Kollam/Quilon

About 75 kms from the city of Thiruvananthapuram, the old town of Kollam, which is the centre of cashew industry has slowly developed into a modern city. The Syrian Merchant “Sapir Iso” built the Kollam town edging the Arabian Sea. The old proverb “Kollam Kandal Illam Venda” meaning that after seeing Kollam, home becomes unnecessary holds true, as it is a successful commercial, trading and industrial centre.

Access

           Kollam in Kerala can be accessed by rail, road and by backwater transport.

Accommodation:

The numerous accommodation include The Raviz Resort and Spa,  The Quilon Beach Hotel, Nani Hotel, Hotel All Season, Hotel Sea Pearl, Hotel Sea Palace,  Hotel Sudarsan, Hotel Karthika and many more.

Local Attractions:

• The Ananda Valleeswaram Temple, Pullichira Church, the oldest Mosque called Chinnakkada Palli all form part of its religious tourist attractions. 
• Other spots include the 144 ft Light House in Thankassery, a previous enclave of Portuguese, Dutch and British; remnants of Portuguese and Dutch Forts; 
• Vadi beach, a calm and scenic area to be enjoyed; 
• Asramom Picnic Village 
• Adventure Park for the kids. 
• Boating in the Ashtamudi Lake is a favourite tourist activity. Variety of boats, including luxury cruise boats, powerboats and motorboats are available for hire from the boat jetty in the Adventure Park. 

• Thangal Kunju Musaliar (TKM) College of Engineering reflects the beautiful Islamic architecture with their minarets, arched doorways and windows.
• Ethnic Resorts are among the tourist attractions of Kollam. Visitors can live in atmospheric resorts, made in traditional architecture, with Ayurvedic spas and have access to natural ponds and rivers. 
• For trekking the ideal place is Jetayu Para, a massive rock named after Jetayu from the epic Ramayana who fell to death while trying to prevent a demon Ravana from abducting Sita Devi, wife of Hindu God Lord Rama. 
• The Sasthamkotta Lake is Kerala's largest fresh water lake and is a beautiful picnic spot 29 km away from Kollam. 
• A popular tourist spot is Palaruvi Waterfalls, 69 km away from Kollam. It is one of South India's most scenic waterfalls and surrounded by dense forests. 
• Amritapuri Ashram, headquarters of Mata Amritanandamayi Devi is a small village situated in a small island 36km from Kollam. 
• Munroe Island, another tourist spot is a group of 8 islands. It can be found at the conflux of  Ashtamudi Lake and Kallada River. You can view the coir retting process,  watch migratory birds, feed prawns,  fish, take part in canoe tours and boat sight seeing trips. The famous Vallam Kali takes place in Kallada River 28 days after Onam, one of the most important festival of Kerala.