The cosmopolitan city with its ancient history of maritime trade is fascinating in so many ways - the beautiful natural harbour with Chinese fishing nets and sea-side stalls selling seafood; Fort Kochi with a mix of Dutch, British, Muslim and Portuguese architecture; and the older city of Ernakulam steeped in Malayali culture. From Kochi they drove on to Kottayam, the heart of Syrian Christian culture, and then to the beautiful plantations of Pala, where life seemed to be in a time-warp.

ATTRACTIONS & ACTIVITIES

Mattancherry Palace - Gifted to the Maharaja of Kochi by the Portuguese, and later re-decorated by the Dutch, this place has a gorgeous collection of antiques, paintings, textiles, furniture and royal bric-a-brac.

Paradesi Synagogue - the oldest Jewish temple in India, this little synagogue has a brilliant brass pulpit, antique hanging lamps and gold and silver religious scrolls.

St Francis Church - this simple church is again one of the oldest European-built churches in India.

Hill Palace - This was the residence of the Cochin maharaja and is now a wonderful museum with a rich collection of sculpture, antique furniture, house-hold items, royal costumes, jewellery and more. It also has the model of a typical ancient Hindu Kerala home.

Bolgatty Palace - now a renovated hotel, this was a palatial mansion where the British Resident stayed - it is worth a visit to take in the ambience of the building and the lovely Bolgatty Island.

This city is the intellectual hub of Kerala. It is surrounded by the backwater region on one side and the misty rubber plantations beyond. Although the city itself is dusty and crowded, you should explore it to experience Kerala culture, taste the wonderful Syrian Christian food and then drive on to the plantation area, Pala, 27km from Kottayam. Pala is a sleepy plantation town at the foot of the mountains surrounded by rubber estates. It has some of the most beautiful wooden mansions built in the typical Syrian Christian style. Pala is also one of the oldest centres of Christianity in Kerala.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Valia Palli and Cheria Palli - these are two churches from the 16^th century with beautiful alters and colourful murals painted on the walls. The cross at the alter of Valia Palli is said to have come from the original church founded by St Thomas in Kodungallur.

Kumarakom - the backwater hot spot is 12 km from Kottayam; also check-out the Kumarakom bird sanctuary on the banks of the Vembanad Lake.

Shiva Temple of Ettumanur – to the north of Kottayam - this temple has exquisite murals and sculptures.

Poonjar Palace -situated on the banks of the Mennachil River, this is worth visiting for its interesting architecture.

St Mary's Forane Church - this was originally built in 345 AD, but the facade and building were re-built in the 1960s.