Alappuzha 150 km from Thiruvananthapuram & 66 km from Kochi. Often called as the "Venice of the East" & situated o the Vembanad Lake, the longest in India, the commercial center of Alappuzha lives in amaze of canals. Set in the labyrinth of backwater channels, the town is one of the best starting points to explore the unspoiled country side of Kerala.  Also known as Alleppey, this is the center for backwater cruises in Kerala. The nearest airport is at Kochi. Alappuzha is connected to Kochi by rail. It is connected by road with important centers of south India. There are frequent buses from Kochi. Pathiramanal, in Vembanad lake is a small island, which ca e reached by boat. Ambalapuzha 14 km from Alappuzha, the shree krishna temple here is one of the most important inn Kerala. Its main festival is celebrated during march/April. Arthunkal a important pilgrim center for Christians is known for the famous St. Andrews Church established by Portuguese in 1951  A.D. Chettikulangara Bhagavathy Temple is supposed to possess miraculous powers. Krishnapuram Palace is situated at kanyamkulam 47 km from Alappuzha on the way to Kollam. Karumadikkuttan at karumadi, 3 km east of Ambalapuzha, is a statue of Buddha called Karumadikkutta. Mannarsala 32 km from Alappuzha, near Haripad, is one of the most important centers of serpent worship in Kerala. On the day of Ayilyam (Sept/Oct) thousands of people assemble to worship & propitiate the serpent god. The office of the Alappuzha Tourism Development Co-operative Society is at Boat jetty, close to the central bus stand. This society arranges on request, interesting backwater cruises from Alappuzha. The society also offers boat cruises to Kollam. It also operates a cruises from Kollam to Alappuzha.