Kerala destinations

Cochin,      Kovalam,    Thiruvananthapuram,     Allepey

Cochin:

An all time tourist favourite, Kochi or Cochin is the commercial capital of Kerala. It has to offer palaces, forts, beaches, backwaters, old churches, snakes boat races, Kathakali Dances, museums and the convenience of a big city. Kochi is just about the center of Kerala. It is basically a collection of islands and narrow peninsulas. Ernakulam is the commercial center and forms the mainland. The two main railway stations and the bus stands are located here. Fort Kochi & Mattachery, form an elongated island west of Ernakulam. Willingdon island which houses the Airport, Port & Naval base lies between Ernakulam & Fort Kochi. Jos junction in Ernakulam is considered as the nerve center of the city.

How To Reach
By Air : Cochin is connected by air with Aggati, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Goa,Mumbai.
By Road :Cochin is connected by road with various cities of India.
By Rail :Cochin is connected by rail with major cities of India.

Cochin Location
Kochi's location between the blue, blue waters of the Arabian Sea and Kerala’s emerald backwaters, its rich medley of Indian

Tourist Attraction
1.Dutch Palace, Mattancherry:
2.St. Francis Church:
3.Fort Cochin:
4.Willington Island:
5.Mangalavanam:
6.The Pareekshit Thampuran Museum:
7.Kathakali Centres:
8.Thattekad Bird Sanctuary:
9.Kodanad:
10.Jewish Synagogue:
11. Mattancherry:

 

Thiruvananthapuram:

Thiruananthapuram or Trivandrum retains its past glory of the capital of a princely state. The capital of Kerala in the southwestern tip of India, Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) or Syanandoorapuri is built on hills with wide-open spaces, sports stadia and low-lying paddy fields. Thiruvananthapuram is a district surrounded by the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats and derives its name from the deity at the Sree Anantha Padmanabhaswami Temple, one of the major landmarks of the city.

Besides this magnificent temple, Thiruvananthapuram or Trivandrum offers a great deal more to tourists wishing to holiday in Thiruvananthapuram. There is the Observatory to start with, established over a hundred years ago in Thiruvananthapuram. Several kings have also built their palaces in and around Thiruvananthapuram, each more impressive than the other. Despite a few attempts at modernity, Thiruvananthapuram retains its discreet, old-world charm.

Sri Chitra Art Gallery within the museum compound is an ideal place for art lovers. The piece de resistance is the large section devoted to the paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, an Indian painter of distinction in the history of the country's modern art. Besides him, the Indian section also contains works of Rabindranath Tagore, Jamimi Roy, K. K. Hebar, miniatures from the Rajput and Mughal schools of painting and the famous Tanjore paintings encrusted with semi-precious stones. The gallery's collection also includes paintings from Indonesia, China and Japan.

Then, of course, Thiruvananthapuram or Trivandrum travel is incomplete without a boat-ride on the enchanting backwaters of Kerala. These waterways of Thiruvananthapuram teem with life. One can be seduced by the panorama of beautiful landscapes, beaches and waterways, coconut palms and, of course, beautiful, friendly people of Thiruvananthapuram.

Touring Kerala during festivals, especially Thiruvananthapuram or Trivandrum, can be quite a colourful experience. Onam is the main festival of Thiruvananthapuram, which is celebrated in the month of August or September. This is the harvest festival of Thiruvananthapuram and signifies association of the people with agriculture. Christmas is the other festival of this part of the country and Thiruvananthapuram wears a colourful look during this time of the year.

Accommodation
Accommodation is not a problem for tourists traveling to Thiruvananthapuram or Trivandrum. As the city is always bustling with tourists, hotels in Thiruvananthapuram or Trivandrum catering to different income groups have opened up. Starting from luxurious hotels to reasonably cheap accommodations, all are available in the capital of Kerala. The city has a very good number of resorts specializing in nature therapy.
 

Kovalam:

Kovalam was a small, sleepy village. It lay in humble obscurity along the picturesque coast of Kerala. Then around 1930, this little village was unexpectedly shaken out of its lethargic slumber and thrust on the international tourist map. The vendors of holiday dreams along the sea had discovered the fabulous silver sands and palm-fringed shores of Kovalam. From then onwards, there was no looking back.

Today Kovalam is reckoned the most trendy beach retreat in India. A combination of three small beaches, Kovalam, meaning "a groove of coconut trees," is just 16 km from the state capital of Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram. The sheltered natural bay, the azure blue waters and the sumptuous spread of green palm groves make it a tropical paradise of sorts.

