Alleppey, the backwater charm of Kerala, has an equally impressive neighbourhood. If you are scouring for options for a short trip from Alleppey, there is a lot to choose from. You can drive off to the hippie Varkala, explore the wilderness at Periyar, go beach hopping at Kovalam, roam around the culture-rich bylanes of Kochi, wonder at the splendor of Trivandrum’s Padmanabhaswamy Temple or go chasing wild herds of elephants in Munnar. Choose one of these and you will have plenty to do for a weekend; stunning natural vistas and great food assured.