With the Arabian Sea in the west, the Western Ghats towering 500-2700 m in the east and networked by forty four rivers, Kerala enjoys unique geographical features that have made it one of the most sought after tourist destinations in Asia. An equable climate. A long shoreline with serene...

With the Arabian Sea in the west, the Western Ghats towering 500-2700 m in the east and networked by forty four rivers, Kerala enjoys unique geographical features that have made it one of the most sought after tourist destinations in Asia. An equable climate. A long shoreline with serene beaches. Tranquil streches of emerald backwaters. Lush hill stations and exotic wildlife. Waterfalls. Sprawling plantations and paddy fields. Ayurvedic health holidays. Enchanting art forms. Magical festivals. Historic and cultural monuments. An exotic cuisine... All of which offer you a unique experience. And what's more, every one of these charming destinations is only a two hour drive from the other. A singular advantage no other destination offers. Kerala, India's most advanced society : A hundred percent literate people. World-class health care systems. India's lowest infant mortality and highest life expectancy rates. The highest physical quality of life in India. Peaceful and pristine, Kerala is also India's cleanest State. For administrative purpose, the state of Kerala is divided into fourteen districts. Most of these districts offer all the tourism products typical of the State. Its up to you to decide whether Kerala is the most beautiful state of India. At least it is the greenest and is a melting pot of cultures, activities and other interesting sights. It is situated in the south of India with the Arabian sea along its western coast, that paved the way for international trade, and the mountain range of western Ghats on the east with its marvellous nature. It is the most literate state in India and travellers will soon find out that English is widely understood although the native language is Malayalam.

There are three airports: Calicut in the north, Kochi in the centre and  Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) in the south. Trivandrum is the state capital although it might not appear like that at first sight. It still has a rustic ambience. The Napier Museum has a good overview of the states history. From here, you can easily explore the marvellous beaches of Varkala and Kovalam.

A trip you cant refuse when youre in Kerala is leaving the small town of Kollam by boat and go by means of the backwaters, to the market town Alappuzha. You'll have a spectacular view of what life is like in that area. Kochi, the commercial capital, is a bit more to the north and has, besides its seaside front, a lot to offer for those interested in history. The old European church, Chinese fishing nets and the Jewish synagogue are only a few of the remnants of the former days.

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