Feel the ocean breeze against your face as you watch local fishermen bring in their daily catch with old Chinese nets. Wander along the sandy beach and smile at the vendors of the various street food stalls.

You can’t help but feel a sense of calm. Cochin, the laidback port city in Kerala, will entice you to stay longer than you planned. 

Walking through the seaside area known as Fort Cochin will take you back to when the Dutch, Chinese, Portuguese and British ruled the port. But the old colonial buildings along the quaint streets have since been converted into delicious seafood restaurants and quirky shops.