Kerala, as the Keralans say, is God’s Own Country. It’s hard to argue with them. Occupying a thin slither of land running down India’s south-western Malabar Coast, Kerala offers up several different shades of idyllic. This short but enticing tour strives to cover all aspects: beginning with the colonial delights of Fort Cochin, you then head up into the emerald green tea plantations of the Western Ghats, before dropping back down to the verdant heartlands of Kerala’s spice belt. An overnight houseboat cruise is paired with a rural backwater homestay in the languid backwaters, before rounding out the trip on the wide sandy beaches of Marari. A compact itinerary which provides a full overview of Kerala’s myriad attractions, this trip will leave you both invigorated and rejuvenated in equal measure.