The capital city of Kerala - is a delightful, sleepy city. A city that's equally calm and bustling as well as old and modern. Surrounded by the peaceful green of coconut palms and the mystery of gabled pagoda roofed traditional buildings. Here you can visit museums and art galleries, tour royal palaces and the magic of secluded beaches, lush hill stations and calm backwaters.
Places of Interest :

Padmanabhaswamy Temple : The temple is located inside the EastFort, dedicated to Lord Vishnu; the temple is a blend of the Kerala and Dravadian style of architecture . The imposing seven storied tower make it by far the most impressive landmark around the city.There are inumerable pillars, intricate carvings and mural paintings.
There are inumerable pillars, intricate carvings and mural paintings.There are inumerable pillars, intricate carvings and mural paintings. The presiding deity is Lord Vishnu reclaiming on serpant Anantha.
Location: Near East Fort.
Padmanabhapuram Palace : The seat of the erstwhile rulers of Travancore, this splendid palace situated at Thuckalai, on the way to Kanyakumari.This is a well preserved wooden structure, a glorious testimony of the traditional kerala school of architecture. The extra ordinary murals, exquisite floral carvings and the black glossy granite floor have withstood the best of time. Location: 61km from Tvm, at Thuckalay.

Kuthiramalika Palace : The Palace was built by Maharaja Swathi Thirunal Balaramavrma-the King of Travancore, who was a great poet musician, social reformer and statesman.This rare specimen of workmanship in the traditional Travancore collection of architecture also has exquisite wood carvings. The Palace museume displays paintings and various priceless collection of the royal family.

Location: Situated near East Fort.
Timings: 08 30 to 17 30 hrs.Closed on Mondays.
Musuem Complex : The musuem complex consisting of the Art and Natural History museums, Sri Chithra Art gallery, and the zoological and botanical gardens. It is situated on a beautiful landscaped 80-acre plot in the heart of the city.
Timings: 10 00 to 17 00 hrs. Closed on Mondays and Wednesday afternoons. Zoo is closed only on Mondays.
Science and Technology Museum Complex : The exhibits here are related to science, technology and electronics.
Timings: 10 00 to 17 00 hrs. Closed on Mondays.

Kanakakunnu Palace : The Palace and its sprawling grounds are today the venue for many cultural meets and programmes.
Location: Near Museum.
Veli Tourist Village : An ideal picnic spot where the lake merges with the sea. The wading pool, gardens, exquisite sculptures, floatingbridge and aquasports facilities are some of the attractions.
Location: 9 km from Tvm.
Akkulam Boat Club : A tranquil picnic spot on the banks of Akkulam lake. Lacing on the cool banks or boating on the placid waters are good ways to spend a holiday. There is also a children's park.
Location: 3 km from Ulloor.

Thiruvallam : This serene backwater stretch, enroute to Kovalam, is famous for its canoe rider. A temple dedicated to Parashurama, the legendry founder of Kerala is located here.
Location: 10 km from Tvm.

Neyyar Dam : A popular picnic spot and a dam site, Neyyar dam has a watch tower, crocodile farm, lion safari park. Boating facilities are available at rservoir.
Facilities for mountaineering is also available.
Location: 32 km hour from Tvm.

Kovalam : One of the most picturesque streches of sandy beach in the world. A ravishing tropical beach that has been attracting travellers from the world over with its bewetching, unspoilt beauty. The dream-like tranquility at Kovalam relieves you of stress and fatigue. Kovalam is perhaps the most famous of beaches where you will experience the bliss of solitude. Kovalam consists of three adjacent crescent beaches. The southern most, known as the light house beach, is the most popular.
Accessibility: 16 km from Tvm.

Varkala : Varkala is a sea side resort and spa, as well as an important Hindu centre of pilgrimage.This important pilgrim centre is soon catching on as a popular bech destination. The uniqe cliff tops provide a sweeping view of the fantastic seascape below. The 2000 year old Sree Janardhana Swamy Temple and the nature care centre are the two main attractions here.
Accessebility: 40 km hours from Tvm
Shanghumugham : This is a favourite haunt of sunset watchers. The beach is ajdacent to the Trivandrum airport and Veli tourist village.
Accessibility: 8 km from Tvm.

