Cities
Kerala Cities,Cities of Kerala,Kerala Tours & Travel Serives

Small scale and relatively relaxed, Kerala’s cities and towns are all within easy reach of each other. The most popular tourist destination is undoubtedly the great port of Kochi (formerly Cochin), where Kerala’s extensive history of peaceful foreign contact is evident in the atmospheric old quarters of Mattancherry and Fort Kochi.The capital Thiruvananthapuram (aka Trivandrum), almost as far south as you can go, and a gateway to the nearby palm-fringed beaches of Kovalam. Land of vivid and beautiful landscapes. The state is studded with green paddy fields, lush green coconut trees, sandy beaches and has the most enterprising educated people in India.Kerala is the land of rivers and backwaters. Valuable cash crops like Tea, Rubber, cardamom, coffee and Cashew are grown here.Kerala one of the 3 paradises of the world will remain a long etched memory to any visitors due to the coconut palms, red tiled houses, the beautiful beaches and lakes.

Cities of Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram, the headquarters of the state, is the southern most part of Kerala.The district has lot of awe-inspiring memories, legendary events, and places of historic importance and is a cultural treasure house. Located at the southwestern tip of India, Thiruvananthapuram district is bounded by the Arabian Sea on the west and Tamil Nadu on the east. The wooded highlands on the Western Ghats in the eastern and northeastern borders give Thiruvananthapuram some of the most enchanting picnic spots.

A long shoreline, with internationally renowned beaches, historic monuments, backwater stretches and a rich cultural heritage make this district a much sought after tourist destination.Thiruvananthapuram is the capital of Kerala.

Kollam
Kollam, the centre of the country’s cashew trading and processing industry, is one of the oldest ports on the Malabar Coast. The district was once the port of international spice trade. Thirty per cent of this historic town is covered by the renowned Ashtamudi Lake, making it the gateway to the magnificent backwaters of Kerala.The eight hour boat trip between Kollam and Alappuzha is the longest and most enchanting experience on the backwaters of Kerala.The district also has some interesting historic remnants and a number of temples built in the traditional ornate architectural style.

Kottayam
Kottayam, among the State’s more mountainous district, is sandwiched between the lofty Western Ghats on ht e east and the Vembanad Lake and paddy fields of Kuttanad on the west. Panoramic backwater stretched, lush paddy fields, highlands, extensive rubber plantations and totally literate people have given this district the enviable title: The land of letters, latex and lakes. This land also boasts the first Malayalam printing press which was establish by Benjamin Bailey, a Christian missionary, in 1820 AD.Kottayam is the ideal take off point for visit to Peermede,Munnar,Idukki,Thekkady,Ernakulam and the temple of city of Madurai.

Alappuzha
The never-ending panorama of glorious greenery intertwined by sapphire backwaters, and a delightful rustic life make Alappuzha a favorite holiday destination. These intricate networks of canals that snake their way through the vast expanse of paddy fields, through the lanes give Alappuzha the sobriquet of Venice of the East. By virtue of its proximity to the sea, the town has always enjoyed a unique place in the maritime history of Kerala.Alappuzha is an important backwater tourist centre, attracting several thousand of foreign tourists each year. The district is famous for its boat eaces, houseboat holidays, beaches, marine products and coir industry.

Access: Nearest airports: Thiruvananthapuram (150 km); Kochi (Nedumbassery) – 85 km.Rail: Well connected to major cities. An excellent road network links the district to all major towns and cities of India.

Ernakulam
Located on the coast of the Arabian sea,Ernakulam with Kottayam district on the south,Idukki on the east and Thrissur on the north, is the commercial capital and the most cosmopolitan city of Kerala,Kochi,inErnakulam,is also known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea. This city has the largest number of Art Galleries in Kerala.The Gallery at Durbar Hall is the largest on in South India. As per the Corporation records, there are 27 exclusive vegetarian Hotels, the largest in the State. With one of the finest natural harbors in the world, this was once a major centre of commerce and trade with the British, Arabs, Chinese, Portuguese, and Dutch etc.

