Visit to Kerala in Jan/February

Hi, I'm from London and I really want to visit Kerala. I haven't really travelled outside Europe before and I am 60 so it's a but outside my comfort zone. However all the tours I've seen seem to follow a well worn path of Kochi, backwaters, Munnar etc. It may be that these are just the best places to go but I would really value some advice on places to go that might be off the usual tourist trail or why I would be better sticking to the usual routes.

I would have about three weeks so I don't need to rush around and see everything. I'm interested in food, culture, local art and crafts and walking mainly.

Thank you