Earlier Kovalam was an anglers' paradise, but gradually transformed into a tourist spot of great interest. From sun bathing to swimming, Ayurvedic rejuvenation to yoga and meditation, herbal body toning massages to special cultural programmes and catamaran cruising, holidays in Kovalam is a tourist delight. The Kovalam lighthouse beach is where most visitors spend their time.

Catamaran cruises on the country raft is hugely popular in Kovalam. Many marine activities are possible at Kovalam. The local fishermen provide sunrise and sun set cruises in fishing boats. Angling for deep-sea fishing is highly catching up with tourists who come for vacation in Kovalam. Surfboards and boogie boards can also be hired on the beach.

As Ayurveda of Kerala is renowned, it is surprising that Kovalam's many hotels and resorts offers Ayurvedic massage and treatment. Yoga (Indian way of meditation) centers are also plenty in Kovalam. Some theatres perform the traditional Kerala art form - Kathakali, and ethnic martial art - Kalarippayattu.

Among innumerable beach resorts in Kovalam, the Kovalam Ashok Beach Resort, Surya Samudra Beach Garden, Somatheeram, Niki's Nest, Cocunut Bay Beach Resort, Uday Samudra Beach Resort, Hotel Samudra etc own private beaches are popular for their cleanliness and secluded location. Most of these private beaches are located near Vizhinjam at least 8 km far from Kovalam

Accommodation
Kovalam has some of the best luxurious and exotic beach resorts in Kerala. The beach resorts are well equipped with the best of facilities being offered to the tourists. From exotic cuisine to Ayurvedic rejuvenation packages, to yoga and meditation programs to conferencing and banqueting facilities, Kovalam has it all. Kovalam also has enough facilities for the budget conscious tourist.

How to travel to Kovalam
Kovalam can be reached directly by regular bus and taxi services from Thiruvananthapuram, the nearest city. Connected by rail from all major cities in India to Thiruvananthapuram. Thiruvananthapuram is the nearest airport connecting Kovalam to other destinations in India.
 

Alappuzha:

Alappuzha, formerly known as Alleppey, is one of the exotic backwater in Kerala. Caressed by the Arabian Sea and interlocked by a number of canals and bridges, this stunningly gorgeous 'Venice of the East' has more than the boat races, houseboats, beaches, marine products and the coir industry; Alappuzha is home to diverse animal and bird life. Also referred to as the rice bowl of Kerala, Alappuzha was separated out from the former districts of Kottayam and Quilon. It is bounded by Kochi and Kanayannur taluks on its north; Vaikom, Kottayam, Changanassery Thiruvalla, Kozhencherry and Adoor taluks on its east; Kannathur and Karunagappally taluks on its south and the exotic Lakshadweep of the Arabian Sea on its west.

Alappuzha is a not-to-be-missed tourist destination in Kerala. Apart from its exotic backwater locations, Alappuzha is famous for the annual Nehru Trophy Boat Race that takes place during the month of August-September in Punnamada Kayal. During this time the place becomes vibrant with festive and competitive spirit.

To get a feel of traditional and typical Keralan style of architecture, the two-storied Krishnapuram Temple, displays the best example. The largest mural painting, Gajendra Miksham, is displayed in a museum here. Typical temple architecture and culture of Kerala can be witnessed in Ambalapuzha Temple, where Lord Krishna is worshipped. During the festival period of March/April, the Keralan delicacy payasam can be savored.

Alappuzha is dotted with temples, highly revered not only in the state but throughout India. Situated in the heart of the town, Mullackal Temple, dedicated to goddess Rajarajeswari, is also a place worth visiting. Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple, surrounded by thick-green forests, is a holy place where the king of serpents is worshiped. Number of devotees from all over India and abroad visit this place every year. The Chettikulangara Bhagavathy Temple is believed to have miraculous powers and hence visited by number of pilgrims every year. Kottamkulangara Mahavishnu Temple and Devi Temple are the oldest temples of Alappuzha and are sites worth visiting, especially during the time of festivals. And a visit to St. Andrew's Church, established by the Portuguese missionaries, can give visitors to witness the feast of St. Sebastian.

Alappuzha City travel offers tourists good shopping options. Among the locally available products of Alappuzha are the coir products and carpets. The fine quality, variety and reasonable price tag make these products stay high in the demand list of tourists. Besides Alappuzha City is also famous for its pepper, coconut oil, areca nut, cardamon, sugar, etc. Several markets are available in Alappuzha City, though the market of Kayamkulam is most important.