Kochi

Travellers and migrants brought their cultures with them, turning Kerala into an intricate mosaic. Amazing Chinese fishing nets decorate the shores of Fort Kochi, and in Mattancherry there is a beautiful Dutch palace and an ancient Jewish synagogue with unique Chinese glazed tiles dating back from the 14th century, just two reminders of a past that still lingers to this day. It is clear why so many of those who came here struggled to gain control over these fabulously rich lands in the south west of India.

If you visit Kochi, also known as Cochin, the largest city in Kerala, head off to the Mattancherry district and find Restaurant 51. It is located on one of the oldest streets in the city, Bazar Road, in an old warehouse where spices were sorted and packed. Order the catch of the day, as the chef always chooses only the best and freshest seafood. The restaurant is part of a hotel called the Xandari Harbour, and if you book a room here you will be right on the waterfront, with views of Fort Kochi and beautiful fishing vessels drifting past your bedroom window. Just round the corner is a bazaar where you can shop for all kinds of colourful spices.