Kerala

Kerala is a strip of coastal plain between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea, with a long history of spice trade. Travel here splits neatly into themes. There are the backwaters around Alleppey and Kumarakom, where houseboats and canoes glide through palm-lined canals. There is the hill country of Munnar, Thekkady and Wayanad, with tea and cardamom estates and wildlife at Periyar. There is the heritage of Fort Kochi and its Chinese fishing nets, and the beaches at Varkala, Kovalam and Marari. Ayurvedic treatment, Kathakali and Theyyam performances, temple festivals and the Malabar kitchen add more to enjoy. The best weather is from October to March, when it is dry and comfortable. The monsoon from June to September is popular for Ayurveda and green landscapes. Distances are short but roads are slow. Plan around two or three bases rather than moving every day. In a week you can see Kochi, a hill station and the backwaters, and finish with beach days.