THINGS THAT MAKE KERALA PERFECT FOR A HOLIDAY

THINGS THAT MAKE KERALA PERFECT FOR A HOLIDAY

Kerala is an incredible destination that attracts people from all walks of life. Furthermore, it offers so much for families. Kerala promises an exuberantly lively and amusing vacation with a bunch of surprises and loads of entertainment for the whole family. What's more! Kerala is a child-friendly spot where kids can enjoy a great deal. So, why not plan a family trip to Kerala for your next vacation?

Here are the things that make Kerala perfect for a family holiday. Get inspired and plan a trip with your family to Kerala.

1) Vibrant Cultural Heritage

The cultural heritage of Kerala is centuries old. This rich and vibrant cultural heritage has a great influence in making Kerala an extraordinary place to visit. The scenic beauty, lifestyle, tradition, authentic cuisine, and the heartwarming hospitality of Keralites will be a whole new experience to explore. The traditional art forms of Kerala like Kathakali, Mohiniyattam and the martial art form Kalaripayattu, as well as the festivals that are celebrated with great pomp and grandeur, can be enjoyed together with the family. Onam is the most colourful and vibrant festival celebrated by Keralites all over the world. A visit to Kerala during the Onam Season is obviously a delightful experience. Homes decorated with beautiful designs and patterns made out of flowers is a visual treat. Thrissur Pooram is a world-renowned temple festival worth watching. The spectacular fireworks and the elephant parade worth an event to experience. The ethnic wears like saree for women and mundu for men are an integral part of Kerala culture. The unique and magnificent architecture of Kerala is praise-worthy.

2) Religious Monuments

Pay a visit to the religious monuments to add a spiritual vibe to your family vacation. Kerala is home to some of the most marvelous temples, churches and mosques that co-exist harmoniously. The unique architecture of these religious monuments designed by talented artists is indeed a sight to behold. It's a great spiritual experience to start off your family trip with the blessings of Lord Anantha at the Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Trivandrum. It is renowned as the richest temple in the world. The peaceful ambience of the temple is unmatched elsewhere. Sabarimala Sree Ayyappa Temple, Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna Temple, Guruvayoor Sree Krishna Temple, Ettumanoor Siva Temple and Mannarasala Nagaraja Temple are some of the famous temples in Kerala. It is believed that St. Thomas, one of the 12 Apostles of Jesus Christ has visited Kerala and has set up seven and a half churches here. Saint Thomas Church Malayattoor, St. Andrews Forane Church, Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica, St. Mary’s Church Champakulam, Our Lady of Dolours Basilica are some of the famous churches in Kerala worth for a visit. Beemapally Mosque, Pazhayangadi Mosque, Cheraman Juma Masjid, Jamaat Mosque, Kanjiramattom mosque, Malik Dinar Mosque, Nainar Mosque, Odathil Mosque, Palayam Mosque, are some of the prominent mosques of Kerala.

3) Houseboat

Cruising the backwaters in a houseboat and overnight stay is one of the life-changing experience in Kerala. A glance of this luxurious floating resorts is just enough to excite the kids. Skimming through the backwaters amidst swaying coconut and palm groves with the glimpse of the rural village life is a spellbinding experience that can’t be replaced by anything else. The blue-green contrast of the backwaters and the surroundings is something perfect to capture in your lens. The delicious meal served in banana leaf onboard is a flavorsome experience on the backwaters. The traditional Kerala cuisine includes a variety of vegetable dishes, seafood and meat delicacies. You can even go fishing and the boat staff will prepare lip-smacking fish dishes with the freshly-caught fish. Some of the most special Kerala non-vegetarian recipes served onboard that are cherished by numerous people across the world are Karimeen Fry, Varal Roast, Konju Pollichethu, Chemmeen Thoran, Tharavu(Duck) Roast, Kappa and Fish Curry, Pepper Fried Chicken, etc. All together Houseboat experience is fabulous and is a great opportunity to spend some quality time with your family and kids in the midst of natural sceneries. Alleppey is the most picturesque backwater destination in Kerala where the tourist prefer to visit again and again. Offering the most exquisite view along with lots of fascinating multi-colored bird species makes your day memorable at the Kumarakom backwater destination. Cruising along the Kuttanad backwaters with the view of flourishing green paddy fields leave you fascinated.

4) Beach

Beaches of Kerala are so welcoming. The long stretch of palm-lined beaches offers a visual treat for everyone. The soothing breeze, pleasant weather, golden sand and the rolling waters of the sea add to its beauty. Beach activities and water sports like flying kites, beach volleyball, football, parasailing, windsurfing etc are the things that make the kids happy and entertained at the Kerala beaches. You can enjoy lip-smacking seafood at the same time as you enjoy the beach ambience. Kerala houses a number of beaches that shows uniqueness in their own way. The endless rows of coconut trees and the black rocky cliff adorns the Kovalam Beach. Alleppey Beach is known for its picturesque setting while the Varkala beach is known for its ruby red cliff setting. The serene and peaceful ambience of the Marari Beach makes it a romantic paradise. The Muzhappilangad Beach being the longest drive-in beach in India is a bonanza for beach bums who are crazy riders too.

5) Hill Station

Visiting the hill station is the best part of a mesmerizing trip and if it is with your family and kids, the experience is beyond compare. Strolling along the emerald tea gardens and posing for some amazing photos with the backdrop of lush green tea gardens and snow-capped blue mountains makes for some memorable moments. Chilling cool breeze and a cup of hot tea in the view of verdant hills is nothing less than perfect. And the kids will have a great time frolicking the tea gardens. The surreal hill stations offer panoramic vistas of the surroundings and give you a relaxing break from your hasty daily routine. Munnar, Wayanad and Vagamon are the most frequented hill stations of Kerala loved by nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts. Trekking through the winding roads with the visual extravaganza of the sceneries and cascading waterfalls clearly cast a spell on you. Homemade chocolates, fresh tea leaves and fresh aromatic spices can be purchased from these hill stations.

