Kerala the land of many varieties, land with ample Heritage and cultural background and much to offer to the tourists is having many interesting places spread through out the region. A few of the places to visit in Kerala are
Alleppey
Alleppey previously called Alappuzha lies on the edge of the Ashtamudi Lake. With the Arabian Sea on the west and a bunch of lakes, lagoons and several freshwater rivers crossing it, Alleppey is a district of immense natural beauty. Because of its large network of canals many times it is referred as the ‘Venice of the East’ by worldwide tourists. This backwater region is also home to diverse range of animals and birds.  Alleppey has earned fame in the commercial world as the world's premier supplier of coir. It holds a special place in the maritime industry of Kerala because of its location in the vicinity of Arabian Sea.
In recent days Alleppey has emerged as a Backwater Tourist Centre, attracting thousands of foreign tourists each year. Alleppey is also famous for its Boat races, Houseboat Holidays, Beaches, Marine Products and Coir Industry. Every year during August-September, Alleppey is eagerly waiting for the pulsating Nehru Cup Snake Boat Race a water sport unique to Kerala.
In recent days Alleppey has emerged as a Backwater Tourist Centre, attracting thousands of foreign tourists each year. Alleppey is also famous for its Boat races, Houseboat Holidays, Beaches, Marine Products and Coir Industry. Every year during August-September, Alleppey is eagerly waiting for the pulsating Nehru Cup Snake Boat Race a water sport unique to Kerala.
Cochin
Cochin or Kochi being an important port city is strategically located, well connected by aerial routes, railways and road. Travelers who want to arrive by air can alight at Cochin International Airport at Nedumbessary. If you prefer rail journey you have two stations to alight Ernakulam Town and Ernakulam Junction. Many express trains from cities like Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai are plying to Kochi. This city is well connected by road to many major cities of other states.
The city is filled with glamorous shopping centers and Jewellery shops. The Hotels and Restaurants are very attractive and serve appetizing food. Among the busy roads and business centers the city also caters to some very beautiful parks, children's playgrounds and beach side pavements. The Naval base and the Cochin shipyard make it a place of importance. Marine drive is also another business area in Cochin which has a beautiful view of the sea and the islands. You can also see the merchant ships and the cruise liner halting for fueling.
Places of tourist interest being Fort Kochi and Mattancherry. It is an eclectic blend of the Arab, British, Portuguese and Dutch legacy. To get a taste of the Portuguese architecture, you can head towards The Santa Cruz Basilica. The St. Francis Church, another specimen from the Portuguese era, boasts of having being the burial site of the famous Vasco da Gama. The Chinese fishing nets, a remnant from the rule of the majestic Kublai Khan, is another major tourist attraction. After a day of wander lust, you can unwind at the Fort Kochi Beach, which also houses a pretty lighthouse. The Jew Street, the Dutch Cemetery and the Princess Street are some of other coveted tourist hot spots.
The city is filled with glamorous shopping centers and Jewellery shops. The Hotels and Restaurants are very attractive and serve appetizing food. Among the busy roads and business centers the city also caters to some very beautiful parks, children's playgrounds and beach side pavements. The Naval base and the Cochin shipyard make it a place of importance. Marine drive is also another business area in Cochin which has a beautiful view of the sea and the islands. You can also see the merchant ships and the cruise liner halting for fueling.
Places of tourist interest being Fort Kochi and Mattancherry. It is an eclectic blend of the Arab, British, Portuguese and Dutch legacy. To get a taste of the Portuguese architecture, you can head towards The Santa Cruz Basilica. The St. Francis Church, another specimen from the Portuguese era, boasts of having being the burial site of the famous Vasco da Gama. The Chinese fishing nets, a remnant from the rule of the majestic Kublai Khan, is another major tourist attraction. After a day of wander lust, you can unwind at the Fort Kochi Beach, which also houses a pretty lighthouse. The Jew Street, the Dutch Cemetery and the Princess Street are some of other coveted tourist hot spots.
Kovalam
Well known as the ‘Paradise of Southern India’ is sixteen kms away from Trivandrum city. The word ‘Kovalam’ means a grove of coconut trees. The coconut trees at the Kovalam villages symbolize natural beauty and economic value. A characteristic feature of the sands in theKovalam beaches is that they are black in color. This is attributed to the presence of thorazite and ilmenite. It is having three famous beaches, the most preferred of the three beaches is the Lighthouse Beach. The northern Samudra beach has a couple of primitive wooden vessels for fishing. Hawah beach is located in between the other two beaches.
