Portrait of Kathakali dancer in full costume

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Kochi (Cochin)

Set on a magnificent estuary, serene Kochi has been drawing traders, explorers and travelers to its shores for over 600 years. Nowhere else in India could you find such an intriguing mix: giant Chinese fishing nets, a 450-year-old synagogue, ancient mosques, Portuguese and Dutch colonial-era houses, and the crumbling remains of the colonial British Raj. The result is an unlikely blend of medieval Portugal and Holland and an English village grafted onto the tropical Malabar Coast. It’s a delightful place to explore, laze in arty cafes and relax at some of India’s finest homestays and heritage hotels. It's also an important centre for Keralan arts (traditional and contemporary) and a standout place to see Kathakali and kalarippayat.

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Palm Wine or Coconut Toddy popular Drink in Kerala India. It is a alcohol produced from coco tree and very commonly used in Tuvalu. Good combination with spicy hot fish or meat curry; Shutterstock ID 559375078; Your name (First / Last): AnneMarie McCarthy; GL account no.: 65050; Netsuite department name: Digital Editorial; Full Product or Project name including edition: Kerala toddy shops

Food

Why an afternoon in a tiny toddy shop is the ultimate foodie experience in Kerala

Jun 30, 2020 • 3 min read

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