Cochin will make you come alive at the very first sight. It offers a wealth of history, art and culture to travellers. Shuffled in the hands of Maharajas, and colonial powers like the Portuguese, Dutch and British, the present Cochin is chequered with impressive colonial landmarks as well as contemporary ones.

The essence of Cochin lies in its pristine beauty and the beaches dotted with palm trees. Its culture, nature and hospitality will surly lure you in. Cochin offers you more than beautiful beaches with architectural gems like Bolghatty Palace and Fort Kochi. Uncovering Cochin through Onam, the banquet of Sadya, the Malayattoor Perunnal Festival, yoga, Ayurveda and Kerala spices at the Spice Market is a fascinating journey of discovery.

Cochin is the only place where Chinese fishing nets are used outside China. You'll see local fishermen braving the waves on coracles. More than the ways of the fishermen, the palaces and ruins left behind like the Hill Palace offer a glimpse of the splendour of Kochi. Visit the Dutch Palace and the nearby Jewish Synagogue which is famed for its Belgium chandeliers and Chinese tiles.

Deep in ancient history, the city will make you snap back to the present in a jiffy with dazzling shopping complexes and places, such as Veega Land, a water theme park, the largest in South India.

Cochin tempts you with a boat cruise in the backwaters against the idyllic backdrop of the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats. You can hire a ferryboat and row to Vypin Island from Mattancherry town to catch sight of dolphins making merry.

Cochin's diverse charms, and the relatively quiet, clean and rather conservative atmosphere set it apart from other cities. Don't be surprised if you take back more than a few unforgettable moments.

Draped over a hill, surrounded by tea plantations and backed by a splendid stretch of the Western Ghats, Munnar is a choice retreat in summer. Honeymooners frequent this hill station during all seasons for a taste of its cool and salubrious weather. The three rivers Madupetti, Nallathanni and Periavaru give Munnar its name, which means 'three rivers'. The Duke of Wellington's visit to Munnar in the 19th century put it on the map. Soon it acquired the status as a popular hill resort in south India and was nicknamed as Kerala's Scottish Highlands.

After enjoying the views from Echo Point or Top Station, take a short walk through tea plantations or go for a ride in a disco rickshaw. Lined with stalls selling tea, fruits and vegetables, the streets are crowded with people, cows and goats. Though most of the people are Tamilians, both Tamil and Malayalam are spoken.

The tribal colonies, where ancient customs are still practiced, are worth a visit. Attukal Pongala in February is their biggest event. Fort Munnar, a resort, hosts performances by tribals donning feathery headgear. Payippad Jalotsavam is when the excitement runs sky-high. It is the annual boat race held on Onam.

Picnicking at Anayirangal, looking out for the blue beauty, Neelakurinji (a flower that blooms every 12 years), watching pink dragonflies dancing around flowers, and practicing yoga at Chinnakanal Ayur Resort or Kaivalyam Retreat, fishing at Devikulam or High Range Club, or camping out at Hornbill or Anayirangal, there's lots to do in Munnar. And more, like trekking, cycling, kayaking, rafting, paragliding or a helicopter ride.

Wildlife enthusiasts can immerse themselves in lush greenery, sandalwood trees, sounds of animals, hidden streams, calls of birds and the myriad colours of flora. Oblivious to the world outside, the Eravikulam National Park, Thattekad (Salim Ali) Bird Sanctuary, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary and shola forests (Butterfly forests) are dense with animals like Mountain Goats, Bisons and Tigers.

With stunning greenery, rolling mists all around, and a nip in the air, it is easy to lose track of time.

