Popular travel guide Lonely Planet has released a list of cities which every traveller ought to visit in 2020, and Kochi from Kerala is the only city from India, taking the seventh position.
Kochi, also known as Cochin, is a south Indian city part of the Ernakulam district of Kerala. Described as a “magnificent estuary” and known to be a multicultural travel hub, it has an atmosphere that mixes the contemporary way of life with old-school traditions.
Speaking about the modus operandi of its list compilation, The Lonely Planet wrote, “We ask everyone, from our writers and editors to our online family of social media influencers, and amid fierce debate, the list is whittled down by our panel of travel experts to just 10 countries, 10 regions, 10 cities and 10 best value destinations. Each is chosen for its topicality, unique experiences and ‘wow’ factor. We also take sustainable travel seriously – helping you to have a positive impact wherever you choose to go”.
Dubbed the “Queen of the Arabian Sea”, the centuries-old port city, which was a strategic point in the spice trade, is situated on the tropical southwestern Malabar coast of India.
Describing Kochi’s relaxed elegance, The Lonely Planet said, “This nicely chilled city is a shining example in renewable energy in recent years, launching the world’s first fully solar-powered airport, which snagged it a UN Champions of the Earth award.”
“With boho cafes, intimate homestays hidden away in lazy, colonial-era backstreets, and a raft of forward-thinking galleries, this city keeps a tight grip on its heritage while wholeheartedly embracing its newfound cool. In 2020, street art comes to the fore at Kochi-Muziris Biennale, putting India firmly on the contemporary arts festival map”, the travel guide further added.
Salzburg in Austria, Washington, D.C., Cairo, Galway in Ireland and Bonn in Germany, took the first five spots.
Elaborating on Kochi’s inclusion in the list, The Lonely Planet said, “Nowhere else in India could you find such an intriguing mix: giant Chinese fishing nets, a 450-year-old synagogue, ancient mosques, Portuguese- and Dutch-era houses and the crumbling remains of the British Raj. It’s a delightful place to explore and relax at some of India’s finest homestays and heritage hotels. It’s also an important centre for Keralan arts and a standout place to see Kathakali and kalaripayattu.”
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