Cochin

"The Queen of Arabian Sea" is the commercial capital and the most cosmopolitan city of Kerala. Cochin is a fascinating blend of cultures. A city that's home to numerous old synagogues, temples, churches, spice markets and one of the finest natural harbours in the world.
In and around Cochin are several sites of monumental value. But the old world charm is best retained in Fort Cochin, Mattanchery and Trippunithura.The Chinese fishing nets, the Jewish Synagauge, the Dutch Palace, the Portuguese and British architecture...... All finely fuse with the rich heritage of land.

Places of Interest :

Hill Palace museumes : Hillpalace, the official residence of the erstwhile Kochi royal family, was built in 1865. The complex consists of 49 buildings in the traditional architectural style of Kerala and is surrounded by 52 acres of terraced land with a deer park. A full-fledged ethno-archeolagical museume and Kerala's first ever heritage museume are the main attractions. Displayed inside the thirteen gallaries are oil paintings, 19th century paintings, murals, sculptures in stone and plaster of paris, manusripts, inscriptions and coins from the royal collections.
Accessibility: 13 km from Ekm.
Timings: 0900 to 1730 hrs. Closed on Mondays.

Cochin Museum : Collections of 19 th century oil paintings, old coins sculpture, in stone and plaster of paris, copies of mural paintings etc..Collections from Cochin Royal Family are also among them.
Timings: 0930 to 1200 hrs & 15 00 to 1730 hrs. Closed on mondays
Museum of Kerala History : The museum showcases historical episodes from the neolithic to the modern era through life size figures. Light'n sound shows are regularly organised with regularly organised with commentaries in English and Malayalam.There is also a gallary of paintings and sculptures, displaying over 200 original works by contemporary Indian artists.The Centre for Visual Arts has a collection of the authentic reproduction of selected world masters and also larger-than-life mural reproductions of Indian art.
Location: 8 km from Ekm, at Edappally.
Timings: 10 00 to 17 00 hrs. Closed on Mondays.

Bolgatty : A narrow palm-fringed island easily easily accessible from the main land where the Bolgatty Palace is situated.This tropical island is famous for its palace of the same name. The Bolgatty Palace was built in 1744 by the Dutch and later taken over by the British. Now it has been converted into a hotel by the KTDC, with a small golf course and a special honeymoon cottages.

Willingdon Island : Named after Lord Willingdon, a British Viceroy to India. This man made island is surrounded by beautiful backwaters. The island is the site of the city's best hotels, customs and trading centres, the port trust and the headquarters of the southern Naval Command.

Fort Kochi : Fort kochi, the most historic part of the city which rests along the Arabian sea is a delightful blend of British, Portuguese, and Dutch influences. An obscure fishing village that became the first European township in India and one of the most glorious cities in it's history. Kochi has an eventful and colourful history. The town was shaped by the Portuguese, the Dutch and later the British.
The Bishop House, Old Harbour house, FortI mmanuel, Bastion Bunglow, Thakkur House, The United Club, The Cochin club, David hall, Parade Ground, Koder House, Pierce Leslie Bunglow, Vasco House, VOC Gate, The Dutch Cemetery are other attractions in Fort Kochi. A leisurely walk through the city is the best way to discover the historic Fort Kochi.

Jewish Synagogue : Built in 1565, this is the oldest synagogue in the Commonwealth. The great scrolls of the Old Testament, copper plates in which the grant of privilages made by the Cochin rulers were recorded, a clock tower, Hebrew inscriptions on stone slabs, the exquisite handpainted tiles and Belgium Chandaliers are of interest. The area around the Synagogue is a centre of spice trade and curio shop.
Location: At Mattancherry.
Timings: 10 00 to 12 00 hrs & 15 00 to 17 00 hrs.

