2 Days in Kochi, Kochi, India

Kochi (or Cochin as it used to be known) was a good place to pick to begin our 3 week tour of Kerala. Easily accessible via a direct flight 10 hour 40 minutes from London, this is the city where India began to trade its riches with China, Africa, Arabia and later Europe. The Chinese, Romans, Portuguese, Dutch and British have all left their mark on Kochi over the years and the city’s architecture plays testament to that. They say that Kochi is not just a city, it is a feeling – well it certainly had a feel good vibe for me.

Before you can start to explore this fascinating city though, there is the not insignificant matter of negotiating the Indian road system. It is nothing like I have experienced anywhere in the world before – even Naples and Palermo (and that is saying something!).

Fortunately, it is reasonably economical to hire a private driver to transport you – and also to be your friendly local guide – for the duration of your trip. I would say that hiring a private driver is not an optional add-on luxurious extra, it is an absolute, cast iron, must do necessity. Not only are you safely transported from A to B in air conditioned comfort, with wi fi connectivity and bottled water always available, you also have the benefit of expert local knowledge of where to find safe ATM cash machines, how best to go about buying alcohol, where to find a good local spot for lunch and tips on local sights that you might have missed out on if attempting to make your own way. A reliable private driver is worth every single penny – including a generous tip ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).