Dutch Palace, also known as Mattancherry Palace is a Portuguese palace located in Mattancherry locality of Kochi. Situated near Jewish Synagogue, it is one of the famous heritage sites in Kerala, The Mattancherry Palace was built around 1545 CE by the Portuguese and gifted to the King of Cochin Veera Kerala Varma in the year 1555 CE. The Portuguese influence was further supplanted by the Dutch, who took over Mattancherry in 1663. The Dutch then carried out some extensions and renovations in 1663, and since then the palace was popularly known as the Dutch Palace. The palace was included in the ‘tentative list’ of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.Considered as one of the top Kochi tourist attractions, the Mattancherry Palace is one of the finest examples of the Kerala style of architecture interspersed with colonial influences. It is famous for its long and spacious halls along with its central courtyard. In the courtyard there stands a small temple dedicated to ‘Pazhayannur Bhagavati’, the protective goddess of the Kochi royal family. There are two more temples on either side of the Palace, one dedicated to Lord Krishna and the other to Lord Siva. The Dining Hall has a carved wooden ornate ceiling decorated with a series of brass cups. The palace also contains rare examples of traditional Kerala flooring, which looks like polished black marble but is a mixture of burned coconut shells, charcoal, lime, plant juices, and egg whites.Today, it is a portrait gallery of the Cochin Rajas and notable for some of the best mythological murals in India. These murals depict some of the great Indian epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata along with revered Gods of the Hindu faith like Lord Krishna of Guruvayur Temple. The great works of Sanskrit poet Kalidasa have also been depicted. These murals have been painted in rich warm colors in the tempera technique.Portraits of the Rajas of Cochin, from 1864 onwards, are displayed in the Coronation Hall of the palace. The ceiling of the hall is decorated with floral designs in woodcraft. Amongst the other exhibits in the palace are an ivory palanquin, a howdah, royal umbrellas, ceremonial dress used by the royalty, coins, stamps, and drawings.

Fort Kochi Beach, or Kochi Beach is a pristine beach located on the coast of the Arabian Sea in Kerala. Also called as Mahatma Gandhi Beach, it is one of the finest beaches in Kerala, Often known as the ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’, Fort Kochi Beach is a serene beach that offers a scenic view and natural beauty to its visitors. With its pristine water and tranquil ambiance, it is extremely admired by tourists and local people as well. The main attraction of this beach is the historic fort, which is the perfect example of European architecture. The presence of the Chinese fishing nets is probably the most easily identifiable one. The trees and the greenery on the walkway to the beach add to the serene atmosphere there. The beach also offers a breathtaking view of the sunset.

Tea Museum is a wonderful place to visit in Munnar town. The museum is owned by Kannan Devan Hills Plantations Limited owned by Tata Group. Visit to Tea Museum is one of the top things to do in Munnar.The museum exhibits different equipment used in tea manufacturing from early 20th century to late 20th century. Some of the items exhibited in the museum include the tea leave cutting machines, power making equipment, etc. The process of tea manufacturing is also explained in the museum.

Munnar Market, also known as Munnar Town Market, is a great place to experience the vibrant atmosphere of Munnar. It’s a treasure trove for souvenir hunters and anyone looking to get a taste of local life.

The market is a maze of small shops selling a wide variety of items, including:

• Tea: Munnar is famous for its tea plantations, so be sure to pick up some fresh, loose-leaf tea.
• Spices: Kerala is a major spice producer, so you’ll find a wide variety of spices at the market, including cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and pepper
• Coffee: Coffee is another popular product in Munnar. You can find freshly roasted coffee beans and ground coffee.
• Ayurvedic products: Kerala is known for its Ayurvedic medicine, a traditional system of medicine that originated in India. You’ll find a variety of Ayurvedic products at the market, such as soaps, creams, and oils.
• Handicrafts: The market is a great place to find souvenirs, such as wooden handicrafts, handloom textiles, and jewelry.
• Fresh produce: You can also find fresh fruits, vegetables, and flowers at the market.

Mattupetty Dam is a storage Concrete Gravity dam situated on Top Station Road in Munnar. experience the beauty of Munnar along with boating.Constructed in 1953, Mattupetty Dam was constructed under the Pallivasal Hydro-electric project for water conservation and power generation. Now the dam is a vital source of electricity generation in Munnar and also a haven for many wild animals and birds due to its constant water availability.

The most attractive part of Mattupetty Dam is its still water which reflects the tea garden around. Visitors can engage themselves with water sport activities like speed boating organized by the District Tourism Promotion Council of Idukki (Munnar) and enjoy the pretty natural surroundings of this beautiful dam,Adventure lovers also have options here like trekking in the Shola forest.The lake and dam surrounded by wooded hills and tea plantations make a great view. Boating in Mattupetty Lake is a memorable experience. Often, elephants from surrounded forests take bath in the waters of the lake, and watching them (while boating) is a pleasant experience. This place is also famous for Eucalyptus Oil, which is sold near the dam. Mattupetty is also famous for its highly specialized dairy farm, an Indo-swiss project.

Boat Cruise is the best mode in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary to watch the wildlife from a close distance. Boating in Periyar Lake is arranged by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) and is one of the most popular things to do in Thekkady. The lake was formed by Mullaperiyar Dam constructed in 1895. The land surrounding the lake is commonly frequented by wildlife.Elephants are the most common wildlife you can see on the shores of the reservoir while boating in the lake. Apart from Elephants, the sight of Wild Boar and Sambar Deer is also possible. The upper deck in the boat is best for wildlife viewing. The tickets for boating is issued at Thekkady Boating Point which is 4.5 Km from Kumily Bus Stand. The boats are mostly crowded and better to come early and allocate a good amount of buffer time for boating. Early morning and evening are the best times to spot wildlife.

Thekkady is famed for its spice plantations, which blanket the hills surrounding the Periyar National Park. These lush gardens offer a captivating glimpse into the world of spices, where you can witness a diverse array of plants that flavor our food. Here are a few popular spice gardens you can visit:

• Periyar Spice and Ayurvedic Garden: This garden boasts a wide array of spices like cardamom, pepper, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, and even medicinal herbs like aloe vera and lemongrass. They also have a collection of orchids and flowers, making for a beautiful and fragrant explorationPeriyar Spice and Ayurvedic Garden Thekkady
• Abraham’s Spice Garden: This garden offers a guided tour where you’ll gain valuable knowledge about the various spices grown there, their cultivation process, and traditional uses in Indian cuisine and medicine.Abraham’s Spice Garden Thekkady
• Green Park Spices Thekkady: This garden allows you to witness a wide variety of spice plants alongside fruit trees and medicinal herbs. They also have a shop selling fresh spices and local handicraftsGreen Park Spices Thekkady