God’s own Country – A little known place tucked away in a little known corner of the world – that’s Kerala for you. A compact state with a unique amalgamation of cultures and influences, this exotic land promises to take you on a journey of exploration and discovery.

If India is an example of diversity, Kerala is a masterpiece. It’s incredible how such a small strip of land can contain so many exotic ingredients. It might have been Kerala’s love to play host that brought the Phoenicians, Romans, Chinese, Arabs and the British to its shores. May be it was the allure of the Spices. Or may be it was the magnetism of the land………………………

Open skies without invitation or reproach, low-lying vegetations, and truly pellucid waters the colours of  verdigris. Fallen red petals of the Flame of the Forest or the Pala tree in a light, at once limpid are crystalline, add a bit of whimsy to this prettiness. Kerala is small but its cultural resilience is fascinating. There is very little of the huckster’s syndrome that mars many other tourist destinations Worldwide. To come to this Southern silver of land wedged between the sea and a slew of wild peaks is to truly step through the magic glass.

   Hill Stations & Wildlife Sanctuaries

      Munnar, pretty as a postcard picture is a slice of Scotland recreated by the British in the Western Ghats. Vagamon with its manicured meadows, pristine Ponmudi answering to its name the Golden Crest, and Tusharagiri with its rocky perches over looking lush Cardamom plantations are among the other great hill stations in Kerala.

Other Eco-tourism sites are Thenmala in Kollam and Silent Valley in Palakkas. For those keener on sighting a tiger or a tusker the forest to be in is Thekkady.The forest of Wayanad in the north of the state is both scenic and notable for their abundance of wildlife. For those developed to pure adventure tourism there are facilities for armature paragliding and wind surfing just outside Munnar town.

 Beaches

      Kovalam, has been an international destination for years. It might be overcrowded but remains favorite with die hard sun seekers from all over the globe. Kerala’s other beaches are, if anything even more pristine. Many of them like Varkala, Cherari, Nattika and Pallikere have Gold, Coral or Quartz crystal sand and the warm waters are ideal for swimming or surfing. Most of these beaches have classy resorts and as far the exceptions excellent accommodations is available at the nearest metro. The tourist seasons begins in September.

    There is a wealth of historical associations inside streets, abode and market places. Thiruvananthapuram has its palaces and quaint East Fort madoms redolent of its regal past. Trichur has its temples and Gurukulams that speak of centuries old refinement while kottayam has its missionary established printing press and 19th century public square.

A thousand ruins and relics - from 11th century mosque to wooden shipbuilding yard testify to kozhikode’s status in the world. But very few places can match Fort Cochin as a world heritage site, and UNESCO has formally recognized it as such. Kodungallur has both the oldest Mosque and Christian Church in the Indian subcontinent. Kaladi not far away is the 9th century birth place of Adi Sankaracharya, Thalassery, near Kannur, with its Mock Gothic architecture and cricketing tradition evokes the British era in Kerals’s history.