Travel Guides
Practical, honest advice written by our experts on the ground: when to go, how long you need, what it costs, and how to make the most of every destination.
35 guides
KeralaWhen to go
When is the best time to visit Kerala?
Month by month advice from our Cochin team: the dry season, the monsoon, and the quiet sweet spots most visitors miss.
6 min read
KeralaPlanning
How many days do you need in Kerala?
How long for the backwaters, hills and a beach, and when it is worth adding Tamil Nadu.
9 min read
KeralaFamily
Is Kerala good for families with children?
Houseboats, elephants and gentle pacing, and why Kerala works for all ages.
9 min read
KeralaPlanning
Backwaters or beaches: which is right for you?
How to split your time between Kerala's two headline experiences.
8 min read
KeralaFood
What should you eat in Kerala?
From the sadya feast to Malabar seafood, the dishes worth seeking out.
9 min read
IndiaWhen to go
When is the best time to visit India?
A country of many climates, and how to time the region you are heading to.
9 min read
IndiaMoney
How much does a tailor-made India trip cost?
What shapes the price, and how to travel well at every budget.
8 min read
Sri LankaPlanning
How many days do you need in Sri Lanka?
Tea country, wildlife and coast, and a realistic guide to pacing the island.
8 min read
Sri LankaSafety
Is Sri Lanka safe to travel right now?
An honest, up to date view from our team on the ground in Colombo.
8 min read
VietnamWhen to go
When is the best time to visit Vietnam?
North to south, the weather varies hugely, and here is how to time it.
8 min read
JapanPlanning
How many days do you need in Japan?
Tokyo, Kyoto and beyond, and how long to allow for a first trip.
8 min read
JapanWhen to go
When is the best time to visit Japan?
Cherry blossom, autumn colour and the quieter seasons in between.
8 min read
Costa RicaWhen to go
When is the best time to visit Costa Rica?
Dry season, green season, and the wildlife each of them brings.
8 min read
KeralaFood
In Rick Stein's wake: a slow eating tour of coastal Kerala
From the fish auctions of Fort Kochi to a backwater kitchen where four generations still cook over firewood.
9 min read
KeralaPlanning
Kerala, mapped: coast, hills and backwaters
How the state fits together, and the sensible order in which to travel it.
8 min read
KeralaPlanning
Ten small things to know before you go
Practical habits our specialists pass on to every guest before they fly.
6 min read
KeralaPlanning
Kerala holidays: the complete planning guide
Where to go, how long to stay, when to travel and how a Kerala holiday fits together, from our Cochin office.
9 min read
KeralaVisas
India visa for UK citizens: the e-visa step by step
Who needs a visa for India, which e-Tourist visa to choose, and how to apply on the official site without paying an agent.
6 min read
KeralaPlaces
Munnar travel guide: tea hills, walks and where to stay
What Munnar is really like, how long to stay, the best walks and when the tea hills are at their best.
7 min read
KeralaPlaces
Varkala travel guide: the cliff beach in south Kerala
What Varkala's cliff is like, who it suits, the best beaches and how it compares with Kovalam and Marari.
6 min read
KeralaPlaces
Fort Kochi: what to see and do
The Chinese fishing nets, Mattancherry, the spice markets and how many days to give Kerala's old port.
7 min read
KeralaPlaces
Wayanad travel guide: Kerala's northern hills
Forests, plantations, caves and wildlife in north Kerala, and how to add Wayanad to a trip.
9 min read
KeralaPlaces
Kerala backwaters and houseboats explained
Alleppey or Kumarakom, one night or two, and how to choose a good houseboat.
8 min read
KeralaPlaces
Kerala beaches compared: Kovalam, Marari and Varkala
Which Kerala beach suits you, when the sea is calm and where to stay on the coast.
10 min read
KeralaPlaces
Kumarakom travel guide: Vembanad Lake and its resorts
Kumarakom's lakeside hotels, bird sanctuary and backwater cruises, and how it compares with Alleppey.
9 min read
KeralaPlaces
Thekkady and Periyar National Park: a visitor's guide
Boat trips, forest walks, spice gardens and what wildlife you can realistically see at Periyar.
10 min read
KeralaWhen to go
Kerala weather month by month
Temperature, rain and humidity through the year on the coast and in the hills.
10 min read
KeralaPlanning
Things to do in Kerala: 15 experiences worth planning for
From a backwater canoe trip to a theyyam ritual, the experiences our Cochin team rates most.
11 min read
KeralaCulture
Onam: when it is and how to experience it
Kerala's harvest festival explained: dates, the Onam feast, flower carpets and snake boat races.
9 min read
KeralaCulture
Theyyam and Kathakali: where and when to watch
Kerala's two most striking performance traditions, how they differ and how to see them respectfully.
10 min read
KeralaPlanning
Where is Kerala? Map, time zone and getting there
Kerala's location in India, its time difference from the UK and the main airports.
8 min read
KeralaSafety
Is Kerala safe? Including advice for solo women
Honest safety advice for Kerala: health, roads, the sea, and travelling as a woman on your own.
6 min read
KeralaPlanning
Ayurveda in Kerala: how to choose a retreat
What Ayurveda is, how long a proper course takes, the best season and how to tell a genuine centre from a spa.
10 min read
KeralaPlanning
Kerala honeymoon guide
Where to stay, how long to go and how to make a Kerala honeymoon feel special without rushing.
10 min read
KeralaPlanning
Planning a Kerala holiday: local specialist or do it yourself?
An honest look at when booking Kerala yourself works, and where local knowledge makes a real difference.
6 min read
New guides, every month
Practical advice and quiet inspiration from our experts on the ground, straight to your inbox.