Journey through the south of India, from the Kerala backwaters to the exotically-colored temples, the deities of Tamil Nadu or the stunning city of Bangalore in the Karnataka region. This intense sensory odyssey through nature ends in Goa, where the beaches are lapped by the crystal-clear waves of the Arabian sea.
Restaurant and hotel on the seafront. Tucked away in the South Indian state of Kerala, Niraamaya Retreats Surya Samudra overlooks the Arabian Sea. Its cottages, nestled amongst the coconut trees and caressed by the sea breeze, offer the best in Keralian Heritage architecture. A path wends its way to the ‘Chandra’ beach – an idyllic beach with intensely private vibes. Ayurvedic massages and Thai relaxation therapies take you on exhilarating sensory journeys, while Yoga sessions on a platform at the cliff’s edge make for an absolutely enlivening experience. In the restaurants, bold flavours compete with stunning views – the chef’s Indian cuisine is a masterly blend of the most delicate of herbs with the warmth of spices.
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Built in the 19th Century, the Napier museum is a strange architectural mix with influences from Kerala, China and Italy. Known for its incredible carnivalesque décor, the museum offers visitors a beautiful collection of archaeological objects, bronzes and other Buddhist sculptures. Nearby, the Thiruvananthapuram...
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Towards the wooden Padmanabhapuram Palace
This splendid palace evokes the past splendour of Travancore, the old capital of the realm. All in worked wood, decorated with sculpted ceilings and painted murals, the palace is fully surrounded by a magnificent outer wall of teak and granite. Each staircase, each room, evokes with nostalgia and refinement...
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On the route
Be a supporter at the Nehru Trophy Boat Race, Alleppey
On the second Saturday in August, every year since 1952, the whole population of Alleppey and its environs meets around the Punnamada lake to the north east of the town to challenge each other in a unique race: 16 snake-like boats, almost 45 metres long, carrying around 100 rowers, speed by as fast as...
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Journey along the currents of the Backwaters
Travelling to Kerala means first and foremost sailing on its canals through luxurious vegetation. This network of almost 900km between lakes, lagoons and rivers allows you to go deep into the land itself. We sail slowly, so slowly, from one village to another between the delicious perfumes of copra and...
Hotel and restaurant in town. The Malabar House is more than a beautifully designed heritage hotel. It is an art hotel, home of a carefully curated collection, highlighting Kerala’s composite culture as a passage between East and West. The rooms are comfortable and the service is flawless. Malabar Junction, the hotel’s renowned restaurant and Divine, its wine lounge, combine the tradition of South India with exciting culinary innovation. Enjoy classical music or a dance performance on the patio’s stage, rejuvenate body and soul at the ayurvedic centre, step into the history and culture of Fort Cochin, and explore Kerala’s backwaters on the hotel’s own eco-friendly house boat.
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A sort of ballet takes place every day along the banks of Fort Cochin. At high tide, each Chinese fishing net, 10m high, needs four men to act as counterweights. This fishing technique, all along the coast of the Sea of Oman, dates back to the merchants of the court of Kublai Khan, at the turn of the...
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Kathakali makeup and acting, Kochi
Kerala’s typical theatrical art, Kathakali, means ‘play telling a story’. Inspired by the epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana, its plays only depict male characters. In Kochi, different sites including the Kerala Kathakali Centre offer short versions where you can watch the actors putting on their makeup...
Hotel and restaurant in the country. Rated as one of the finest yoga retreats in the world, Shreyas is dedicated to self-discovery and rejuvenation. Shreyas is a seamless blend of the modern and the timeless, sumptuousness and simplicity, indulgence and enlightenment where guests can practice yoga in luxurious and elegant surroundings. The small number of rooms preserves the intimacy and serenity of this large refuge. Guests can delve into ancient Indian texts, meditation techniques and ayurveda. Also on offer are revitalising massages, organic farming, cultural tours and community service. The cuisine is vegetarian and there is a no alcohol policy. A haven of peace for the perfect balance of body, mind and soul.
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Known as the ‘red garden’, these botanical gardens were created in 1760 by Haider Ali, the Sultan of Mysore. Over a total area of almost 100 hectares, it offers one of the largest collections of tropical plants in the country. The walk around the two lakes and the greenhouse, the famous Glass House,...
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Take a personalised Yoga course, Bangalore
An oasis of greenery, Shreyas is an ideal place to practise Yoga. Traditional classes based on traditional Hatha Yoga and Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga are given by experienced teachers. Classes are adapted to the level of the students, the teaching divided between various practices: Pranayama (understanding...
Hotel and restaurant on the seafront. Nestled in a quiet corner of Dolphin Bay in Goa, the Ahiliya by the Sea hotel feels like a family home, its stylish and understated interiors accessorised with decorative objects sourced from around the world to take you on a voyage of discovery. Coconut trees, frangipani and brightly coloured flowers provide the backdrop for the refined Portuguese colonial architecture. The Holkar royal family that owns the property manages this hospitality enterprise with enthusiasm, aiming to ensure everyone’s experience of this oasis of beauty is simultaneously unique and unforgettable.
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This UNESCO World Heritage Site is an indisputable pilgrimage destination. Dating back to the 16th century, Bom Jesus of Goa church is a prime example of religious Baroque architecture in Portuguese India and proof that the Jesuits were here in the 1500s. Since the 17th century, it has held the remains...
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The historic Portuguese Fontainhas quarter of old-world charm
The first things you notice are the brightly colored houses whose architecture is like an eyewitness to the area’s history. This part of Goa was colonized by the Portuguese and home to a handful of wealthy leaders with houses that attest to their significant riches. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site...
**Offer cannot be combined, valid for an itinerary in at least 2 different Relais & Châteaux establishments, reserved with Relais & Châteaux concierges, discount applicable on certain rates and certain establishments. List available from our concierges.
Total price communicated as an indication, based on a stay of the number of nights recommended on this webpage, taking place in the next 3 months, and based on double occupancy (excluding recommended activities, excluding properties not bookable online).
Reservation Service
To give you inspiration, Relais & Châteaux presents the Routes du Bonheur:
Suggestions for travel itineraries that you can fully personalise according to your wishes and the experiences you would like to discover. Our consultants are available to help customise your route and assist you in making reservations at our properties. It is up to you to reserve any recommended activities on-site or nearby that might interest you.
** Offer cannot be combined, valid for an itinerary in at least 2 different Relais & Châteaux establishments, reserved with Relais & Châteaux concierges, discount applicable on certain rates and certain establishments. List available from our concierges. Call our concierge to tailormade your booking and itinerary*. *Price of a local call