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.
