The Backwaters region of Kerala is one of southern India’s most intriguing and colourful areas, and the pleasant market town of Alleppey lies right in its heart. Once known as the ‘Venice of the East’, Alleppey is criss-crossed with canals and dotted with thousands of coconut palms. With the Arabian sea to the west and a vast number of lakes, rivers and lagoons in every other direction, it’s water that makes up the character of this town.