GOC Holidaymaker Holidays to Cochin Kerala South India
Cochin is the largest conurbation in Kerala and extends across the coastal lagoons taking in Ernakulam, a modern, thriving city, and Fort Kochi, the old town which has remained largely unchanged over the years, and several large islands.
Cochin is an ideal location to start exploring Kerala, having good communications with its major rail station and International Airport. The backwaters, mountains and beaches are within a 1-3 hour journey. Fort Cochin itself has excellent hotels, restaurants, and many interesting historic sites.
The Chinese fishing nets along the sea front are very much photographed, especially at sunset, but also provide a freshly caught meal, which is cooked on the spot.
Cochin provides activities for tourists of every taste. The extensive network of backwaters stretches from Cochin to Kollam (Quillon), so all sorts of boat trips are available, with views of the fishermen and small villages. Nearby are perfect palm fringed beaches. The favourite activity is walking along the sea front which is always a hive of activity with ferries, fishermen, fish markets and ships passing to the large port.
Cochin has been a large trading port for spices since the Chinese came in 1422. It has Portuguese, Dutch, and British heritage, so it has several interesting museums. The Dutch Cemetery and the gravestones in Portuguese and Dutch are other reminders of the past. The Jewish Synagogue tells the tale of the large Jewish population of Cochin which can be traced back to the 4th Century, but which has now declined.
Mattancherry Palace was the home of the Raja of Kochi, built in 1555. It is now a museum, with good murals. Hill Palace, 12 km away, was the royal palace of Cochin, and now has a large collection of artifacts, pictures and instruments. St Francis Church stands on the site of a church built in 1510 by the Portuguese, and Vasco de Gamma died here in 1524. St Cruz Cathedral, originally built in 1557, has carved wooden panels.
Cochin is an ideal location to start exploring Kerala, having good communications with its major rail station and International Airport. The backwaters, mountains and beaches are within a 1-3 hour journey. Fort Cochin itself has excellent hotels, restaurants, and many interesting historic sites.
The Chinese fishing nets along the sea front are very much photographed, especially at sunset, but also provide a freshly caught meal, which is cooked on the spot.
COCHIN ACTIVITIES
Cochin provides activities for tourists of every taste. The extensive network of backwaters stretches from Cochin to Kollam (Quillon), so all sorts of boat trips are available, with views of the fishermen and small villages. Nearby are perfect palm fringed beaches. The favourite activity is walking along the sea front which is always a hive of activity with ferries, fishermen, fish markets and ships passing to the large port.
COCHIN HERITAGE
Cochin has been a large trading port for spices since the Chinese came in 1422. It has Portuguese, Dutch, and British heritage, so it has several interesting museums. The Dutch Cemetery and the gravestones in Portuguese and Dutch are other reminders of the past. The Jewish Synagogue tells the tale of the large Jewish population of Cochin which can be traced back to the 4th Century, but which has now declined.
COCHIN PALACES AND CHURCHES
Mattancherry Palace was the home of the Raja of Kochi, built in 1555. It is now a museum, with good murals. Hill Palace, 12 km away, was the royal palace of Cochin, and now has a large collection of artifacts, pictures and instruments. St Francis Church stands on the site of a church built in 1510 by the Portuguese, and Vasco de Gamma died here in 1524. St Cruz Cathedral, originally built in 1557, has carved wooden panels.