The word travel does not necessarily mean taking a long tour. Some trips can be impulsive – to places you can go and come back without going through the trouble of planning ahead. If you are in Thiruvananthapuram, these are some of the places you could go early in the morning – and still get back home in time for a late dinner. And a couple of places which you could stay over, if needed. 1) Kappil - Varkala Have an early lunch and drive down to Kappil so that you reach the place by 4pm. The road to Kappil – with the sea on one side and the lake on the other, will give you a sneak peek into the rustic village life. The sea here is calm, but since there won't be any lifeguards, you have to be very careful. You can go for a boating in the lake too. The famous tourist centre of Varkala is just about 7kms away from Kappil. You can either see the sunset at Kappil or drive down to Varkala. Have dinner from one of the many joints that dot the cliffs and head back home. Kappil is about 50kms from the city. You will take about an hour and a half to reach Kappil from the city. [More on Kappil](http://travel.manoramaonline.com/travel/getting-around-kerala/kappil-sea-lake-near-varkala-thiruvananthapuram-travel.html) 2) Anchuthengu – Muthalapozhi This is the story of how bridges change the way people travel and take in the beauty of a place. Drive to Kazhakuttom and then take the newly opened over-bridge and get on to the coastal road passing Perumathura by. And move on to Anchuthengu, the first military outpost of the British in ancient Kerala. The lighthouse here is open till 5pm on working days. Walk up, take in the sights and sounds of the village life all around you. And on your way back, you can take a dip in the sea at Muthalapozhi or go for a boat ride. Muthalapozhi is fast emerging as on of those places where you take in the sunset. More on [Anchuthengu](http://travel.manoramaonline.com/travel/getting-around-kerala/anchuthengu-a-birds-eye-view.html) 3) Kovalam Kovalam, once was a mandatory stop for all things touristy in the city. Then, the charm faded, yet it did not fizzle out. The surf and the sands still manage to lure in both domestic and foreign tourists. And it is now reinventing itself – with scuba diving and surfing options for those who are adventurous. You can go boating in the sea at Kovalam too. [More on Kovalam](http://travel.manoramaonline.com/travel/getting-around-kerala/scuba-diving-kovalam-explore-adventure.html) 4) Thenmala Situated about 70kms from the city is Thenmala, an ecotourism centre. It is ideal to plan your trip in such a way that you reach the place by 10am and spend the whole day here. What does [Thenmala offer a tourist?](http://travel.manoramaonline.com/travel/getting-around-kerala/footloose-at-thenmala-eco-tourism-dam-western-ghats-travel-adventure.html) 5)Poovar Peaceful, serene are the two words that define Poovar. You can relax at one of the resorts there or go boating through the estuary. And if you are resourceful, you can talk the boatman into taking you out to see Vizhinjam, which will soon be a major port. 6)Neyyar The dam and the [Lion Safari Park](http://travel.manoramaonline.com/travel/getting-around-kerala/roaming-lions-safari-at-neyyar-travel-tourism.html) are the major attractions of Neyyar. Read more about [it here](http://travel.manoramaonline.com/travel/getting-around-kerala/neyyar-dam-travel-lion-safari-steve-irwin-park-getting-around-kerala.html) 7) Gavi – Adavi A trip to Gavi and the nearby eco-tourism centre of Adavi will be an unfortable experience. There are tours conducted by the government. Remember, though, [Gavi is a forest and you have to be careful](http://travel.manoramaonline.com/travel/getting-around-kerala/travel-kerala-gavi-getting-around-is-a-forest-don-t-mess-around.html) 8) Shendurney One of those places which still has not found a place in the tourism map like its neighbours, Shendurney, is one of those pristine forests that will allow you to be close to nature. You can go on a trek or just relax at one of the accomodations near the forests. 9) Mankayam Situated about 50kms away from the city is this beautiful waterfall - yes, we know it is summer and the water will be less - but still it is worth a visit. [Read more about it here](http://travel.manoramaonline.com/travel/getting-around-kerala/an-escape-to-mankayam.html) 10) Kanyakumari Make sure you start early so as to beat the heat. Chill out at one of the water theme parks till the sun goes down. Visit Sucheendram temple if you are religious or make a trip to the Vivekananda Rock on a boat across the ocean. Sunsets and sunrises are what Kanyakumari is famous for. On your way back, drop in at Padmanabhapuram Palace, which used to be the seat of the kings of Travancore before they moved to Thiruvananthapuram.
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