KERALA

Kerala, a state on India's tropical Malabar Coast, has nearly 600km of Arabian Sea shoreline. It's known for its palm-lined beaches and backwaters, a network of canals. Inland are the Western Ghats, mountains whose slopes support tea, coffee and spice plantations as well as wildlife. National parks like Eravikulam and Periyar, plus Wayanad and other sanctuaries, are home to elephants, langur monkeys and tigers.

The state boasts a high level of literacy, way above the country's standard (for men AND women) and life expentancy is the highest in the whole Indian sub-continent. With its communist political regime, Kerala is one of India's most stable states, where its citizens are the most involved.

Top places to visit:

1. Munnar

Popular among honeymooners, Munnar is a hill station in the state of Kerala. Located in the Western Ghats at a height of 1600 metres, Munnar is famous for its tea estates, greenery, blankets of mist forming natural-view points. Munnar is divided into Old Munnar, where the tourist information office is, and Munnar, where the bus station and most guest houses are located. The Eravikulam National Park, Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary and tea plantations are its major attractions.

2. Alleppey

Officially called Alappuzha, Alleppey is the picture-perfect place known for its beautiful backwaters and the houseboats offering overnight stays. The coastline of Alleppey offers some of the best beaches in Kerala with water sports during the dry season. Alleppey is located close to Kochi in the South Indian state of Kerala. Its palm-fringed inter-connect network of canal backwaters attracts a lot of tourists from all over the world. Coupled with other beautiful places in Kerala like Munnar and Thekkady, Alleppey is often considered for a honeymoon or for a great family vacation.

3. Wayanad

Replete with waterfalls, historical caves, comfortable resorts and homestays, Wayanad in Kerala is famous for its spice plantations and wildlife. Walking through the sprawling spice plantations, trekking to the pre-historic caves and experiencing a resort holiday are one of the many things you can do to get a taste of Wayanad. Wayanad is best known for the wildlife reserves - Wayanad wildlife reserve which is home to an exquisite variety of flora and fauna. Wayanad wildlife reserve is an integral part of the Nilgiri biosphere reserve peacefully located amidst the serene hills of Western Ghats. Wayanad homes a wide variety of wildlife like elephants, leopards, and bears. Wayanad is a perfect weekend idea from the cities of South India. If taking a road trip from Bangalore, you will drive through three national parks: Nagarhole, Bandipur and Mudumalai.

4. Kochi

Situated on the southwest coast of India, Kochi or Cochin is a commercial port city with a trading history that dates back to at least 600 years. Called the Queen of the Arabian Sea, the city is Kerala's financial, commercial, and industrial capital. A gaggle of islands interconnected by ferries, this cosmopolitan town has upmarket stores, art galleries and some of the finest heritage accommodations. In a true vintage-meets-future fashion, restaurants and shopping hubs crowd Ernakulum, Jew Town and Fort Kochi along with palaces, beaches, temples, and heritage sites. Kochi is also an important place to see Kathakali and Kalarippayattu performances and the annual Biennale Festival. Well connected by all means possible, this coastal city is both a popular tourist hotspot and an active naval base, being officially the home to the Southern Command of the Indian Navy and an air squadron of the Indian Navy.

5. Trivandrum

The capital city of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram or Trivandrum, is an appealing blend of a strongly rooted heritage and a nostalgic colonial legacy. Built upon seven hills, this city has long since left the days when it was only used by seafaring explorers behind - today, Trivandrum is an expensive metropolis with quaint urban charm and plenty of architectural and historical places to visit. In addition, Trivandrum is a gateway to nearby popular beach towns of Kovalam and Varkala. The Padmanabhaswamy temple (also known as Anantha Padmanabhaswamy temple) is a must-visit temple of India. Other famous temples in Trivandrum include the Attukal Bhagawati temple, the Aazhimala Siva Temple, the Karikkakom Chamundi Devi Temple, and the Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple.

6. Idukki

Idukki, a landlocked district of Kerala, is one of the most nature-rich areas in Kerala with more than half of the area covered with forest. This rugged hill resort is known for its wildlife sanctuaries, beautiful bungalows, tea factories, rubber plantations and forests. Idukki's speciality lies in 650 feet long and 550 feet high arch dam across the Kuravan Kurathi mountain, which is the largest in the country. Anamudi, which is the highest peak in India, south of the Himalayas, is also located in Idukki. Idukki is one of the districts in the state that has abundant scope for promotion of eco-tourism if proper infrastructure and promotional activities are provided.