Houseboat

Kettuvalloms or Houseboats (Rice boats) are country boats that were used in the early days for the transport of goods from the isolated interior villages to the towns. With the advent of roads, bridges and ferry services, gradually the Kettuvalloms went off the scene.

Now these kettuvalloms are back again as a major tourist attraction. A ride on a Kettuvallom is a fabulous way to explore the fascinating beauty of the backwaters.

A house boat is about 67 feet in length and has a width of around 13 feet in the middle. The materials that go into the making are all local and Eco friendly bamboo poles, coconut fiber ropes, bamboo mats, coir carpets etc. The main wood used is "Anjili". The house boats have fully furnished single and double rooms with sundeck, private balcony with comfortable chairs, kitchen and toilet with WC. In addition there is also separate rest room for the crew. Traditional lanterns are used as lights. The crew includes a chef and two oarsmen.

The cuisine is traditional Kerala flavor with the local specialties; delicious fish and prawns. There are single bedroom houseboats for two people and two bedroom houseboats for four people.

In the backwaters of Kerala, nature is in its most pristine and sublime form and can truly transcend you to unknown depths of comfort. A cruise on the houseboats of Brightwater is an experience that is a fine blend of tradition and modern luxury, making your holidays a unique Kerala Experience.

Willingdon Island - Cochin

Willingdon Island

Willingdon Island is a man-made island that was created in 1933, named after lord Willingdon a former British viceroy to India. Cochin harbor, Southern naval command, best hotels in the city, port trust head quarters, major trading centers etc are situated at Willingdon Island. 

The island is made by sand that was dredged while deepening the backwaters for the Cochin port. Sir Robert Bristow was the man that in charge of this endeavor.

Willingdon Island is connected to Kochi's mainland by road and the railway Venduruthy Bridge. 

When the British withdrew from India after independence in 1947, they left behind an indispensable and significant transport hub. During its short colonial tenure, the Wellingdon Island in Cochin handled almost one million tons of freight and by the year 1960, the traffic had almost doubled.

It is a major artificial port in India and serves as a major landmark in the Kochi city of Kerala. The Wellington Island also serves as a link between the city and some other seaports of the world.

Bolgatty Palace - Cochin

Bolgatty Palace

Bolgatty Palace is located on the island popularly known as Bolgatty Island in Cochin. Bolgaaty palace is built by the Dutch. One of the oldest existing Dutch palaces outside Holland, this quaint mansion, built in 1744 by Dutch traders.

The building was then the Governor palace for the commander of Dutch Malabar and later in 1909 was leased to the British. It served as the home of the British Governors, being the seat of the British resident of Cochin during the British regime.

In 1947, when India obtained independence, the palace became the property of the state and was later converted into a heritage hotel resort. It is encircled by a nine-hole golf course established in 1923.

Bolgatty Palace now has a swimming pool, Ayurvedic Centre and daily Kathakali performances and is a holiday destination for Indian and overseas tourists. 

Bolgatty Palace faces straight to the estuary of Vembanad backwaters and it is also close to the international marina. 

Thiruvanathapuram

Thiruvanathapuram

Thiruvanathapuram is the capital of the Kerala, the God’s own country. The Malayalam word Thiru- Anatha – Puram, it means the City of Lord Ananta. Thiruvanathapuram is built on seven hills by the sea shore. Reffered to by Mahatma Gandhi as the “Ever Green city of India”.

This city is characterized by its rolling lad of low coastal hills and busy commercial alleys. It is an IT hub of the state. Thiruvanathapuram was ranked as the best city in Kerala to live in by a recent Times of India survey.

Thiruvanathapuram lies on the shore of Karamana and Killi rivers. Vellayani, Thiruvallam and Aakkulam backwaters lies in the city.

Thiruvanathapuram is a tourist hot-spot for both international and domestic tourists. Being the capital of Kerala often known as God’s own country, Thiruvanathapuram is also called as God’s own Capital.

Ther are many tourist destinations in the city including Kovalam beach, Snaghumugham Beach, Napier Museum and Zoo, Agasthyarkoodam peak, Neyyar wild life sancturary and Neyyar Dam, Kuthira Malika Palace, Sree Padmanapha swamy Temple, Ponmudi, Poovar and many others.

Veli - Thiruvanathapuram

Veli

Veli is the most popular picnic destination in Thiruvanathapuram. It is situated 8 km away from the city centre and very close to the Thiruvanathapuram Airport.

The picturesque Veli Lagoon separated by a narrow sandbar from the Arabian Sea, this sandbar is the Veli Tourist Village complete with a waterfront park, floating bridge and great water sports facility. 

A major draw to Veli is the large inland lake separated from the ocean by a narrow sandbar. Set out on a sunset cruise into the Veli Lagoon and watch the water change color from bluish – green to burn orange. Enjoy the tranquil beauty of the lagoon and the Arabian Sea beyond on a pedal boat or row boat.

Fish ponds, wave pools, beautifully landscaped gardens enhance the ambience of the village, and make it look like a jewel, an emerald, on the shimmering waters of the Arabian Sea. 

The Veli Lagoon is famous for sunset boat rides. I visited here number of times with my friends, I enjoyed the beauty of the Veli is very much.

Shankumugham Beach - Thiruvanathapuram

Shankumugham Beach

The beach is located 8 km from Thiruvanathapuram city and is adjacent to the Thiruvanathapuram International Airport.

Shankumugham beach is a favorite spot of sunset watchers. Shankumugham beach is considered as the Arattukadavu of Sri Ananthapadmanabhan – the presiding deity of the city.

