Touted as one of the world's fifty destinations of a lifetime by the National Geographic, Kerala has certainly earned its position on the holiday travel bandwagon.
Located on the southernmost tip of the Indian peninsula, Kerala has a lot going for it in terms of its potential as a holiday destination? not the least its bounteous natural wealth. Its name meaning "land of coconuts", Kerala's luxuriant fronds provide the state with welcome shade from the tropical sun. And blessed with ample rainfall, Kerala's equable climate and fertile soil have clothed this state in the finest of iridescent greens ? all ingredients for a perfect tropical holiday.
Kerala's lush plantations have remained an irresistible temptation for visitors from foreign lands since times immemorial. For earlier it was traders rather than holidaymakers who flocked to Kerala, lured by her spices. Today, visits to plantations growing cardamom, pepper and other exotic spices are on the holiday itineraries of most packages to Kerala.
Which brings us to Kerala's culinary enticements. Kerala has its own unique delectable cooking, quite distinct even amongst South Indian cuisine. Drawing largely on the local produce: rice, coconuts, bananas, fish and a range of spices, the culinary achievement of Kerala lies in the variations that attend the packaging of these staple ingredients to create an endless range of dishes for the gastronomically adventurous tourist: pulaos and biryanis, appams, pootu - rice dough and grated coconut steamed in hollow bamboo, thoran - chopped vegetables, avial ? stew topped with payasam ? the delicious sweet milk desert.
Kerala's extensive 900 km long coastline also means that it has some of the best beaches in India. Known for their gentle surf and clear blue waters, Kerala's tranquil beaches are eagerly sought out by holiday tourists, Indian and foreign. Kovalam, Varkala, Shankhumugam, Vizhinjam, Kappad and Bekal are some of the famous beaches of Kerala.
However, the cream of a Kerala holiday package, for most tourists, would undoubtedly be the backwaters. Tranquil and laid-back, these backwaters are a relic of Kerala's ancient network of floating highways. Indispensable in the past for trade and commerce, Kerala's backwaters continue to rake in revenue from the leisure holiday industry in return for the inimitable experience of a lazy boat cruise, as Kerala unplugged floats languidly by. Kuttanad, Alappuzha, Kottavam and Kochi are the most interesting for the perfect Kerala backwaters holidays.
And then there are the hills. The Western Ghats, extending from Maharashtra southwards, terminate in Kerala with the gently rolling hills and valleys that are home to the unique shola forests and tea, coffee and spice plantations - yet another holiday attraction in Kerala. Distinct in appeal from either the beaches or the backwaters, Kerala's hill stations with their mist filled valleys and cloud covered mountains offer perfect holiday bliss in the form of the invigorating mountain air, laden with the aroma of freshly picked spices. Nelliyampathy, Munnar, Devikulam, Peermade, and Malampuzha are some of the hill stations on the Kerala holiday circuit.
Kerala's hilly regions are also home to lush forests and streams, making them home to some of the most spectacular wildlife reserves in India. Besides the elephant, gaur, deer, leopard and tiger, Kerala is home to rare wildlife including Nilgiri tahr and lion tailed macaque, and most holiday packages to Kerala offer a date with this raw, untamed face of Kerala. Eranakulam, Silent Valley, Parambikulam, Peppara, Nagarhole and Periyar are especially famous for wildlife holidays in Kerala.
Besides, Kerala literally brims over with history and culture, amply visible all over during a holiday here, whether in its fantastic ancient temples, its unique art forms including Kathakali and Kalaripattu and festivals such as Pooram and Onam.
Blessed with a wealth of beauty and natural resources, it is not surprising that Kerala is home to Ayurveda, the ancient Indian Science of Health. Supported by a salubrious climate, Kerala is home to a number of health spas and Wellness centres where tourists experience a rejuvenating holiday in God's own country.
Kerala truly is a holiday paradise in India
Roozbegh Gazdar Content Writer http://www.traveljini.com http://www.traveljini.com
Rolling Meadows Cadillac Escalade rental .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareRecently we stayed at a state campground in Michigan near... Read More
It seems like the most adventurous thing in the world.... Read More
On Lake Michigan, at the end of the Stonington Peninsula,... Read More
The great state of Washington offers some of the best... Read More
Take a captivating trip through the Cape Cod National Seashore... Read More
As the warmer weather approaches, we look forward to another... Read More
It was the end of my first year as a... Read More
As any keen mountain biker will know, there are some... Read More
If you're a birder, you want to keep a list... Read More
Don't all of us love to have the money to... Read More
Barnegat Light, NJ is the home to "Old Barney" a... Read More
The Royal Barge Procession in Bangkok, conducted on very rare... Read More
I've been traveling and writing about places I believe others... Read More
How to get the most out of your trekking poles... Read More
Have you ever seen an authentic Japanese garden? Well, I... Read More
There are two types of used inflatable boats for sale... Read More
It is the downhill ski racing competition of the winter... Read More
Directly south of Louisville, just off Interstate 65 and not... Read More
WHAT TO FISH AND WHERE: Alaska offers some of the... Read More
The Cairns Fishing Adventure A Great Australia Road TripYou love... Read More
1. Take the early morning drives on safari even though... Read More
The Usamabara Mountains are very special mountains, often that tired... Read More
An African honeymoon safari is the perfect way to celebrate... Read More
Drive along one of South Africa's scenic strips and you... Read More
We weren't planning to go rock and arrowhead hunting in... Read More
Des Moines rental limo ..A meal in Greece is highlighted with a selection of... Read More
A camping gear checklist is an important tool to help... Read More
You would think that a cheap safari in Africa for... Read More
Which is the best African safari company for my safari... Read More
Have you ever seen an authentic Japanese garden? Well, I... Read More
Malaria is endemic to most of the areas in Africa... Read More
The Kenya safari circuit is one of the best in... Read More
Romancing History ? A Holiday in RajasthanRajasthan, the name evokes... Read More
For most people, outdoor cooking is synonymous with barbeque, but... Read More
Hawaii snorkeling is a fun activity available to almost any... Read More
Any vacations in Africa will not be complete without going... Read More
Are your kids begging you to take them camping, but... Read More
The islands of Samoa are emerging as an exciting new... Read More
If anyplace on earth is a natural paradise, Plitvice Lakes... Read More
River rafting is a major attraction in California. The most... Read More
Boston is a great destination city for a vacation. There's... Read More
Going on a gorilla safari must rank as one of... Read More
New experiences make me nervous, and I assume that holds... Read More
Solo backpacking means peace and quiet. No one to talk... Read More
For the dedicated water sport enthusiast there can be no... Read More
Campgrounds are a perfect Pigeon Forge lodging option for visitors... Read More
The Cairns Fishing Adventure A Great Australia Road TripYou love... Read More
In The city of Arcadia California, right next door to... Read More
If your aim is not good, or is not quite... Read More
Spain offers the visitor over 4,000 kms of coastline where... Read More
Outdoors |