It is said that Kerala's best kept secrets lie in the heart of Thekkady. A lush green oasis that sprawls across the Periyar Wildlife Reserve, this is where man and beast live as one. Snarling Tigers, screeching Crickets and naughty Langurs, the mysterious calm of the jungle is enough to tempt anyone who yearns to explore the wild. Thekkady is a naturalist's dream. With tea and spice plantations, it has lent much to Kerala's commerce as much as it has to its beauty. The incredible wildlife preserved in Periyar Tiger Wildlife Sanctuary today attracts naturalists and wildlife enthusiasts from around the world. Declared a tiger reserve in 1978, the Periyar Wildlife Reserve is one of the few reserves where one can catch sight of the endangered Royal Bengal Tiger that is fast dwindling in population. Shed your inhibitions and take a day off to enjoy a bamboo raft ride across the Periyar river, explore the forest at night, never knowing what is to come, and succumb to the temptation of traditional Kerala Fish Curry and Rice in every restaurant you visit.

Ride through the jungle on elephant back or make your way through the village on a bullock cart. Wild and raw, the countryside embraces you with warmth that is almost forgotten. On a longer day, visit the Mangala Devi Temple, a short distance from Thekkady town, or to its bustling cousin Kumily, known for its spice plantations. Peermade is another plantation town that lures people on that extended weekend in Thekkady. Cascading waterfalls, misty hilltops and plunging valleys of emerald green, let loose your wild side.

Visit the Tribal Heritage museum inside the Mannan settlement and explore artefacts from a lost generation. Finally, give in to the mellow breeze and soothe your mind as you enjoy an Ayurvedic massage, and let time stop at its tracks. Virgin and raw, Thekkady is for those who yearn to leave the world behind and retrace a journey back in time.

Kumarakom is not for the restless. It is for those who have time to spare for love, pleasure and languor. It is less about seeing and more about experiencing a way of life. The delicate yet perfect order in nature leaves you relaxed and in a state of bliss. Adding a zing to this idyllic locale are local delicacies, culture and architecture, houseboats and holistic Ayurvedic treatments.

Kumarakom that rose out of one of the largest freshwater lakes in Asia, Vembanad Lake, has come a long way from its humble beginning with a little help from the British missionary, Alfred George Baker, who cleared the area for rice cultivation, paddy fields and palms which soften the beauty of the landscape. A leisure holiday gem is what it is today. Let's find more about Kumarakom.

Feisty and idyllic, Kovalam can easily pass off as Goa's alter ego. With its picture perfect tropical beaches, swaying palms, crystal clear waters and a stony coastline, it is one of the most sought-after beach towns in India. Yet, few know that this coastal gem has a few secrets of its own. Once a small fishing village, Kovalam first caught the attention of the Maharaja of Travancore. Impressed by the ardent beauty of the lush coast, the king often spent all leisure time here, inviting many European friends who travelled to visit him. Needless to say, word spread. Soon after, in the 1970s, the hippies arrived and brought with them the free-spiritedness that overturned the sleepy hamlet into a paradise coast.

Give into life's simpler pleasures here; explore the palm-fringed expanse of Lighthouse beach and spend the day lounging on warm sands. Build a sandcastle. Let the waves gently cool your feet. Start your day early with an hour of meditation on Eve's beach, before you indulge in fresh seafood delicacies at a nearby cafe. Later, take in the view atop the old Lighthouse at the end of Lighthouse beach. Marvel at the wonders of Kerala's rustic countryside. Succumb to your senses and gorge on fluffy Appams, Fish Curry and Tiger Prawns before you head to Vizhinzam to take a ride into the cerulean Arabian Sea on a make-shift catamaran. If you are in town around Onam, make sure you find yourself a spot around Vellayani Lake to cheer strong oarsmen as they compete in the annual boat race. When tired, retire to the plush comfort of the resort or rejuvenate your senses at an Ayurvedic spa as the masseur works through your tired muscles.

At night, watch a Kathakali performance or enjoy listening to hits from the 80s as you dine beneath the stars. Wander and roam into little shops on the promenade, and indulge in bargain shopping for keepsakes to take home. Kovalam, for every reason, stands apart from what anyone envisions Kerala to be. It is neither stoic nor resilient, and embraces one and all with warmth that is so undeniably alluring, it is hard to not give in.