Fondly known as ‘God’s own country’ by the locals, the region of Kerala is an excellent choice for anyone considering a holiday in India. To the east of the region are the Western Ghats, a towering mountain range, and to the west is the Arabian Sea. The name Kerala means ‘land of coconuts’ and the state is full of shady palm trees. The beach at Kovalam is widely regarded as the best in India, and the region’s combination of lush rivers (popular for houseboat tours), greenery, exotic wildlife and traditional culture combine to create a unique atmosphere and a fantastic holiday experience.

The weather here is tropical, with summer temperatures ranging from 24 to 33 degrees Celsius and winter temperatures from 22 to 32 degrees. The capital is Trivandrum, and along with the widely spoken Malayalam, English is spoken throughout the region. If you are travelling by air, you can fly into one of the international airports at Kochi or Trivandrum, or Kozhikode. Trivandrum itself is one of the region’s most popular destinations, with excellent picnic spots in the wooded highlands of the Western Ghats, and a lovely coastline to explore.

In terms of the food you can expect to enjoy while holidaying in Kerala, most of the region’s restaurants offer a wide range of local and international cuisine, from European food to Chinese and American. Many of the restaurants here also offer some of the region’s delicious delicacies.

With so much on offer in this diverse and wonderful region, it is no surprise Kerala is one of India’s most popular destinations. The region is particularly popular for honeymoons. Just some of the huge number of activities you can enjoy here are watersports, elephant rides, sampling the cashew nuts produced at Kollam; yoga sessions, watching fireworks, and scenic train tours. If you are looking for a holiday destination where you can really unwind, then your search is well and truly over.