appam (soft pancake made of rice batter) and Puttu (made of rice flour) are few delicacies typical to Kerala. Besides this, you would also find Mughlai, Chinese and Fast Food at different eating joints. Few renowned restaurants in Kerala are – Chariot Beach Snacks Princess Street, Fort Cochin, and Chinese Jade Pavilion Taj Malabar hotel - Willingdon Island, Pandhal Multi Cuisine - M.G. Road, Ernakulam and Utsav Indian Taj Residency - Marine Drive
Shopping lovers are ought to love Kerala, for here you will find a variety of unique and creative items. Kerala’s local craft, gold jewelries, saris, ivory carvings, pottery, brocade fabrics and earthenware products are few shopping items you wouldn’t leave Kerala without. Apart from these, Kerala is best at pepper, turmeric, ginger and other spices and yes, the famous wooden ‘Kathakali’ mask. The best place to shop in Kerala is in Trivandrum at M.G Road. So that leaves you with a plenty of things for yourself and your close ones to take back home to.
Kerala has a tropical climate - the summers aren’t that sunny and winters aren’t that chilly. Anytime to plan a tour to Kerala is recommended, however October to April is the best season when the weather is more pleasant and enjoyable. At this time the countryside is at its best with greener lands and clearer sky!
