A scene of Kerala's waterboats afloat
Indian city Ahmedabad and the state of Kerala have made it to TIME magazine as two of the "50 extraordinary destinations to explore" in its list of the world's greatest places of 2022.
By terming that Kerala is known as 'God's own country' for good reason, TIME said that it is "one of India's most beautiful states with spectacular beaches and lush backwaters, temples, and palaces".
It also took note of Kerala's efforts to ramp up motor-home tourism in India to inspire a new pas de deux of exploration and accommodation. It also mentioned the state's first caravan park, Karavan Meadows, which opened in Vagamon, a scenic hill station.
"In the wake of the state's success with houseboat cruising, caravans are expected to follow suit with a similar promise of sustainable tourism," it said adding that over 1,000 campers have already begun to traverse the land, a fresh and unique way to experience Kerala's beaches and verdant plantations.
Offering "meditation, yogic practices, ayurvedic treatments, and bespoke meals", Amal Tamara, a new Ayurvedic retreat also finds a special mention in the TIME article.
For Ahmedabad, India's first UNESCO World Heritage City, TIME said that the state "boasts both ancient landmarks and contemporary innovations that make it a Mecca of cultural tourism, from the serene Gandhi Ashram that sits on 36 acres on the banks of the Sabarmati River to Navratri.
The state also made it to the list of "50 extraordinary destinations to explore" for its Science City, "a sprawling entertainment centre and theme park", which unveiled three major attractions last year.
TIME also mentioned that the state also has a new interactive robot gallery that celebrates innovation in robotics and features a towering replica of a Transformer.
The publication said that to compile this list of the World's Greatest Places, the top spots to visit this year, TIME solicited nominations of places from its international network of correspondents and contributors, with an eye toward those offering new and exciting experiences.
The list also includes Ras Al Khaimah, UAE; Park City, Utah; Seoul; Great Barrier Reef, Australia; The Arctic; Valencia, Spain; Trans Bhutan Trail, Bhutan; International Space Station; Bogota; Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia; Istanbul and Kigali, Rwanda.