Itinerary cruise "Saris, Temples & Lagoons"

Embarking.

A small port in the south-west of India, Kochi is one of the most beautiful on the Malabar Coast where the scent of cardamom mingles with cloves. It was here that Vasco de Gama disembarked over 500 years ago, and yet how many Phoenicians, Greeks, Arabs and Romans came here before him to drop anchor in the turquoise waters of the Oman Sea? So many nations, at a time when pepper from Malabar was almost as precious as gold, left these shores loaded with precious spices. Here you can explore the Manttancherry Palace and a lively bazaar, or take a traditional Kettuvallam rice barge to explore the “backwaters”, a network of lakes and channels bordering the villages and rice fields.

Capital of the State of Kerala, Trivandrum boasts a rich and colourful past. You will be seduced by the legends and secular traditions, such as the Kathakali dance which celebrates the many divinities. Tucked away in the neighbouring hills, the Padmanabhapuram Palace, a former residence of Kerala princes from the 16th century also waits to reveal its secrets.

A prosperous port, Mangalore attracts traders dealing in coffee, cashew nuts, pepper and other valuable spices. The town is home to several remarkable religious buildings, a legacy of its Portuguese colonial past, like the magnificent St Aloysius Chapel and a number of fascinating and ancient temples.

A former Portuguese trading post, the historic centre of the capital Panaji reveals a colourful market and a number of “quintas”, grand mansions that belonged to the Portuguese aristocracy in the 18th century. In the heart of Velha Goa you will discover an amazing ensemble of cathedrals, churches and monasteries from the 17th century.

Disembarking.