The Cochin harbor r is one of the best natural harbors in the world. Cochin as we will discover, is also believed to be the oldest European settlement in India. It is a cluster of islands hugging the coast. To this day the old harbor - front of Cochin looks straight out of an ancient book - Arab dhows in the foreground and behind, the elongated tree - shaded buildings of the spice traders and coconut merchants, the descendants of the families who sold gold, ivory, timber and peacocks to King Solomon nineteen centuries ago! From time immemorial the Arabs, the Dutch, the Chinese, the English and the voyagers from Portugal have followed the sea-routes to Cochin and left their imprint on the town.

On arrival at Fort Cochin we proceed on a discovery . We visit the Cochin harbor, one of the best natural harbors in the world. We drive past the giant Chinese Fishing nets, ingeniously constructed these nets are used throughout the year except during the monsoons.

From time immemorial the Arabs, the Dutch, the Chinese, the English and the voyagers from Portugal have followed then sea-routes to Cochin and left their imprint on the town.

We visit the St. Francis's Church which is the oldest European church in India. Vasco De Gama who died in Cochin in 1524 was buried here for 14 years before his remains were transferred to Lisbon. His tombstone still stands. The church was built in 1503.

We walk to the Chinese Fishing nets which were introduced by the traders from the court of Kublai Khan. The nets are mainly used at high tide, requiring at least four men to operate their system of counterweights.

Built in oriental style & one of the oldest buildings Mattancherry Palace or the Dutch Palace, situated in Ernakulam district of Kerala was originally built by the Portuguese and presented to the king of Cochin, Veera Kerala Varma, in the year 1555 AD. It was later taken over by the Dutch who improved it through extensions and repairs in 1663 AD. Since then it came to be called the Dutch Palace, though at no time did the Portuguese nor the Dutch stayed there. The Palace is a portrait gallery of the kings of Cochin.

We visit the Jewish Synagogue built in 1568 and is the oldest in the Commonwealth. We walk around Jew town to see the antique shops.

The best in Antique Shopping
We walk to the Jewish Synagogue built in 1568, is the oldest in the Commonwealth. Only a handful of Jewish families remain in Jew Town today.
A couple of hours of leisure time to shop at the antique shops in Jew Town where you could spend a few hours and strike a good bargain.