Great! So your tour starts at 9 am from your hotel and your first destination is Fort Kochi. Fort Kochi is a historic place that showcases the culture and traditions of various civilizations. The most popular attraction here is the Chinese Fishing Nets, which you can visit first. The local fishermen will teach you how to operate these nets for a small fee, which is a great experience. The best time to visit this place is during sunset, especially if you are fond of photography.

Next, visit the St. Francis Church, which was built in 1503, where the Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama was originally buried. After that, drive past the Santa Cruz Basilica, an imposing church (closed on Sundays). Then, head to the Dutch Palace, also known as the Matancherry Palace, which has murals, portraits, and exhibits of the Rajas of Kochi (closed on Fridays).

A short walk away from the Dutch Palace is the Paradesi or Jewish Synagogue, which was built in 1568 by the Malabar Yehudans. It is the oldest one in the Commonwealth of Nations (closed on Fridays and Saturdays). Dont miss the 45 feet clock tower with its four dials bearing time in four different numerals – Malayalam, Arabic, Hebrew, and Latin.

After visiting these places, take a walk around Jew Street in Fort Kochi. Here, you can find a busy spice market that earlier had a sizeable number of Jewish people engaged in the trade, but most have left for their homeland in Israel now. Enjoy the aroma of the finest spices such as ginger, cloves, cardamom, pepper, and cinnamon, and also try the famous “one meter tea” at one of the numerous tea stalls. You can also browse through the numerous antique shops and curio shops.

Finally, continue your drive through Marine Drive and Broadway, where you can shop for some famous spices or beautiful silks. Your tour ends here, and you can be dropped off at your hotel. However, if you wish to experience the ancient dance form of Kathakali, you can be dropped off at the Kathakali Museum instead.