I am seriously considering traveling to southern India, Kerala next winter and have been researching for a while now but I now have to make decisions.Im a pretty experienced world wide traveler and solo traveler throughout Europe but this is a bit out of my comfort zone, a bit nervous about doing this on my own. I have been to north India and Mumbai on a tour and loved it.
Im mostly interested in guest houses, homestays, backwater houseboat although a super inn or resort for a few nights might be lovely too.
Length of stay is flexible .. at least a few weeks. Im very interested in taking cooking courses or culinary trails.
If any of you have done this and can give me tips from your experiences or recommend accommodation, or a cab & driver company you have used I'd much appreciate it.

A friend who guides Danish tour groups around India invited me to join her at Somatheeram, an oceanside Ayurvedic resort, and I loved it. The food was good, the cottages very comfortable, the massage an adventure and the setting is wonderful, lulled to sleep with the sound of waves. I think as a solo traveler, as I usually am, you’d enjoy it.

Ayurveda Village with an Ayurveda Resort ambiance - Somatheeram

We visited for 3 weeks in January/February 2017 arriving just in time for Pongal (the annual harvest festival). We liked the Emerald Isle resort somewhere near Allepey. It’s a 150 year old ancestral home, very relaxing, with great food. Country boat tours and Ayurvedic treatments are also available. Another place we liked in Kerala was Ann’s homestay near Pala, it’s a pretty homestay on 25 acres of mixed farming land. Ann was happy to have me in the kitchen with her making our shared dinner of several curries.

Consider adding Tamil Nadu to your itinerary for the wonderful temples and South Indian food. There’s a walking food tour in Madurai which we found to be excellent. Indian Panorama made arrangements for this trip, and were excellent.

For further details see my trip report “On the road again to Incredible India”.
I’d revisit Southern India in a heartbeat, a truly fascinating place.

Kerala is a well trodden tourist friendly destination, frequented many times over by fodorites here. I'd start by reading all the trip reports here which is more elaborate than any single guide book can provide. I can vouch for that.It would include places to stay( any budget),eat,shop, visit,duration of stay in each place,means of travel,enter and exit,rail ,air or road,routes to take, agents, car with drivers and so on... You'll get endless info.
Work out a route plan according to your specific area of interest,places you think you need to see. Youu get some incredible advice in here.Break up your queries into point form for clarity and distinctiveness.

Presently large parts of Kerala is experiencing the worst deluge in living memory. Incessant to heavy rains, many town have been washed away,lives lost,land slides,rivers in full spate in the States of Kerala and Karnataka.Dams are bursting in their seams.I have received some WhatsApp images which are rather disturbing.

God's Own Country currently inundated.
My prayers with them.

Thanks Sartoric, inquest and MmeP for your quick responses.
Im sorry to hear about the devastating floods right now in Kerala and will be following.
The info you have provided is encouraging and a great hand up for my further research.
Sartoric, Ill be getting intouch with Indian Panorama. Their reviews are awesome!
I have started reading your posts and on Sri Lanka as well as its another destination Im immediately interested in. I wasnt sure if I would combine both in one winter or spread over 2? You are obviously a good resource stating both goid experience and flaws to stay away from. Your travel seems to be my sort.
inquest, Im reading back and taking in your advise as well. I wonder is the floods will affect this winters tourism?
Much more to read, digest and followup on.
Ill get back with informed questions as I have them.
Anyone else wanting to add suggestions is welcome to of course.

I visited Kerala and Tamil Nadu on a two week trip, on a journey a bit similar to sartoric's. I also used Indian Panorama, and my contact there was Tim. I don't think you will find a better company to handle your trip. Tim actually lives in New Zealand, but he has a great sense of humor, and will be able to help you plan a trip that is tailored to your interests.

I agree that you don't really need three weeks in Kerala, and that there is more to see historically in Tamil Nadu. When I think of Kerala, I imagine boats and coconut trees, and relaxation. I also stayed at the Emerald Isle, and found it really nice, but two nights there was sufficient.

I flew into Cochin, and my driver and I made our way from west to east over the two weeks. I departed from Chennai. You can click on my name to see my trip notes (not really a trip report).

Lastly, I travelled alone on my trip, and I never felt worried about my safety. The only mishap I had was a bird stealing my soap from the open air bathroom at the Emerald Isle.

Thanks Cal Lady. Encouraging. Would you or Sartoric have an email address for Tim at India Panoramic?
With the devastating floods I may have to postpone but can start the planning process and he might be best to assess the recovery by January/February.

Tim - Indian Panorama <[email protected]>

I enjoyed the two nights I stayed in Cochin at the beginning of the trip. I stayed at Walt's Homestay for two nights. It's a really nice city.

Hi Ms Lizzy.
Planning another India trip with Tim at Indianpanorama(email/details noted above by Sartoric and Califlady) I am privy to a recent email his current clients received, stating that he's currently trekking in Leh / Ladakh and will have rare if any internet connectivity for another couple weeks. So if you write, but don't hear back from him, don't despair. He usually responds to enquiries within 12-24 hours, but per his email, it may be a few weeks before he is back "on the grid."
You are in great hands with him. I say this based on assorted trips to India both with and without Indianpanorama's services. As said above by other Fodorites, he'll answer your questions with honestly and humor. When he is able to get in touch with colleagues at the local IP offices (there are many, including in Cochin, Kerala) he'll be able to more accurately assess, if it can realistically be done this far in advance, if and how the floods will affect this winter's tourism.
I'll be in Tamil Nadu and Kerala in January.

mmePerdu
This would be a real treat. Lucky you!

Ive been in touch back and forth with Tim and we've decided to wait maybe a month before going forward depending how things go there. I could postpone a year and perhaps do SriLanka this winter.

Hello MsLizzy,

I am Murugan, I am living in Tamilnad and closed to Kerala. Due to the heavy rain, it was washed out the Kerala road and affect the tourism as well. But now, all the roads and hotels and tourists spots are renovated. As I suggest you that you shall visit Kerala without any fear.

Thank you so much for the update. Im relieved and glad that things are getting back to normal there.
For this coming winter however, not knowing the outcome or time line for the reconstruction of the area, I decided to postpone my visit. Ive made other plans (SriLanka, then Spain) for this winter but will look at it again for the following year.
Updates are always welcome.

India is quite diverse. As you are doing Sri Lanka this fall, you may consider other areas in India like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, west Bengal or further up north & east on your subsequent trip. Sri Lanka and Kerala are not very dissimilar!
Enjoy your travels to Sri Lanka & Spain!

I have ben to both Kerala and Sri Lanka. I did not think them similar.