Shopping: The Mahatma Gandhi Road (M.G.Road) is the city’s main commercial district. A bustling shopping centre where you can by almost all kind of goods including textiles,garments,jewelley,handicrafts,electronic goods,books,toys ect.Convent Road, branching westwards, has a growing number of boutiques and outlets for the trendy and brand conscious. In Jew Street, Mattancherry, there is a plethora of shops selling old antiques. If you are interested in art, then the Kashi Art Café on Burger Street and Dravida Art and Performance gallery would be the perfect choice.

Thrissur
Thrissur, the land of Pooram, is rich in cultural heritage, archeological wealth, and history, and aptly called as the cultural capital of Kerala.A cultural centre, the Kerala Kala Mandalam, the Kerala Sahitya Academy and Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academay are located here. From ancient times, this district has played a significant role in the political history of South India.

Many rulers and dynasties beginning with the Zamorins of Kozhikode, Tipu Sultan of Mysore and the Dutch and the British have had a hand in moulding the destiny of this region. Raja Rama Varma popularly known as Sakthan Thampuran was the architect of the present Thrissur town. Today Thrissur is world famous for its Pooram festival. Guruvayoor (929 km west of Thrissur), is one of the most sacred and important pilgrim centre of Kerala.Its main attraction is the Sree Krishna temple. This historic temple is shrouded in mystery. The eastern nad is the main entrance to the shrine. In the outer enclosure is the tall 33.5 m high gold plated flag post. There is also a 7 m high pillar or lamps, whose thirteen circular receptacles provide a truly gorgeous spectacle when lit.

Palakkad
The district of Palakkad known as the granary of Kerala,is a land of valleys,hillocks,rivers,forests,mountain streams, dams and irrigation projests.Situated at the foot of the Western Ghats,this is the gateway to Kerala from the north.Plakkad derives its name from the Malayalam word Pala (Alsteria Scholaris) and Kadu (forest)which goes to proves that this place was once a beautiful stretch of forests covered with the sweet scented flowers of the Pala tree.

Kozhikode (Calicut)
Kozhikode, once the capital of the powerful Zamorins, was a prominent trade and commerce centre of the Malabar region.Today, lush green countrysides, serene beaches, historic sites, wildlife sanctuaries, rivers, hills, unique culture and a warm, fiendly ambience make Kozhikode a popular destination.

Kannur
With the Western Ghats in the east (Coorg district of Karnataka State), Kozhikode and Wayanad districts in the south, Lakshadweep Sea in the west and Kasaragod in the north, Kannur district is bounded by a wealth of natural beauty. The district itself which shares much of this natural splendor has been a key contributor to the cultural, religious, political and industrial heritage of the State. In addition, Kannur enjoys the credit of having been the cradle of many a colorful folk art and folk music of Kerala. Cannanore is steeped in its historical legacy. It was the Zamorin of Calicut who welcomed the first European to set foot in India using the sea routs - the Portuguese under Vasco da Gama in 1498.

Fort St.Angelo,the sea front laterite fort constructed in 1505 AD,is to the west of Kannur town.A protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India,the imposing Thalassery Fort has massive walls,huge,intricately carved doors and secret tunnels.

Kasargod
Kasargod, the northernmost district of Kerala, Kasargod is a land with resonant past. Myths and legends aboard. The district is renowned for its coir and handloom industries. Fishing is a prime source of livelihood.Kasargod is known as the land of gods, forts, rivers, hills and beautiful beaches and so on speak volumes about the rich cultural heritage of the region. Spectacular pageants of Theyyam.Yakshagana, Kumbla (buffalo race), Poorakkali, Kolkali etc. Enchant visitors. The fort at Bekal is the largest and best preserved in the state.

More than memories to take home.Antiques.Relics from Kerala’s rich culture and history. Exotic spices. Twelve varieties including pepper, cardamom, clove and cinnamon. Wood products, Kathakali masks.Elephants.Snake boats. Coconut shell and coir products. Kitchen utensils.Furnishings.Home decors.Cashewnuts.Fried.Roasted.Salted.Spiced.Or plain. Exclusive take – homees.Tea.Coffee.Fried chips. Dried fish. YOUR TICKET TO THE PALY OF LIFE
DESTINATIONS
Kerala offers the traveller a throng of choices, from famous beaches to big metropolises to quiet secluded islands. The beauty of it says it all, you don't need to spend a lot of time or
money - the places we have selected can be just a weekend getaway to soothe those
tensed nerves.