IndiaMuvattupuzhaAbout 35 km inland from Kochi, on the road to Munnar, is the town of Muvattupuzha. Don’t bother looking it up in your guidebook – it won’t feature. This isn’t somewhere with big sights or dramatic history. In fact, it’s not a tourist destination at all, which is exactly what we like about it. Overview Trip ideas Experiences Regions Best time to visit Accommodation Back to all places in Kerala & Tamil Nadu Muvattupuzha lies at the meeting point of three rivers, where palms trees lean out over languid waters and houseboats drift among the water hyacinths, surrounded by fields of pineapple, banana, coconut and black pepper. It’s a typical south Indian landscape: tropical and lovely, much like anywhere else in rural Kerala.What elevates Muvattupuzha above its neighbors is Indian Summer House. A luxurious retreat set in luscious, landscaped gardens, with an ayurvedic spa and beautiful outdoor pool, this place is worth going out of your way for. Once a traditional family home, it has been restored in absolutely stunning fashion by the family’s descendants. And it’s not just about the setting – as idyllic as that is. Your hosts are what really make the experience, taking you out by boat or bike to explore the local highlights – hidden temples, teahouses, toddy tapping and more.Muvattupuzha isn’t about the big stuff; it’s about getting to experience Keralan life at its most ordinary – which, for us, can be extraordinary. Other destinations in this region India CalicutA cultural crossroads, seaside Calicut is refreshingly un-touristy – despite having plenty to see and do, from medieval mosques to martial arts. India ChennaiYoung, vibrant and always in the throes of change, Chennai is one of India’s most exciting and creative cities — with some of the best street-food anywhere. India ChettinadA land of ghostly, abandoned mansions, like the ruins of a fairytale kingdom, Chettinad is one of the most spectacularly unexpected destinations in India. India Kannur & TellicherryThis charming, low-key corner of Kerala wouldn’t get much press if it weren’t for Theyyam: a Hindu festival unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. India Kerala backwatersKerala’s pride and joy, the backwaters offer mile upon mile of jungle-fringed paradise, where life is slow, water is king, and everything happens by boat. India KochiIndia’s coolest and most progressive state capital, Kochi feels like a European city transplanted to the palm-fringed Keralan coast. India KumbakonamPaddy fields, betel farms and coconut groves provide a picture-perfect backdrop for experiencing village life in rural south India. India Madurai‘The Soul of Tamil Nadu’, ‘The Athens of the East’, ‘The city that never sleeps’ – Madurai is one of the oldest cities in India, and it has collected its fair share of epithets over the years. India MahabalipuramWorld Heritage temples combine with sand, surf and backpacker vibes to make Mahabalipuram a beach break with a difference. India MarariArguably the best beach destination in Kerala, with golden sands, glittering seas, and plenty of laid-back south Indian charm. India MunnarEnjoy old-world luxury in a plantation bungalow, surrounded by the emerald-green tea fields and mist-cloaked mountains of Munnar. India NeeleshwarTucked away in the north, Neeleshwar is a proper tropical paradise, with some of the best beaches and backwaters in Kerala. Load More