Local Area Overview :

India is a land of diversity, with rich green forests, cool mountains, beautiful unspoilt beaches and hot desert and is home for people of different faiths and religion. It is a country with an abundance of natural resources and a rich cultural heritage.

Blessed with one of the finest natural harbours in the world, Cochin has long been a centre of commerce and trade with the British, Arabs, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch and more, thereby making it the commercial capital and the most cosmopolitan city in Kerala. Cochin, an all-time tourist favourite, offers everything from beaches and palaces to old churches, museums and Kathakali (an ancient art form), plus the convenience of a modern city. The Portuguese, the Dutch and later the British shaped Fort Kochi, an obscure fishing village, into the first European township in India, thereby giving it an eventful and colourful history where the cultural influences are still to be seen in the many examples of Indo-European architecture. A leisurely walk around the area is the best way to discover this quaint town.

Local sightseeing includes historic areas such as Fort Cochin (St Francis Church) and Mattancherry (Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue, Jewish Quarter) where guests can experience the multicultural heritage of Cochin. Shopping in Cochin mainly comprises handmade gold jewellery, cotton and silk textiles, spices, antiques and handicrafts. The Concierge can help organise sightseeing and shopping trips. Day trips can also be organised to places close by such as Alleppey, Kuttanad and Kumarakom (famed for its backwaters) and Munnar (tea estates).

Experience the intricate lifestyle of the myriad waterways of Kerala on a sunset cruise or a day cruise of the Meridien backwaters. Our concierge can arrange a visit to the wildlife sanctuaries filled with the elephants and wildlife population that Kerala is famous for.

Be sure to enjoy a performance of the Kathakali, Mohaniyattam, or Kalaripattu dance – visible art forms of the Keralites passion for art and culture.