Also known as Cochin, Kochi is a city in southwest India's coastal Kerala state. This attractive city has served as a popular port for over 600 years and is known for its eclectic architecture and its array of religious monuments, museums, galleries, cafes, and antique shops. The city stretches across several peninsulas and islands, which can be reached by a network of water taxis and bridges. The majority of Kochi’s visitor highlights can be found on Fort Kochi's peninsula. These highlights include the St Francis Church, the oldest European-built church in India; and Mattancherry Palace, which dates back to 1557 and harbours some exceptional Kerala murals and temple art. Other must-see attractions include the Kerala Folklore Museum, which has on display more than 4,000 cultural and ethnic artifacts; the 16th-century Jewish Synagogue; and the local market, where the air is suffused with the aroma of exotic spices.
Situated on the tip of the Indian continent, Thiruvananthapuram is the bustling capital of India's 'green' state, Kerala and a gateway to the southern states. A tourist-centred metropolis, Thiruvananthapuram is rich in cultural heritage and can be easily distinguished by its British colonial architecture and plethora of art galleries. Included among the most impressive architectural gems is the 260-year-old Padmanabhaswamy temple, with its glittering, 30-metre, seven-tier eastern gateway. For those seeking a chance to soak up the sun, Thiruvananthapuram is only a stone's throw away from some of India's most beautiful beaches. Don't forget to visit the Zoological Gardens and museums where Yann Martel researched for his book Life of Pi, by studying the behaviour of Simba, Thiruvananthapuram zoo's disabled lion.
