Tranquil & scenic!

Kerala is a paradise for travellers with its emerald green valleys, spectacular beaches, exotic foliage-covered mountains, ever-flowing rivers, rich wildlife and pleasant weather. This is a perfect vacation to have a fascinating date with nature. Whether it's a family bonding vacation or a memorable honeymoon trip, this state of southern India is an option that will never go wrong. There are many majestic tourist destinations in the southern part of the state, but many tourists don't have much idea about the impressive tourist spots that dot North Kerala.

We landed at the Kannur International Airport to begin our exploration. We stayed at the 'Seashell Beach Resort', which is precariously located on the cliff overlooking the beach. A few hundred steps you could walk on the soft sands of the beach. But what sets it apart from the rest is the peaceful atmosphere set in lush green tropical surroundings to give you the most relaxing holiday you've ever had!

The next morning, we started our trip from our resort to St Angelo's Fort. This is a well-preserved fort with a rich influence of history, but little known even to some of the locals leave alone visitors. Facing magnificently, the Arabian Sea, it is strategically placed at a distance of 2 km from the main town centre.

The Tourism Police Officer gave an outline of the fort's history. "The fort was built, by Dom F de Almeida, the first Portuguese Viceroy of India, in 1505 and has a rich history of attracting rulers to own. It was attacked in vain by the local Indian ruler Zamorin (the rulers of Kozhikode) and Kolathiri (the ancestors of rulers of Travancore) in the Siege of Cannanore (1507). The fort developed over the period through the hands of Portuguese, Dutch and English shows remnants of influence of each culture," he explained.

The ancient lighthouse, bastions, prison in the fort decorated in green, leaves an ever-lasting memory among the visitors.

After refreshing coconut water at the Milma store, we reached the Arakkal Museum. It is a delight for history buffs like me, the museum displays stunning heritage furniture, antiques, artwork, silverware, weapon, and other objects giving a peek into the lifestyle of that era. It is dedicated to the members of the royal Arakkal family, this 16th-century museum is located inside the premises of their residence, Arakkalkettu (Arakkal Royal Palace).

We were surprised to hear that the family is ruled by an elder member and it can be a male or female. The present Sultan is Adiraja Mariyumma alias Cheriya Bikkunhu Beevi (85) assumed the title of Arakkal Beevi, she is the 39th head of the erstwhile royal family of Arakkal. And you will be surprised even the 38th sultan was also a female Arakkal Adiraja Fathima Muthu Beevi, who passed away on May 2019.

Later, we reached the Thalassery Fort, which was built by the British in 1708. The fort stands testimony to the development of Thalassery into a full-edged town. The fort is designed to facilitate a quick survey of the enemies approaching by the sea route. Initially, the fort was used as a warehouse to store spices like cardamom and pepper. The entrance of the fort, set on a 10-metre-tall massive wall, is one of its unique features. A flight of stairs let the visitors ascend to the fort. While entering the fort, the first thing one will notice is the arch-shaped area where the sentinels used to keep vigil.

Our day ended with the visit to the newest Kannur International Airport where we spoke to Tulasi Das, managing director of the Airport. He explained to us how the airport will help the tourist cut time to explore North Malabar.

My next day started with a stroll on the beach. Then we started to Valiyaparamba backwaters. This is a hot backwater destination in North Kerala located in the Kasaragod district. Valiyaparamba Backwaters is among the most popular summer holiday destination in the northern regions. We enjoyed the boat cruise through the stunning backwaters of the region which was a mind-blowing experience. People who plan a trip to the backwaters of Valiyaparamba shall never forget to visit the majestic Bekal Fort and the nearby attractions. It is a quaint place in the Kasargod district of Kerala. A well-kept fort and a fabulous beach are the main attractions of this tourist destination. Bekal is located on the scenic shores of Arabian Sea almost 15 kilometres away from the Kasargod town. Do not leave the charming fort without enjoying mind-blowing sunset views. Don't miss to see the area of the fort where the song 'Tu hee re' from the movie 'Bombay' has been shot.

Our fourth day started with Wayanad. It is certainly one of the must-visit places in Kerala because of its scenic nature, unique wildlife and stunning attractions. For people who plan a trip to Northern parts of this state shall consider visiting Wayanad. We reached Banasura Sagar Dam a beautiful location. You can have an exhilarating experience of the Wayanad's longest zip line. Aside from the picturesque nature, we were enthralled by the panoramic backdrop of mountains over the dam. This area is a photographer's delight especially during monsoon because of the formation of small islands and the crystal-clear water of the Banasura Lake.

From there we went to the Contour Island Resort and Spa. It was truly heaven on earth experience' by visiting the resort. All the rooms overseeing the tranquil Banasura Lake with pristine nature at its best.

After shopping at Sindur Store, Kalpetta, we landed at Vythiri Resort in Wayanad. I felt lucky to stay at this resort because I was in a villa with a swimming pool and a glass-floored bedroom along with a small living area. These villas also have verandas that look out at with splendid views of the surrounding forest. You have an option to stay at the treehouse to have a bird's eye view of the surroundings.