Pergamon
Pergamon lies on the north edge of the Caicus plain in the historic region of Mysia in the northwest of Turkey. The Caicus river breaks through the surrounding mountains and hills at this point and flows in a wide arc to the southwest. At the foot of the mountain range to the north, between the rivers Selinus and Cetius, there is the massif of Pergamon which rises 335 metres above sea level. The site is only 26 km from the sea, but the Caicus plain is not open to the sea, since the way is blocked by the Karadağ massif. As a result, the area has a strongly inland character. In Hellenistic times, the town of Elaia at the mouth of the Caicus served as the port of Pergamon. The climate is Mediterranean with a dry period from May to August, as is common along the west coast of Asia Minor.
Vagamon
Still untouched by commercialisation, the sleepy town is surrounded by valleys, green meadows, pine forests, mists, fogs, tea estates, waterfalls and overall greenery. The landscape is mostly hilly bald with green meadows. Vagamon is also home to a variety of flowers and orchids. Three hills - Thangal, Murugan and Kurisumala hills - are the representation of the chief religions in Kerala, i.e. Hindu, Muslim, and Christian which represent the cultural harmony. Vagamon has amenities for trekking, paragliding, mountaineering and rock climbing. However, business interests are trying their best to exploit and sell and market Vagamon for tourists. How much benefit the local people are receiving from tourism boom is to be seen. The efforts made by the Kurishumala Ashram have helped the farmers of Vagamon to improve their earnings by ensuring better prices for milk and marketing opportunities. Vagamon also host the only Ultra Trail Marathon in Kerala, every January. It is organized by Soles of Cochin, a non-profit running Club.