Kerala – Vishnu’s Odyssey
When I plan a trip, I cover all the main aspects, but some elements always remain unpredictable: the quality of the food, the professionalism of the guides, the atmosphere on-site, the weather… This trip to Kerala exceeded all my expectations and turned out to be magical from start to finish. Here’s a look back at an unforgettable adventure.
We arrived in the middle of the night, and after a few hours of sleep, we started our first day by exploring the surroundings of our hotel, The Travancore Heritage. The nature here is incredibly lush, with a palette of vibrant greens that seem almost surreal. Just a few minutes from the hotel, the Arabian Sea awaits, with water at 25 degrees Celsius… Pure bliss to start the day with a swim at sunrise, around 7 a.m.! We ended this first day with a mesmerizing dance performance, a perfect introduction to the local culture.
One of the highlights of The Travancore Heritage is its Ayurvedic center, the Anandam Centre. Ayurveda, an ancient Indian system of holistic medicine, offers a unique approach, and we were lucky to enjoy personalized consultations with doctors and incredible massages that soothe not only the body but also the soul. It’s an experience in itself, adding an authentic wellness dimension to our stay.
The food deserves a special mention too! We were treated to an incredible variety of dishes, each more delicious than the last. And as the cherry on top, we even had a cooking class where we learned the basics of Kerala cuisine, with its characteristic spices and flavors.
India is also about its cities: bustling, chaotic, but colorful, vibrant, and full of surprises. We explored the lively streets of Kovalam and Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala, where we visited museums, tried trendy new restaurants, and did some shopping—a true dive into urban Indian life.
And then, Kerala is the birthplace of Kathakali, a unique dance drama that combines devotion, theatrical expression, dance, music, costumes, and spectacular makeup. We had the privilege of witnessing the preparations for a performance, with the makeup stages being a work of art in themselves.
As a Bharatanatyam teacher, I was thrilled to share a performance of this classical dance with my students, who accompanied me on this journey. India is also the home of yoga, and we were able to participate in several classes each day—a true haven of peace for both body and mind.
Another gem of Kerala: the backwaters. This network of more than 1,500 kilometers of natural and artificial canals and lakes stretches along the entire coast. The backwaters are the lifeline of the local economy, an essential transport network, but also a stunning natural spectacle that we were lucky to explore.
How to sum it all up? My heart is filled with gratitude for all the participants, because if this trip was extraordinary, it’s also thanks to them. The group energy was incredible, and I hope I was able to share a bit of my love for India. A big thank you as well to all our Indian partners who made this journey possible, the entire team at The Travancore Heritage. And let’s not forget Rossi, the director of the Bulgarian travel agency, and Viney, the director of the Indian travel agency.
I’m heading back at the end of November with a second group. And of course, I’ll be offering the same trip in 2025 at the same time of year.
If you’re interested in the adventure, send me an email, and I’ll give you all the details.
When I plan a trip, I cover all the main aspects, but some elements always remain unpredictable: the quality of the food, the professionalism of the guides, the atmosphere on-site, the weather… This trip to Kerala exceeded all my expectations and turned out to be magical from start to finish. Here’s a look back at an unforgettable adventure.
We arrived in the middle of the night, and after a few hours of sleep, we started our first day by exploring the surroundings of our hotel, The Travancore Heritage. The nature here is incredibly lush, with a palette of vibrant greens that seem almost surreal. Just a few minutes from the hotel, the Arabian Sea awaits, with water at 25 degrees Celsius… Pure bliss to start the day with a swim at sunrise, around 7 a.m.! We ended this first day with a mesmerizing dance performance, a perfect introduction to the local culture.
One of the highlights of The Travancore Heritage is its Ayurvedic center, the Anandam Centre. Ayurveda, an ancient Indian system of holistic medicine, offers a unique approach, and we were lucky to enjoy personalized consultations with doctors and incredible massages that soothe not only the body but also the soul. It’s an experience in itself, adding an authentic wellness dimension to our stay.
The food deserves a special mention too! We were treated to an incredible variety of dishes, each more delicious than the last. And as the cherry on top, we even had a cooking class where we learned the basics of Kerala cuisine, with its characteristic spices and flavors.
India is also about its cities: bustling, chaotic, but colorful, vibrant, and full of surprises. We explored the lively streets of Kovalam and Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala, where we visited museums, tried trendy new restaurants, and did some shopping—a true dive into urban Indian life.
And then, Kerala is the birthplace of Kathakali, a unique dance drama that combines devotion, theatrical expression, dance, music, costumes, and spectacular makeup. We had the privilege of witnessing the preparations for a performance, with the makeup stages being a work of art in themselves.
As a Bharatanatyam teacher, I was thrilled to share a performance of this classical dance with my students, who accompanied me on this journey. India is also the home of yoga, and we were able to participate in several classes each day—a true haven of peace for both body and mind.
Another gem of Kerala: the backwaters. This network of more than 1,500 kilometers of natural and artificial canals and lakes stretches along the entire coast. The backwaters are the lifeline of the local economy, an essential transport network, but also a stunning natural spectacle that we were lucky to explore.
How to sum it all up? My heart is filled with gratitude for all the participants, because if this trip was extraordinary, it’s also thanks to them. The group energy was incredible, and I hope I was able to share a bit of my love for India. A big thank you as well to all our Indian partners who made this journey possible, the entire team at The Travancore Heritage. And let’s not forget Rossi, the director of the Bulgarian travel agency, and Viney, the director of the Indian travel agency.
I’m heading back at the end of November with a second group. And of course, I’ll be offering the same trip in 2025 at the same time of year.
If you’re interested in the adventure, send me an email, and I’ll give you all the details.
