Organizing trips are always hectic and planning a trip to explore one of the most known and sought-after travel destinations with family would become even more hectic and hilarious. But then family trips not just gives you a day off the daily routines and robotic life but would also help greatly in building up a better bond and connection between the kids and the other family members which include parents, grandparents and siblings. But in my case being a nuclear family from a place like Delhi it is always a busy schedule and lifestyle that we follow and thus we don’t get enough time to spend with our kids. The condition is almost the same in every family in Delhi. Being the best-populated state, Delhi is a place that runs ahead of times. This is one main reason that we organised a family tour from Delhi to one of the best sought after hideout destination to the south, Kerala. We selected a travel package from one of the best travel operators functioning in the state, Gogeo Holidays. As the travel package that we chose did not include the travel expenses from the hometown to the Kochi international airport, we got a chance to travel on our own. After a long flight, we finally reached the Kochi international airport by around 10 am. After meeting up with the travel operators or travel representatives and the driver cum travel guide we started with the family holiday trip of the day.
As per our itinerary organised we were to enjoy a 3-day 2-night trip with destinations like Kochi and Munnar. After moving out from the Kochi international airport we were taken to the hotel that was pre-booked for us. Located to the center of the city the hotel did give us the closest access to almost all the travel destinations and attractions in the city. Kochi was nothing that different from the capital city Delhi; filled with a number of buildings and busy streets Kochi was a city that resembles Delhi is some or the other manner. The only difference that I could actually spot at Kochi was that the city holds within a number of off-beat travel destinations and hideout spots with fascinating beauty of nature. After checking in at the hotel and then resting at the place for a while by around 3 pm we started with the family holiday trip of the day. Listed below are some of the best travel destinations in Kochi that we loved exploring to a greater extent.
Mangalavanam bird sanctuary
Located to the centre of the city inside the high court premises the Mangalavanam bird sanctuary is one of the most fascinating hideout travel destinations in Kerala which is a perfect spot to enjoy in a family trip to Kerala. This fascinating bird sanctuary is one of the best places in Kochi that shows out the true beauty, nature and the biodiversity that the place holds within. Holding within some of the best species of migratory birds the Mangalavanam bird sanctuary offers the travellers especially the nature lovers and the bird watchers with the best visual treat. Filled with a number of best mangrove plantations the place offers the family tourist with a peaceful and calm atmosphere where they could sit back and relax. Delhi even after being a similar city, Delhi lacks natural beauty and hideout spots where the family travellers could spend some time alone with the kids.
Marine Drive, Kochi
Located to the centre of Kochi, Marine drive is one of the other best family travel destinations in Kerala that grabs the attention of the travelers to a greater extent. Not a travel destination to be precise, the marine drive is actually a walkway but as the place is located closer to the sea, is one of the best destinations from where you could enjoy the best view of the sunset and the sunrise. The place could be counted as a family travel destination in Kochi as most of the travelers visiting the place are families. The place also holds in a number of roadside shops from where the travelers could taste the flavors of the roadside foods in Kerala. Even though Delhi is a city with a number of walkways, the view of the sunrise and the sunset at Kochi is something different. The sky is clearer in Kochi as compared to Delhi due to the fewer amounts of pollutants in the air. This is one main thing that makes the sunset and the sunrise in Kerala much more beautiful and breathtaking.
Santa Cruz Basilica
If planning to explore the beach destination at Fort Kochi, you must pay a visit to the Santa Cruz Basilica. Located at Fort Kochi, this is one of the finest pilgrim centres in India that is explored by travelers from different parts that too throughout the year. Built by the Portuguese this ancient church is now one of the best heritage travel destinations in Kerala. In the year 2014, the church had completed its 5 centuries of existence, thus the church is not just the oldest in the state but is the oldest in the whole country. Located close to the St. Francis Church, the Santa Cruz Basilica at presents functions as the cathedral church of the Diocese of the place. To be more adequate located at the K.B. Jacob Road, the church is a Roman Catholic Cathedral. Being a holy destination and a place of great historical significance, the cathedral exhibits a true artistic splendor. The architectural structure of the place exhibits the pure phase and color of the medieval era. The cathedral holds within a number of best attractions which includes the pastel colored interiors, the whitewashed exteriors, the different paintings and the murals belonging to the Gothic style. The place holds in 7 large canvas paintings, well-stained glass windows and different columns that are decorated beautifully with frescoes. The ceiling of the church holds within a number of beautiful paintings which exhibits the Cruces of Christ. Santa Cruz Basilica holds in an important significance among the Christian population residing in the area. Being one of the well-known pilgrim centres in Kerala with historical importance the place is mostly explored by family travelers and is one of the most prominent travel destinations in most of the tour packages that are being organised.
Even though Delhi is also known to have a number of best architectural structures, most of them are being destroyed by the pollutants in the air or was destroyed long back. But the historic destinations and the wonders that one could explore in Kerala are so full of life even after so much of centuries. By the time we finished exploring the place and we reached back to the hotel it was 8 pm. After having the dinner from the place which was complimentary we decided to sleep as we had to move on to our next travel destination which is Munnar, the next day morning. We were woken up by the alarm by 7.30 am the next day morning. After having the breakfast we checked out of the hotel and met the driver so that we could start our family trip to Munnar. Filled with the true beauty of nature and blessed with a scenic and moderate climate Munnar is a literal heaven for families. The place could be a real hide-out travel destination for the travelers from Delhi because they could enjoy one of the best seasons in the place. Delhi in short and precise words is a place that is well populated and polluted due to which the climatic condition of the place is hot and humid mostly, the travelers from the state could enjoy a really relaxing and rejuvenating time in the travel destinations and the hill stations of Kerala where there is a moderate climate that prevails throughout the year. After a long drive of about 3 to 4 hours, we finally reached Munnar by 12.30 pm. As the drive to the hotel booked was a bit long and as it would take more time we decided to visit some of the best and must-visit travel destinations in the place which are located en-route to the hotel. Our family holiday trip at Munnar was organised for 2-days and on the 2nd day, by evening we wind up the trip. After exploring the fascinating attractions of Munnar we were taken back to Kochi from where we boarded the flight. The experience we had Kerala was the best and I would definitely suggest the place for a family trip to the south