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Kerala surely lives up to its image. You just reach in Kerala. Be it Cochin, Calicut or Trivandrum- you can feel the smell of the sea and see the never-ending rows of the palm trees. The pleasant Malayali will wish you with a sweet and genuine smile. Â Â
Situated on the lush and tropical Malabar Coast, Kerala is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India.  Listed among the “Ten Paradises of the World†and “50 Places of a Lifetime’ by the National Geographic Traveller magazine, Kerala is especially known for its ecotourism initiatives. Its unique culture and tradition, coupled with its varied demographics, has made Kerala one the most popular tourist destinations in the world.
Kerala’s western coastal belt is relatively flat. It is crisscrossed by a network of interconnected canals, lakes, estuaries, and rivers known as the Kerala Backwaters. Lake Vembanad, the largest body of water in Kerala, dominates the backwaters. It lies between Alappuzha and Kochi. It is more than 200 square kilometers in area. The backwaters traversing the state are the important modes of Inland Navigation.  You can enjoy a stay on a houseboat or cruise through the backwaters in a boat. The serene water and the tree-lined shores can only bring in a lot of peace and tranquility to the mind. Although swim in backwaters is not advisable, it is extremely safe for a very good swimmer. Your friendly boatman is always there to take you from one village to another on the backwaters. He knows the exact places to go and stop for a complete exploration of typical Kerala Backwaters.
The beaches at Kovalam, Cherai and Varkala are the known well for their unparalleled beautifies. Mattancherry Place is an important attraction of Kerala. Cities like Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram are popular centers for shopping and traditional theatrical performances. During early summer, the Thrissur Pooram (an annual Hindu temple festival) takes place. It attracts a wide range of foreign tourists.
At the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Thekkady, you and your friends can majestically ride on an elephant to get into the scenic jungle. A professional mahout will guide perfectly for an enchanting journey. Spot egrets, herons, Siberian stork, daters, teals and hundreds of other migratory birds in Kerala’s enchanting bird sanctuaries. Cook in the jungle. Sleep in tents. Wake up to the sounds of the wilderness. You are really lucky- if you can spot a tiger.
Stare at the backwaters. You will feel an excitement when a team of 100 oarsmen will row their snake boats. Â
Listen to music coming from the old temple nearby. Panchavadyam is an orchestra of five native instruments to produce traditional temple music. Â Â
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Enjoy bananas. In Kerala, red, green and yellow are synonymous with various types of bananas. These come in different shapes too- tall, short, stout and sleek. Taste banana chips, raw banana dishes, banana milkshake, banana ice-cream, dried bananas, etc. Â Â
Kerala’s handcraft centers have an extraordinary collection of wood, coir shell and sandalwood souvenirs, trinkets, and jewelry. Wood carved Kathakali masks, snake boats, elephants, jewelry boxes etc. are perfect showpieces for your drawing rooms and definitely ideal gifts for your friends.  Pay a visit to Jew Town in Kochi. A maze of spice traders, antique furniture dealers, and a minuscule Jewish community will make you happy with art and lacework. Â
  If you can complete all these mentioned above, you will feel a bit of the serenity of Kerala.