Subhasis Banerjee

RATNAGIRI A serene, calm, sedate and secluded seaside resort, girdled by the Arabian Sea in the west and green hills, valleys and murmuring streams on the others, Ratnagiri is another virgin and unpolluted seaside paradise of Maharashtra, again a natural home of the exquisitely tasty Alphonso mango. Accessibility : Ratnagiri is a railway station on the Konkan Railway. Mumbai is 419kms from here. Accommodation : The state run Tourist Lodge is the best available accommodation here. Season : Throughout the year.

KOVALAM A typical tropical beach with a dose of ozone, the bow-shaped Kovalam beach has recently become the centre of attraction of the Occident. Apart from this, there are a number of smaller, calmer and virgin beaches around Kovalam which are fast developing into major attractions. These beaches include Bizhinjam, Pulinkudi, Chowara, Samudra, Puzhikkara and Varkala beaches. The city of Thiruvanthapuram, from where the beach is approached, is also a place of major attraction for the visitors. The Aruvikkara Water Works, 16kms north of Kovalam on the bank of the Karmana River with its lagoon, temples and landscaped gardens is an added attraction of Kovalam. Accessibility : The state capital city of Thiruvanthapuram is 16kms from Kovalam and has excellent air, rail and road connections. Kovalam is connected to Thiruvantapuram by road. Accommodation : Kovalam has a number of standard and deluxe Hotels. Season : Throughout the year.