"God's own country" - Kerala is a heavenly portrait splashed with myriad of enchanting hues. This little coastal state on the southwestern tip of India offers an amazing array of backwaters that snakes through the state. During your Kerala travel, a cruise down the backwaters on a Kettuvallam (houseboat) is an ideal way to discover the real Kerala. It is more beautiful than the canals in Thailand and infinitely less crowded than those in Milan.

Across the state of Kerala, the backwaters comprise of several canals, rivers, lagoons and lakes. Traveling in Kerala on a houseboat is a spellbinding experience and the most authentic and unexplored way to explore the beauty of the backwaters. The frequently visited tourist destinations amongst the backwaters in Kerala comprise of Kovalam, Alappuzha, Kottayam and Ernakulam.

The tourists may indulge into activities like boating, fishing and sight seeing while exploring the backwaters when they travel to Kerala. The backwater cuisine, which comprises of delectable fresh fish like pearl spotted fish, barramundi, crabs, mussels and prawns is finger licking.

Traveling along Alappuzha or Alpeleppy, the best-known port on the Malabar Coast in a houseboat is unforgettable. It has been rightly called the 'Venice of the East'. The intimacy of the boat with the village reveals the rustic lifestyle of the people, the countryside seems to be at its best.

Another beautiful coastal city is Cochin, Kochi or Ernakulam - 'Queen of the Arabian Sea'. The list of scenic islands comprises of Bolgatty, Vypeen, Gundu and Vallarpadam. Cochin is famous for landmarks of cultural heritage like the Jewish synagogue, the Dutch Palace, St. Francis Church.

Further down the backwaters is the unexploited beach resort of Varkala. Tourists flock to this resort cum spa because of its beautiful landscape. The small town is religiously significant for the Hindus because of the Janardana Swany temple and the two thousand year old shrine of Lord Vishnu. And the combination of sun, sand and sea cannot be enjoyed any better than at the Kovalam beach. The Kovalam beach is a perfect spot for a lazy and romantic holiday with miles of silvery sand and canopies of coconut trees.

And once your Kerala backwater holidays reaches Kumarakom, you may utilize your stay by visiting the Periyar or the Thekkady Wildlife Sanctuary and the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary.

Besides the houseboats, there are regular accommodation options of luxury hotels in Kerala, deluxe hotels in Kerala, budget hotels in Kerala, cheap hotels of Kerala et al may be opted for. The entire maritime journey is a merry time experience in true sense.