the sound of lapping waves and soaring kites above Kerala’s golden sands, and the feeling of time standing still on Kerala’s backwaters. There’s nothing quite like being served your afternoon cup of chai from a boat.

Most first time visitors to India focus on the “Golden Triangle” – India’s eternal monument to love, Jaipur’s pink walls, and the chaotic streets of Old Delhi. But we think there’s a calmer, more peaceful and equally beautiful alternative: India’s southern state of Kerala.

 Kerala has been through more than its share of hardships: The monsoon floods of 2018 hit Kerala hard. The cleanup operation is long since finished, and in most respects Kerala is “back to normal”, but your choice to visit Kerala matters. Here are some of our thoughts on why you should give it a chance.