On the Arattu ay at Thiruvanathapuram images of Lord Padmanabhaswamy, Lord Narasimha and Lord Krishna are taken in procession to the Arabian Sea at Shankumugham Beach.  Shankumugham is the prime location for Ganesh Nimarjan at the time of Vinayaka Chathurthi.

The sculpture of Jalakanyaka of mermaid named as Matsya Kanya is an important attraction seen in Shankumugham beach. This giant statue is more than 32 meter long. The Sculpture with amazing architectural beauty captures all eyes of tourists. 

An indoor recreation club and Chacha Nehru traffic training park present in Shankumugham beach widens the tourists interest.  Another attraction one is a starfish shaped restaurant.

And also the Military airport of the Southern Air Command of the Indian Air force is situated at Shankumugham.

Varkala - Thiruvanathapuram

Varkala

Varkala is situated in South Kerala at North end boarder of Thiruvanathapuram district.  This beautiful beach destination is been ranked as one of the 10 top seasonal beaches in the world by Discovery Channel. Varkala beach is also known as Papanasam beach, it is a haven for sun-bathing and swimming. 

The evening views of the sunset are worth lingering over. Varkala is also an important Hindu centre of pilgrimage. The final resting place of the great social reformer, Sree Narayana Guru, is near Varkala, a top hill called Sivagiri. 

Kappil Lake is about 4 km north of Varkala Town, this serene estuary meanders through dense coconut groves before merging into the Arabian Sea. 

Anjengo Fort is near Varkala, it is a place of historic imortanat as well as beautiful natural setting. The beautiful Muthalapuzhi Lake is situated in Anjengo. 

Vakala Tunnel is a popular tourist highlight, it was a 924 ft long tunnel built in 1867. Vakala lighthouse is another tourist highlight in the vicinity. Ponnumthurut Island is a beautiful spot you can reach by cruise boat.

Kovalam- Thiruvanathapuram

Kovalam

Kovalam is situated 16 km away from the Thiruvanathapuram town. The meaning of Kovalam is “Groove of Coconut tree”.   Kovalam offers an excellent diversity with Kovalam beach to suit all desires and occasions. Three curve shaped beaches are alienated by stony outcroppings; all the bays are separated by rocks.  The Samudra beach, Kovalam beach, Hawa beach and the light house beach are what give Kovalam its beauty. Backed by precipitously mounting headlands and covered by fertile coconut palms, the beaches, especially the southernmost part of lighthouse beach. The sea port of Vizhinjam is about 3 km away and famous for its special varieties of fish. The proposed international Trans shipment at Vizhinjam.  The Kovalam is also famous for its Ayurvedic Massages and many yoga resorts. Kovalm is a beautiful tourist spot and tourists flock all year long but would advise not to visit during the Monsoon which starts from June to October. The tides are high and the shores are not safe for travelers.

Azhikode or munakkal beach

Azhikode or munakkal beach

Azhikode has a beach known as the munakkal beach. It has got the vast shore stretch around 3 km along the main beach side.  It is the main attraction of this village.Azhikode Old harbour situated on the shores Periyar (Kottapuram) river joins Arabian Sea, in Kodungallur Taluk.

 Azhikode was repeatedly eroded by tsunamis. The port that was situated in the old harbour was an important source of trade and commerce prior to British invasion.

 Azhikode is well connected by a series of canals. The famous Kodungallur Bhagavathy temple and Cheraman Juma Masjid is around 10 KM away from this place.

Fishing and tourism are the main sources of revenue in this region. Traditional boats are still used for fishing in this area. Chinese fishing nets are still deployed for fishing. This region also has abundant cultivation of coconut. Shrimp cultivation is another major industry that contributes to the economy in this region

Cherai Beach

Cherai Beach, a picturesque beach, located on the north-end of the Vypeen Island. Lined with luscious green coconut groves and paddy fields, this sandy beach is a unique combination of the sea and the backwaters, studded with seashells of various hues and shapes. Thick coconut groves and Chinese fishing nets on the waterfront are added attractions.

Located 35 km away from Cochin, in the Cherai village of the Ernakulam district, the Cherai beach is amongst the must-visit places for anyone touring these parts of South India. The Cherai beach is different from many beaches in the sense that it is very clean and shallow and thus, ideal for the purpose of swimming and sunbathing. 

Cherai beach is the golden beach of Kerala and is also famous by the name of 'Princess of the Queen of the Arabian Sea'. The main beach area has been newly added with the 400 meters long walkway. 

Occasionally, people also see Dolphins in the water. Cherai Beach is rightly considered as one of the most beautiful beaches in Kerala. There is also a park for children on the beach. Tourists and visitors can also ride the water-scooter and speedboats, which are available here on rent. There are also a number of lodges and hotels in this area where you can put up.

Vazhani Dam and Vadanappally beach

Vadanappilly Beach

Vadanappaly beach is situated 20 km away from the Thrissur Town. It is one of the good beaches in Kerala. It is an enchanting strip of golden sand laced with the rich greenery of coconut palms.

This clam and pleasant beach is a dreamy destination for tourists all over the world. 

Vazhani Dam

Vazhani dam is the biggest clay dams in Kerala with a length of 792.48 meters. It is situated 23 km away from the Thrissur. This water is used mainly for irrigation and drinking purposes.

This dam constructed of an earth dam built across the Vadakkancherry River. Vazhani dam and its garden is a splendid spectacular view. 

It is one of the tourist attractions of Thrissur district.