Ernakulam
Kochi is the most cosmopolitan city in Kerala with a commercial port. It is the financial capital of Kerala. Kochi is known as the Queen of Arabian Sea.
Mattancherry
Here is a Dutch Palce built by the Portuguese in 1557 and presented to Raja Veera Kerala Varma of Kochi, the palace was renovated in 1663 by the Dutch. In this palace there are dutch maps of old kochi, royal palanquins, coronation robes of former maharajas of kochi.
Tripunithura
In Mattanchery there is palace built by the Raja of Kochi in the 19th century, this palace served as the seat of the Raja of the Kochi province. The palace has been converted into a museum displaying a fine collection of articles. The musuem has large collection of archaeological findings and the throne and the crown of the Raja. Hill Palace is located 16km east of Cochin in Tripunithura, a satellite town of Cochin.
Bolghatty Palace
This Dutch palace is situated on Bolghatty island which is just a short boat ride away from the mainland. The palace has been converted to a hotel run by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC). The island has a tiny golf course and the panoramic views of the port and the harbour, makes it an attractive picnic spot. Frequent boat service is available from the mainland.
Thattekad Bird Sanctuary
Thattekad bird sanctuary is located near Kothamangalam which is 60kms east of Cochin. Thattekad is located on the bank of river Periyar is a tropical evergreen forest in the foothills of the Wester Ghats. Spread over 25 sq kms, this bird sanctuary is one of the major bird habitat in India. This sanctuary is contains a large number of rare and exotic bird species.