6) Abounding Wildlife

Kerala offers a plethora of wildlife with a wide variety of plant species, animals, birds, butterflies and so much more. The opportunity to visit the wildlife sanctuaries and national park where one can spot the animals in their own natural habitat, shouldn't miss at any cost. The wildlife safari, eagerness to catch a glimpse of the wild animals and at last spotting them is an entirely different experience for the kids that they enjoy to the fullest. Nothing is as special as spotting an elephant. If you are lucky enough, you can spot herds of elephants along with their young ones. Kids can have a memorable time feeding and bathing baby elephants at the Kodanand elephant training centre, a rare experience ever get. Exploring the jungles on the top of the elephant make you feel exhilarated. Thekkady or Periyar is the best-known wildlife sanctuary in Kerala. It is known for its Tiger Reserve. Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Thattekad Wildlife Sanctuary, Eravikulam National Park, Silent Valley National Park, Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary are some of the wildlife sanctuaries of Kerala.

7) Dams

Kerala is busy promoting Hydel tourism. Kerala is blessed with 44 rivers and has a total of 33 dams and reservoirs. Dams are truly magnificent to look at and the panoramic vistas it offers leave you to spellbind. It is always an ideal attraction to add it to your family trip. Being the largest reservoir of Kerala, Malampuzha Dam is a picture-perfect location, situated on the foothills of the Western Ghats. The green ambience, rock gardens, ropeway, over and above that the amusement park attracts the attention of kids. It is a great option for you to relax at the same time easier to manage the kids, as they will have their own time playing and enjoying at the park. The mesmerizing sunrise and sunset view from the Idukki dam is something that words cannot explain. It is regarded as one of the highest Arch Dam in Asia. The Mullaperiyar Dam reservoir is home to a large variety of animals like Indian elephant, Indian bison and Indian wild dog. The Neyyar Dam is so enchanting that it is a must visit for nature lovers. The Banasura Sagar Dam which is the largest earthen dam in India is the best attraction to visit. The Ponmudi Dam is another scenic dam to visit in Kerala. The Mattupetty Dam is one of the hydel tourism spots in Kerala. The Boothanthankettu Dam is a unique dam sight for nature lovers to experience.

8) Historical Monuments

Kerala is a land of abundant historical monuments. These historical monuments foretell the glorious past of Kerala. The magnificent forts, palaces and architectural monuments truly manifest the rich cultural heritage of Kerala. Each monument gives an insight into the royal dynasties of Kerala, colonial Portuguese, Jews, the Dutch and British rule that coexisted in Kerala. Get inspired by the royal collections of the erstwhile Maharaja of Kochi at the Hill Palace Museum. It is known to be the first heritage museum in Kerala. The marvelously built Padmanabhapuram Palace is a great place to visit. Admire the exquisite murals at the Dutch Palace. The green meadows of the Kanakakunnu Palace are so alluring. The Palakkad Fort or the Tipu's Fort has witnessed the Mysorean invasion and the British colonialism. The Jewish Synagogue or Paradesi synagogue is the oldest existing synagogue in the world. The Thalassery Fort stands as the monument of colonial imperialism. The Bolghatty Palace is regarded as one of the oldest Dutch Palaces outside Holland. For those who love paintings, the Krishnapuram Palace is of great importance. Kerala’s largest Mural depicting the story of Gajendramoksham (salvation of elephant) is well preserved at this Palace. The giant keyhole shaped Bekal Fort that dates back to 300 years is another tourist delight. And it is the largest fort you can see in Kerala.

9) Kerala Cuisine

You cannot leave Kerala without trying its authentic cuisines. As Kerala is known as the 'land of spices', the Kerala cuisines include a variety of spices like black pepper, cardamom, clove, ginger, and cinnamon. The long list of vegetarian and non-vegetarian varieties makes Kerala a foodie haven. And you will surely fall in love with the lip-smacking seafood delicacies like cuttlefish, shrimp, crab and squid. Kids will for sure love the tender coconut water, Payasam (rice and milk pudding decorated with cashews and raisins) and the crispy and freshly fried chips. 'Puttu and Kadala', 'Appam and Stew', 'Dosa and Sambar', 'Idli and Chutney', 'Pathiri and Chicken' are some of the breakfast combinations. The 'Sadya' on a banana leaf tastes extra delicious and is a must try during your vacation. The 'Sadya' is an elaborate banquet which is mainly prepared on the occasion of festivals and ceremonies. And it is a non-avoidable part during the Onam festival and Vishu. It contains about twenty different accompaniments and desserts. 'Karimeen Pollichethu', 'Spicy Prawns Roast', and 'Fish Molly' makes for some mouthwatering fish recipes that you will crave for even if you leave Kerala. Most of the Keralites have vegetable gardens at their house, so they use fresh vegetables to prepare their foods which is healthy as well as tasty.

10) Budget

Kerala is an extraordinary destination where one can explore it to the fullest on any budget. Quite a number of luxurious hotels and resorts are there that have modern amenities and offers impeccable service that caters to the interest of families. These abodes provide a soothing and comfortable ambience to foster your travel experience.

Kerala is indeed a quintessential retreat for families who look for a more enriching experience than a mere vacation. It offers a fun-filled escape for families into the laps of nature. Even kids suck the fun out of this place. Come and experience Kerala with your family and kids.

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