Dutch Palace : Built by the Portuguese and presented to the Cochin Raja in 1555. The glory of Palace lies in the murals which are in the best traditions of the Hindu temple art. There are scenes from the Indian epics- Ramayana and Mahabharatha.
Location: At Mattancherry.
Timings: 10 00 to 17 00 hrs. Closed on Fridays & national holidays.

Santa Cruz Basalica : This historic church was built by the Portuguese and elevated to a cathedral by pope 4in 1558. In 1795 it fell in to the hands of the British when they tookover Kochi, and was demolished. Over a hundred years later Bishop Dom Gomez Ferreira commissioned a new building at the same site in 1887. The church was proclaimed a Basalica in 1984 by Pope John Paul 2.
Location: At Fortkochi.

St.Francis church : Built in 1503 by Portuguese Franciscan friars, this is India's oldest Europian church. It was was restored in 1779 by the Protastant Dutch, converted to an Anglican church by the British in 1795 and is presently used by the Church of South India. Vasco da Gama was burried here in 1524 before his remaines were moved to Libson, Portugal. The tomb stone still remains.
Location: At Fortkochi.

Cherai Beach : one of the Best beaches of Kerala, is just 30 km.s from Kochi, the business capital of Kerala and is just 20 K.m.s from Kochi International Air Port. It is on the northern end of Vypin Island. The 15 Km.s of long golden Beach is very clean, shallow and pacific and evokes irresistible temptation for swimming and sunbathing. Dolphins are occasionally seen here.

Chinese Fishing Net : This huge cantilevered fishing nets were brought here by traders from the court of Kublai Khan. The best place to watch the nets being lowered in to the sea and catch being brought in is the Vasco Da Gama Square, a narrow prominade that runs along the beach.

VeegaLand : Situated on the top of greenary hill it is the biggest amusement park in South India . The main attractions are the biggest musical fountain in India, clean and clear water, 21 exciting water rides, Amusement and rides for all ages etc.
Location: 12 km from Ekm, at Pallikkara

Calicut

Places of Interest :

Pazhassi Raja Museum : The Pazhassi Raja Museum of the Archeological Dept is located at East Hill. Copies of ancient mural paintings, antique bronzes and old coins are on display. Models of temples, megalthic monuments like dolmonoid cysts, umbrella stones etc. are also exhibited.
Location: 5 km from Kozhikode.

Art Gallery & Krishnamenon Museum : Situated adjacent to Pazhassiraja Museum, paintings of Raja Ravi Varma and Raja Raja Varma are among the collections here. The musuem has a section dedicated to V.K. Krishna Menon. The personal belongings of great leader and various souvenier presented by world leaders are exhibited here.
Location: 5 km from kozhikode

Mananchira : At the heart of the city, the palace tank of king Mana-Vikrama is an archetectural wonder. The musical fountain inside the maiden and the meticulously landscaped lawns surrouneded by traditional buildings in the Kerala style, fascinate visitors.
SM Street : Sweet Meat Street is busiest street in Kozhikode and derives its name from the times when the street was lined with sweetmeat stalls.

Kirtads : This uneque museum housesthe tools and devices used by the ancient tribal communities of Kerala. A good library with books on Anthropology and Sociology is an added attraction.
Location: 7 km from Kozhikode.

Baypore : Located at the mouth of the Chaliyar river, Baypore, is one of the prominent ports of and fishing harbours of ancient Kerala was an important trade and maritime centre. Ancient Baypore was much sought after by merchants from Western Asia, for its ship building industry.
Location: 10 km from Kozhikode.

Lokanarkavu Temple : This temple, associated with the heroes heroines of the Vadakkanpattu combines an arresting simplicity and a legendary aura. The candid murals and carvings here are a delight to art lovers.
Location: 5 km from Vadakara.

Kappadu : This is the historic beach where Vasco da Gama landed on 27th of May 1498. With plenty of sun and sea, a lavish dash of history and a delicious sprinkling of ayurveda, Kappadu is quiet an irresistable fare for the beach lovers.
Accessibility: 14 km from kozhicode