Boasting
of great natural beauty, the state of Goa is located between the majestic
hills of Western Ghats and the cool blue Arabian sea. The land is covered
with coconut, cashew and mango groves and is edged by sun kissed beaches.
Goa was ruled by the Portuguese from 1510 to 1961, the reminders of that
period can be seen in the forts, palaces and churches spread across the
state. Goa still has the glimpse of the Iberian Coast, with its small tiled
houses, colourful carnivals and beautiful mantilla attired women. The state
with a population of 1,169,793 spreads over an area of 316 sq. kms.
Climate & Clothing
The coastal state of Goa has a maritime climate with moderate temperatures
round the year.
Summer months of April and June are known for their soaring temperatures
and the temperatures range from 27°C to 34°C. During the winter
months of November to February, temperature ranges between 20°C to 31°C.
The southwest monsoon brings rain between the months of July and September.
The ideal time to visit Goa is from November to March. Light cottons are
suitable for summers and during winters tourist must carry light woollens.
Accommodation
Stay during your travel in some of the popular hotels and resorts of Goa
include Majorda Beach Reasort (5 Star/ Majodra, Salcette), The Leela Beach
Hotel (5 Star/ Mabor), Taj Exotica (5 Star/ Benaulim ), Fort Aguada Beach
Resort (5 Star/ Sinquerim), Goa Marriott Resort (5 Star/ Miramar Beach),
Park Hyatt Goa Resort and Spa (5 Star/ Arrossim Beach, Cansaulim), Coconut
Grove (4 Star/ Ranwaddo, Betalbatim Beach) and Sun Village Resort (4 Star/
Baga, Arpora).
Attractions
»
Panaji (Panjim) : Panaji, the state capital since 1843, is centred
around a church and the square front. Situated on the southern bank of the
river Mandovi, the town has wonderfully preserved its Portugues heritage in
its narrow winding streets and old buildings.
» Fort Aguada : Built in 1612, the fort had the
first lighthouse in Asia. Equipped with a room for ammunition, baracks and
church, the fort now houses a jail.
» Old Goa : Founded by Adil Shah, in the early 16th
century, the city is situated 10 kms east of Panaji. Today it is a small
village surrounded by huge churches and convents which were built during the
rule of Portugure.
» Margao : The capital of Salcete province, Margao
is the main populated centre of southern Goa. It is a charming town which
still displays many reminders of its Portuguese past.
» Beaches : Goa is known all over the world for its
finest beaches. Some of the popular beaches are Anjuna, Vegator, Candolim,
Calangute and Colva.
» Churches : Goa was ruled by the
Portuguese for many centuries who had built many churches in the regions.
The noted churches of the state are St. Cathedral and St. Francis of Assisi.
Airport
Goa's international airport is Dabolim Airport, which is located at a
distance of 29 kms from Panaji. The airport is well connected to domestic
and international tourists destinations through regular flights. Flights of
Indian Airlines connect Goa with Mumbai, Bangalore, Cochin, Delhi, Madras
and Ahmedabad. A number of chartered flights connect Goa to international
destinations like United Kingdom, Gulf Countries and other European
countries.
Local Modes of Transport
For
moving around in the city, luxury, semi-luxury coaches and tourist taxis are
available. Auto-rickshaws are widely available and it is very convenient for
travelling within the town and to cover the short distances. Cycles,
motorcycles, moped and scooters can also be hired on daily basis. Ferryboats
are other local means, which help the tourists to cross the rivers
separating the tourist spots in Goa.
Entertainment Options
Goan life is full of dance and music and tourists can reallly have a good
time by engaging themselves in these activities. Most entertainment and
leisure options of Goa lies in its casinos. These casinos are a combination
of urban elegance and traditional warm reception. One can enjoy famous games
like roulette, blackjack, baccarat and craps in these casinos. Another most
popular entertainment option is taking part in the Rave parties, which are
organized every night around New Year and Christmas.
Adventure Activities
For adventure enthusiasts, Goa offers much more than one could expect.
There are so much adventure options in Goa that each day of your vacation,
you can have a different experience. Goa has a long coastline, which is
dotted with some of the finest beaches in India, so water sports is a famous
activity in the state. Not just the sea but the rivers and lakes also make
it a perfect place for aquatic fun. Famous adveture sports which can be
enjoyed here are parasailing, scuba diving, snorkeling, trekking, hiking or
river crossing, jet-skiing, water Skiing and windsurfing.
Shopping
A visit to Goa is not complete if you do not return with a souvenir of your
memorable journey. Undoubtedly alongwith sightseeing, shopping should be a
priority in the itinerary of every visitor. Most famous souvenir items of
Goa include local handicrafts, brassware, terracotta, shell work, crochet,
carved furniture, bamboo work and papier-mache. Another must buy item is the
pack of the famous cashew nuts, which are available everywhere around the
state. Shopping in the traditional markets of the Goan towns and villages is
a fascinating experience, as these markets are the mirror to the Goan ethnic
culture. Mapusa and Anjuna are the most popular shopping areas in Goa.
Tourist Offices
