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The city’s timeless, Chinese-influenced style of fishing – one that uses wide, balanced nets suspended along the main harbor to secure the catch of the day – belies its status as an up-and-coming cruise port. So do its historic structures, including colonial churches and synagogues dating to the 16th century, standing along the waterfront.

The true Cochin is a growing tourist destination, with plenty to offer in the way of engrossing cultural tours and enchanting shore excursions. A number of art galleries and museums – most detailing the city’s unusual history, with contributions from Portuguese, Dutch and British settlers over the last 400 years – welcome tours. Bird watching is a popular pastime here, too, and several sanctuaries shelter exotic species. An oversized amusement park, Veega Land, is another lure for visiting families; travelers also might seek an appointment or course in healing Ayurvedic massage, as the technique originated in this area.

Language: English, Indian dialect (Malayalam)     Currency: Indian Rupee (INR)