“goa– India’s Favorite Tourist Destination”

By Author: Flin
Total Articles: 235
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Goa is an Indian State located in the Konkan region of South West India. The State capital is Panaji with Vasco da Gama being its largest city. Margao is a historic city which still displays the Portuguese influence which began in the 16th century, when Goa was a former Portuguese colony.

Today Goa is renown all over the world for its many beaches, places of worship and World Heritage architecture. Goa is also famous for its flora and fauna because of its proximity to the Western Ghats. A number of domestic and international tourists visit Goa every year. The majority of tourists come to Goa during the months of November and December and stays on till January to celebrate Christmas and New Year.
Goa has two main tourist seasons – winter and summer. European tourists mostly visit during the winter season to enjoy the climate. In summer it is mostly tourists from India to spend the holidays. Apart from the beaches, the Bom Jesus cathedral, Fort Aguada and a new wax museum on the history and culture of India are other major attractions in Goa.

There are two World Heritage sites in Goa; The Bom Jesus Basilica ...
... and Churches and Convents of old Goa. The Bom Jesus Basilica contains the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier. He is considered by many Catholics to be the patron saint of Goa. The Basilica is beautiful with its high arches and exquisite stained glass windows. Tourists often visit to marvel the beauty and serenity of the basilica.
Tourists can also visit the many forts in Goa like Tiracol, Chapora, Corjuem, Aguada and Cabo de Rama. These forts are architecturally important and stand in testimony of Goa’s rich and vast history.

The architecture found in Goa is very quaint and beautiful. It is a fusion of Indo-Portuguese style. Fontainhas in Panaji is a place in Goa and it has been declared a culture quarter which showcases the culture, lifestyle and architecture of Goa. Portuguese architectural style has also influenced some of Goa’s temples like Shanta Durga temple, Mangueshi temple and Mahalas temple.

Tourists can also visit the Goa State Museum and the Naval Aviation museum. It is the only aviation museum in India. The Goa Science Center and The national Institute of Oceanography are also worth a visit.

Goa is also rich in tropical biodiversity and is compared to the jungles of Congo and Amazon. Coconuts, cashew nuts, acre nuts, sugarcane, pineapples and mangoes are found in abundance. Goa has many famous National Parks, including the renowned Salim Ali bird sanctuary. Other wildlife sanctuaries include the Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, Molem Wildlife Sanctuary,Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, Madei Wildlife Sanctuary, Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary, Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary and the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary located on the island of Chorao.
Goa’s sole airport is the Dabolim airport and can also be reached via road and rail. There are cottages and beach houses available for a pleasant and memorable stay.

For more information on Goa Tourism and popular Goa hotels visit HolidayIQ.