By Soumya Roy ( 05st April, 2008)
From antiques to ayurveda, houseboat to heli-tours - Kerala presents
exquisite ideas and traveling ideas. Here I present best five themes for the
season.
·
Spice Tours - Spice route is not a new phenomenon.
Centuries ago Arab and followed by Europeans took the hazardous route to
explore the spice laden Malabar Coast. Spices are the most luring subject of
the time and merchants from distant places travelled to the trodden path to
search for spice treasure. Today Kerala is a major producer of spices
including pepper, cardamom, nutmeg and cinnamon. Explore the Ernakulam's
Broadway and Mattancherry's Jew Town and mesmerized by the smells of spices
from numerous shop shelves.
·
Indo - Portuguese Museum - Kerala was once a
stronghold of Portuguese and the Indo Portuguese Museum is the right place
to begin the journey to the past. The museum was established by the late
Bishop Joseph Kureethra to preserve the heritage of his diocese. The museum
houses 16th century furniture, utensils, chests, maps, tiles from Lisbon and
images of saints, speaks about the enriched past of Portuguese culture in
India.
·
Kerala Sari - It is not imaginable your holiday in
Kerala without shopping. And whats better than exquisite sari shopping from
the villages of Kerala. Visit the village of Balarampuram to see its 1000
odd weavers create the off white fabric familiar across the country as the '
Kerala Sari'. It is different attire than rest of the country, known as
mundum neriyathu, a set of two pieces, one tied as a lungi and the other to
cover the upper body. You can also get saris in different shops in the town.
·
Hoseboat Holiday - If you have deep pockets then
don't miss the most relaxing and memorable experience in 'God Own's
Country'. The luxury houseboats or kettuvalloms have all the features of
delux hotels, including a personal cook who dedicately entreat you with
Kerala authentic recipes. Enjoy the scenic journey meandering through
crisscross backwaters; you can also stop at some villages and gain cultural
enhancement.
·
Heli -Tours - It is a new tourism arrived in Kerala.
The Great India Tour Company, in association with King Rotors and Air
Charters, has launched a series of helicopter flights - from 30 minutes
helicopter tour of Thiruvananthapuram to a backwater tour from the capital
to Kumarakom, a shoreline flight to Kanyakumari and hill flight to Thekkady
and Munnar. Charting a helicpoter for six people costs approaximately Rs.
70000 per hour.
Related Guide Links
Cochin
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
Trivandrum
Kerala Backwater
Kerala Ayurveda
