Lush green paddy fields, snaking backwaters and tantalising food aside, Kerala has got some pretty sweet surprises hidden among all those coconuts. The land of houseboats, banana chips and temple festivals has earned its moniker of God’s own, and all it takes is a single trip there to find out why.

Luring traders, travellers and explorers for more than 600 years, Fort Kochi is a cornucopia of historic cultural remnants. Spend your time exploring the streets and relax in heritage accommodation that will take you back in time to Dutch, British and Portuguese eras. Feast on local seafood like the famous salt-baked fish, or sit by a waterfront cafe amid gems from the Kochi-Muziris art scene.

A couple of hours away, you can even get your hands dirty and sculpt a work of pottery art in Thrissur.

At Marari, enjoy the rare privilege of a quiet, clean beach with sparkling water, and spend the night in a quaint villa that overlooks the sea. Alleppey’s city centre may be chaotic, but stray from the well-trod paths into the countryside and you’ll be heavily rewarded with lazy rides along the backwaters past neon green paddy fields and watery villages. Take a private boat to your accommodation in a coconut lagoon on Lake Vembanad, and spend your afternoons spotting local birds from the verandah of your restored old mansion, or retire to a bungalow surrounded on three sides by Kerala's largest lake. For avid birders, a bird sanctuary in the vicinity also boasts a rich avian population.

The elevated and secluded region of Wayanad makes a great getaway spot. Home to the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, it’s renowned for its wild elephants. The region’s beauty, many believe, is unsurpassed in all of the state. Spend a night in a luxurious tree house built by indigenous tribesmen, and when day breaks venture to nearby Edakkal to explore ancient caverns.

Though Varkala is known for its backpacker vibe, there’s an easy air about the cliffside beach town. Sign up for a surf lesson on its pristine beaches or a yoga session overlooking the glittering Arabian Sea.