Trivandrum or Thiruvananthapuram, a city that celebrates its rich past with a fast galloping economy, lies at a drive of around four hours from Alleppey. Visit Trivandrum for the very splendid Padmanabhaswamy Temple, the richest Hindu temple in world, or to learn more about the traditional weaving looms at Balaramapuram (shopping for the traditional Kerala sarees is a must here). Wildlife lovers can also visit Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary to get close to the crocodile farm. A visit to the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) Space Museum makes for a great learning experience too (the museum is not open to foreigners).