South India with Jasmine Trails

Drifting in a houseboat through the tranquil backwaters, a labyrinthine system of palm fringed canals, rivers, lakes and lagoons, is undoubtedly the highlight of a trip to Kerala. Stunningly green paddy fields, the smiling faces of local villagers and an unhurried pace of life afford the traveller a leisurely way to soak in nature at its best. Delectable Kerala cuisine served onboard adds to the experience. Overnight or do a day cruise on the houseboat. Extend your stay at one of the luxury water-front resorts at the small towns of Alleppey and Kumarakom to enjoy relaxing Ayurveda massages.

Kochi, ‘The Queen of the Arabian Sea’ is one of the oldest cosmopolitan port cities in the world.  Maritime trade flourished with Arabia and China, and in the early 16th C the first European traders, the Portuguese, arrived on its shores drawn by exotic spices and sandalwood. Kochi not only welcomed and endured all who came to trade and rule, but also assimilated the new cultures and cuisines. This makes Kochi a fabulously interesting, multicultural hotspot. Historic sites like the Mattancherry Palace, Saint Francis Church, the Pardesi Synagogue and Chinese fishing nets weave in beautifully with modern art galleries, antique shops and boho chic cafés. Truly an exciting destination!

Hyderabad offers a brilliant panorama of four hundred years of fascinating history and culture. The incredible wealth of the princely state, ruled by the Nizams, was possible because of their world-famous diamond mines in Golconda. Apart from its brilliant architectural wonders and colourful markets, the city’s cuisine borders on the legendary and makes up an important part of the Hyderabadi experience. Get a taste of royal opulence with a stay in a former palace of the Nizams.