Bolgatty Palace (15 km from Le Meridien)

This Dutch Palace is situated on Bolgatty 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.

Chinese Fishing Nets, Fort Kochi (12 kms from Le Meridien)

The Chinese fishing nets (Cheenavala) are distinctly unique to Kochi. It is believed that traders from the court of the Chinese ruler Kublai Khan introduced these nets here. Oddly, these nets are found only in Kochi, outside China ! Many fishermen earn their livelihood by fishing using these massive nets. A whole stretch of the coast along Fort Kochi and Vypeen are dotted with these nets.

St. Francis Church, Fort Kochi (12 kms from Le Meridien)

It is the oldest church built by Europeans in India. On his 3rd visit to Kerala, Vasco da Gama, the Portuguese trader who reached India from Europe by sea, fell ill and died in Kochi. He was buried in the St. Francis Church. Later his remains were taken back to Portugal. In spite of that, his burial spot inside the church has been clearly marked out.

Jew Street and Jewish Synagogue (10 kms from Le Meridien)

It's almost a walk down the lanes of antiquity. The Jew Street is lined with shops that sell curios, antique pieces of crockery, carved wooden furniture, bronze and brass sculptures, remnants of traditional houses and jewellery. The antique sellers of these streets are the descendants of a fast dwindling population of Jews who settled down here in AD 52. Every piece that they sell has its own tale to narrate - of a palace or a home of the nobility, of travels across many lands and ages.

Hill Palace, Thripunithura (4 kms from Le Meridien)

Built in the 19th century by the Raja of Kochi, 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 showing the wealth and splendour of the Rajas of Kochi, including the thon and the crown. The museum also houses a large collection of archaeological findings.

Guruvayur Temple (104 kms from Kochi)

The Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple is the most famous Krishna Temple worshiped by Hindus in India located in the Thrissur district of Kerala. Punnathurkotta was once the palace of a local ruler, but the palace grounds are now used to house the elephants belonging to the Guruvayur Temple. Now there are about 66 elephants of different ages. Gosala is a farm belongs to Guruvayur temple cares hundreds of different variety of cows. All these animals are offered by the devotes to the temple.

Athirapally and Vazhachal (80 kms from Le Meridien)

The charm of the Athirapally Vazhachal waterfalls cannot be described in words. Starting calmly from the High Ranges, and crashing through gorges overhung with trees, it is one of the best places in India to re-capture a real sense of the classical idea of the 'Picturesque' - not just calm and sweet, but something wild and natural.

Veega Land (15 kms from Le Meridien)

India's first water theme park, has since its inception been an irresistible attraction for hundreds of thousands of fun loving people of all ages from all over India. Spread over 30 acres of landscaped space, built to international standards and impeccably maintained, Veega Land has a mind boggling array of sophisticated rides to thrill you till you can't take any more.