Coming back to Kerala feels less like travel and more like remembering. It’s where my roots are woven into the soil, yet each time I return, I discover something entirely new. Kerala has a way of grounding you with its stillness, while simultaneously inspiring you with its rhythm—the hills, the water, the temples, the people. For me, it was more than just a journey; it was a return to self, to beauty, to balance. If you’re planning your own escape, let this be your insider’s compass to Kerala’s landscapes, culture, shopping and holistic healing.  

Where to Wander: Landscapes & Escapes  

Munnar – Rolling Tea Estates & Misty Mornings 
Rolling tea estates stretch endlessly, each leaf catching morning mist as though the hills themselves are exhaling. The air is crisp, fragrant with earth and dew and the silence is only broken by the rustle of working weaving through the fields. Morning tea outdoors, with the view unfolding before you, feels like sipping serenity itself.   

Where to stay: Lockhart Bungalow – a heritage stay that feels like stepping into another century, with views that sweep across the plantations. The morning guided hikes through the plantation upon sunrise is a meditative way to begin the day. 

Panchalimedu – Waterfalls & Untouched Greenery

It is one of those places that feels like Kerala’s best-kept secret. It’s not just the misty mountains or the hidden waterfalls, it’s the abundance of life growing all around you. We stayed at my husband’s family estate, a living tapestry of coffee, cloves, nutmeg, black pepper, rubber plantations and towering teak wood. Waking up there surrounded by the deep green of the forest, was an experience of pure grounding. It reminded me that Kerala’s richness isn’t only in its landscapes, it’s in the way the land has been nurtured for generations. 

Kumarakom – Backwaters & Sunlit Reflections 
Kumarakom is Kerala’s poetry in water. Glide along the backwaters on a houseboat, watch the reflection of palm trees ripple with the breeze and let time feel irrelevant.For me, the sight of those rice fields stirred childhood memories of walking their narrow paths, while watching children laugh along the banks, plucking lotus flowers on their way home from school, felt like stepping into a timeless painting. It’s the kind of beauty that feels both deeply personal and utterly transportive. 

Where to stay: Kumarakom Lake Resort – known for its Ayurvedic treatments and breathtaking water views, this is slow living at its finest. Ayurvedic traditions meet serene luxury, morning yoga by the water and spa therapies that feel like ancient rituals reborn. 

Fort Kochi —Every corner of Fort Kochi tells a story

One of my favorite cities, the colonial architecture, spice-scented air that carries centuries of trade and storytelling and evening seaside walks with the iconic Chinese fishing nets in view are moments I’ll never forget. Every lane offers discovery, from heritage homes to chic cafés.

Where to stay: Brunton Boatyard– a former shipyard turned boutique hotel that holds Fort Kochi’s spirit in every brick. A beautiful blend of colonial history with soulful comfort. 

Immersive Culture: Stories that Move You 

Kerala’s cultural heartbeat is impossible to miss. 

Where to Shop: Treasures to Take Home 

I always find that a piece of Kerala travels back with me—sometimes in spirit, sometimes in my carry-on. 

Art Galleries:  

Fort Kochi is a vibrant hub where contemporary meets heritage. The Kochi Biennale spirit lives here. One of my favorite artists that I encountered in my previous trip, I made sure to visit Sara Hussain’s gallery. Her art projects the spirit of Kerala that is raw and invoking. Every painting tells a story and you truly appreciate the beauty of every piece.  

David Hall Art Gallery is such a peaceful gem in the heart of Kochi, the quiet charm of an old Dutch home paired with the creativity of contemporary art and a café. I found a piece there that I completely fell in love with, I had to bring it home. Browse the art, then roll up your sleeves: from crafting jewelry to painting with acrylics, the workshops offered let you create and connect in the most personal way. It’s the perfect place to get inspired and maybe even try something new yourself. 

Lila Art Café, a place where you can eat, admire art, and even do a little shopping? Sold. A thoughtfully designed interior, this warm, inviting space, mixes vibrant art, textiles and cozy seating to immediately draw you in.  

Antique Dealers: Heritage Arts is my personal favorite, brass lamps, delicate sculptures of Goddesses carved in metals, heirloom pieces that carry whispers of generations past. A little sanctuary in Fort Kochi, a place where I love to hunt for unique pieces that bring a touch of Kerala’s heritage into my home. Each item is truly timeless, full of character and charm. We spent hours lost in the textures, colors and intricate details, as you appreciate the artistry in every corner. 

Designer Boutiques: I was happy to come across One Zero Eight, a beautiful boutique housed in an old colonial house bringing modernity into tradition, curating fashion that feels timeless yet current. Each garment tells the story of skilled artisans keeping India’s weaving traditions alive. Knowing that the shop honors 700 female artisans whose looms were destroyed in floods makes every item feel even more special. One Zero Eight is the perfect place to discover India’s heritage textiles and artisanal craftsmanship. 

Healing Rituals: Kerala’s Holistic Heartbeat 

Kerala is Ayurveda’s birthplace, and you feel it everywhere. 

I had a full Ayurvedic check-up at an Ayurvedic clinic in Mundakkayam, where personalized therapies reminded me how interconnected the mind, body and spirit truly are.  

We visited the Valliyamkavu Devi Temple, a sacred grove embraced by untouched wilderness. Climbing its steps, I was met with a serenity that radiates divine feminine strength and devotion, a presence that feels perfectly aligned with Ayurveda’s essence of balance, protection and harmony. 

Later, at Kumarakom Lake Resort, I experienced massages that were less about “relaxation” and more about ritual—oils infused with herbs, treatments designed to reset the nervous system and the slow art of healing.  

This is why Kerala is more than wellness, it’s a philosophy. Here, slowing down isn’t indulgence; it’s alignment. 

Insider’s Guide: Practical Wisdom for Your Trip 

Closing Reflection 

This journey wasn’t just about landscapes or luxury—it was about reconnecting with the rhythms of nature and the rituals that shaped my roots. Walking through an old rubber plantation I had lived at in Vazhakulam surrounded by nutmeg, pineapples and black pepper, I realized that these plants have always been part of my story. Visiting the Valliyamkavu Devi Temple reminded me how deeply Kerala ties healing to the sacred, to the feminine, to balance. 

This is why I created taïla skincare, to bring pieces of this heritage into your everyday rituals. Each bottle is infused with the same philosophy: whole plants, whole healing, whole beauty. Not everyone can journey to Kerala, but you can bring Kerala’s essence into your skin, your self-care, your everyday life. 

                                                                                    Love + Light,