Goa- A Fantastic And Fabulous Holiday Place

By Author: Steve
Total Articles: 59
Comment this article

Goa Located in South West India in the region known as the Konkan, it is bounded by the state of Maharashtra to the north, and by Karnataka to the east and south, Goa is India's richest state with a GDP per capita two and a half times that of the country as a whole. It was ranked the best placed state by the Eleventh Finance Commission for its infrastructure and ranked on top for the best quality of life in India by the National Commission on Population.

India. It’s the home of spicy curries, colorful saris and – of course – that marble testament to never-ending love, the Taj Mahal. But run your finger down a map of this triangle-shaped country, and you’ll find Goa on the coast about three-quarters of the way down. And it’s here, on the edge of the Arabian Sea, that India gets a tropical twist.

Goa Beach Holiday Highlights
• Goa’s capital, Panaji is similar to an old Mediterranean village with leafy avenues, churches and museums to visit.
• An evening cruise along the Mandovi River is an idyllic way to spend a night.
• Colva is one of Goa’s most popular beaches, offering ...
... a long stretch of uninterrupted sand and lots of shaded palms.
• Catch the sun setting surrounded by towering coconut palms at beautiful Palolem beach.
• In the north find Mapusa’s colourful Friday market, a feast of spices, aromas and new, exciting flavours.

Food and drink
Bursting with flavours, Goa’s cuisine is an explosive blend of Portuguese flavours and Indian spices.

In the northern resorts of Calangute, Baga Beach and Candolim, you don’t have to go far to find a restaurant, with Goan, Chinese, Italian and Portuguese to choose from, with the south’s resorts promising your taste buds just as many options.

Seafood dishes are really popular, so it’s worth planning a special evening out to enjoy tiger prawns or lobster at a beach-shack restaurant.

You’ll also find India’s best fish curry here; if it’s a little bit spicy for you, wash it down with refreshing lime sodas or hit the spot with local Kingfisher beer.

Various pleasure boats and deep-sea fishing trips are available along most of the main beaches in Goa, such as Arambol, Benaulim and Palolem. Dolphin cruises are especially popular and offer tourist the chance to observe local dolphin species in their natural environment, such as Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins, common dolphins and black-finned porpoises.

Water Sports
Water sports have long been one of the main tourist attractions within Goa and although the waters are not crystal clear, there are many excellent dive spots where scuba divers flock. Paragliding is particularly popular around Anjuna and Arambol, while for jet-skiing, windsurfing and parasailing, head to the beaches of Baga, Calangate, Candolim and Colva.

Trekking / Hiking Trails
Although Goa is hardly filled with tall mountains and high hills, it does boast a number of elevated trekking trails, where you can enjoy some great views across the state. Amongst the main hilltop attractions are a number of historic temples and areas of lush jungle-style planting.

Elephant Safari
Enjoying a peaceful countryside setting, the Indian Retreat is a great place to learn more about elephants and Indian culture, offering a taste of the Goa of yesteryear. Here you will able to enjoy a ride on an elephant as it frolics in the river, or even feed the elephants by hand.

Shopping
Getting into the hustle and bustle of Goa’s markets is an essential holiday experience; at Anjuna’s Wednesday night flea market, you’ll find hundreds of market traders holding fort at stalls decked with jewellery, woodcarvings, T-shirts and sarongs.

For a change of scene on a Saturday night, head for Mackies Bazaar in Arpora, where live music and jugglers entertain as you attack the inviting food stalls with gusto.

Fragrant spices, vegetables and fresh fruit are perfect to pick up from local markets, as well as cashew nuts if you fancy a snack as you browse.
Take cheap tickets to Goa, Goa has retained a laid-back feel, the people are friendly and it's relatively safe. There are some great little hideaways ranging from simple beach cabanas to stylish small hotels and Portuguese mansions. It's good value, too; eating out is cheap and seafood is abundant. Combine this with the warm sunshine, and it makes an ideal winter getaway.

Steve is an author of this article and through this article he shares his views about Holidays in Goa so book your Flights to India now and for more info about attractions of Goa you can also visit http://www.ticketstoindia.co.uk