Calming Kerala

NOTHING IS MORE ROMANTIC than the backwaters of Kerala. Picture staying on a houseboat in Alappuzha surrounded by serene stretches of lakes, canals, and lagoons. Consider hopping from island to island in Kumarakom and Munroe Islands, or kickback and toast to your love with sunsets on the beaches of Kovalam, Varkala, Chowara, Chavakkad, Nattika, Cherai, Kizhunna, and Poovar. At Munnar, a hilltop destination, love blossoms on autopilot. When here, watch the sunrise at Chinnakanal, try rappelling at the Mattupetty Dam, embark on a shikara ride through Kundala Lake, or opt for an elephant safari up the rickety Munnar slopes. At Thekkady, let the overwhelming foliage shelter your romantic moments. Make time to visit the elephants of Thekkady’s Periyar forests; walk through whiffs of cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves grown on the hills; and share sweet-nothings as the songs of parakeets serve as your background score. Art-loving couples can plan a trip to Kochi, where white-washed churches, colonial cemeteries, art galleries and pretty cafes fill itineraries. And don’t forget to reserve time for a romantic Ayurvedic massage, a signature wellness offering of the state. keralatourism.org