Kumarkom
Kumarakom, located about twelve kms from Kottayam is a famous backwater tourist destination in Kerala. This place can be reached from Alappuzha. This rich green, sleepy little village of Kumarkom is located on the Vembanad Lake amidst mangrove forests and coconut groves. Kumarakom is an enchanting picnic spot and provides boating, fishing and sightseeing experiences that are truly exhilarating. The slender coconut palms scattered everywhere, its never ending paddy fields, lagoons and backwaters, mangroves nesting birds of a hundred varieties is fascinating the tourists. On the scenic Vembanad Lake you will come across plenty of traditional country crafts or houseboats, boats and canoes. The fresh water of the lake runs into the mainland making a cluster of lagoons, brooks, canals and waterways. The backwater houses a variety of species of both fauna and flora and marine life.
Munnar
Munnar was the favored summer resort of the erstwhile British rulers in the colonial days. Unending expanse of tea plantations pristine valleys and mountains exotic species of flora and fauna in its wild sanctuaries and forests with aroma of spice scented cool air is how it can be described in brief. Munnar has all these and more.
Periyar
The central attraction of Periyar, is thePeriyar National Parklocated in the Western Ghats of Kerala. The main attraction of the Periyar National Park is the Periyar lake on a huge 5500 Hectares. This lake is formed by the construction of dam on the river Periyar. Along the perimeter of the lake are the marshy areas with tall grasslands. This is one of the richest habitats of large mammals like elephants, as it provides a natural protection and nourishment to them. The Periyar wildlife sanctuary is having a wide variety of flora and fauna.
The other major attraction being Periyar Tiger Reserve at Thekkady, with great scenic charm, rich bio diversity and providing real visitor satisfaction. Spread over an area of around 750 Sq km., Periyar is one of the twenty seven tiger reserves in India. The great thing about the locals of Periyar is they provide people oriented community based ecotourism and help preserving the forests.
The other major attraction being Periyar Tiger Reserve at Thekkady, with great scenic charm, rich bio diversity and providing real visitor satisfaction. Spread over an area of around 750 Sq km., Periyar is one of the twenty seven tiger reserves in India. The great thing about the locals of Periyar is they provide people oriented community based ecotourism and help preserving the forests.
Thiruvanantapuram
Thiruvananthapuram district lies at the southern tip of Indian peninsula. The very clean and green Thiruvananthapuram city is the capital of kerala and the headquarters of Thiruvananthapuram district. The name Thiruvananthapuram in local language means ‘the abode of Lord Anantha’, where Anantha is the serpent on whom Lord Vishnu reclines. Lord Vishnu or Padmanabhais the presiding deity of Shree Padmanabhasami temple here. Having arabian sea and the wooded Western Ghats on the boundary, Thiruvananthapuram offers the most enchanting tourist spots, with beautiful beaches, historic spots and palaces, famous shrines and mystic backwaters and also the very rich history that dates back to 1000 BC. It is the major center of Medical tourism in India. The city was officially called as Trivandrum in English until 1991. The city is built on seven low hills. Raja Marthanda Varma is considered as the Father of modern Thiruvananthapuram.
Varkala
The landscape of Varkala makes it exceptional amongst the beaches of Kerala. The beach is backed by Towering cliffs that guard the sparkling waters. Highly unusual land formations, the sheerness of the cliffs, and the view from atop, simply mesmerize the visitors. You will observe a composite picture of the beauty and awesomeness of nature with Shining white sands, cloudless skies touching the blue water and the red soil of the hilltop, coupled with yellow-green paddy fields, and green coconut trees. Here nature in its pristine glory remains so untouched that to get to the secluded part of the beach, one has to either scramble over rocks during high tide or climb down the cliff.
Wayanad
Located in the Nilgiri Biosphere, Wayanad district in Kerala is a land of mysterious jungle trails, mountain caves, ancient ruins, thundering waterfalls, exotic wild life and a number of aboriginal tribes. The district's hilly terrain with numerous trails and trekking routes makes it an ideal destination for adventure lovers. With twenty six percent forest cover, much of the district still remains unexplored, and constitutes the last surviving tracts of a unique ecosystem. Wayanad has two major wildlife reserves Muthanga and Tholpetty which are home to an incredible range of flora and fauna, including several endangered species. Nestled at an altitude between 700 - 2100 meters above the sea level, Wayanad Kerala comprises explicit flora and fauna.
The district also has its share of historical and religious monuments. But it's for its natural beauty that Wayanad is best known. This district of Kerala is rich in cardamom and pepper. This region is always filled with the aroma of spices and coffee.
The district also has its share of historical and religious monuments. But it's for its natural beauty that Wayanad is best known. This district of Kerala is rich in cardamom and pepper. This region is always filled with the aroma of spices and coffee.
