Top 5 Reasons Why You Must Plan Your Trip To Goa?

The beach state of Goa boasts of being one of the major contributors to the tourism industry of India as every year a crazy number of travelers from all around the world come for Goa holidays. Now, one of the world’s most sought-after travel destinations, Goa is quite well-known for a number of things, it has to offer to its visitors. This place manages to offer a vast variety of activities along with its unique culture. Thus, if you haven’t yet planned a trip to Goa, a must-see destination, here are the top reasons why you should do so:

 1.  Portuguese architecture-

After the Portuguese arrived in Goa during the 15^th century, this beach state was under their ruler until 1961 and was also the last territory to gain freedom from foreign rule.  Therefore, this colonial past still shows presented through its architecture and culture. If you are interested in exploring Portuguese architecture, visit the cathedrals, forts, churches and Portuguese heritage home including, Menezes Braganza House and Sola Souto Maior- two of the most popular ones.  Villages of Ponda, Vasco and Chandor have several such Portuguese-style structures.

2. Shopping and Partying-    

If you love shopping and partying, Goa is undoubtedly, just the perfect place to do so.  Charge your battery to the full and enjoy till you drop. Although Goa has outlets of popular designer brands too but the flea markets of Goa are popular shopping venues. If you have known the art of bargaining, you can actually save a lot of money. You can shop for clothes, special knick-knacks, nuts, trance music CDs, spices and much more. These flea markets are popular to enjoy music and various kinds of performances by artists. Shopping in Goa can be loads of fun at Anjuana flea market, Ingo’s Saturday Night Market, The Friday Bazaar at Mapusa and so on.

The nightlife of Goa is simply amazing. Fondly referred to as a place that never sleeps, it has a number of nightclubs such as Tito’s and Mambo’s. Spend the night dancing, eating, drinking and enjoying the pulsating beats of the music. During the night, even the beach shacks are also perfect to enjoy the lively nightlife.

3. Exotic Wildlife-

Not many known that a major chunk of land in Goa are covered by forests. This state, along with the Philippines, Japan and the Himalayas, is one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. For the protection of exotic wildlife species of the region, the authorities have established a number of wildlife reserves, which are popular attractions too. During your tour to Goa, make it a point to visit - , Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary, Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Mollem National Park, Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary and Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary. 

4. Orgasmic food-

The local Goan food and the seafood is extremely popular amongst its visitors. The local food of Goa is rich in flavors and spices, and coconut is vastly used. Goan food like Sorpotel, Vindaloo, Sol-kadi has a unique taste to it. Do not miss relishing Feni, an extremely famous Goan drink which is made up of cashew nut. One can never forget the mouth-watering seafood delicacies, prepared from fresh catches- lobsters, tiger prawns, fish steaks and much more. Be it a street-side eatery to a posh restaurant, you can savor Goan local dishes and seafood everywhere.

5. World-popular beaches-

Goa has as many as 36 fascinating beaches, each having its own uniqueness.  Beaches in Goa can vaguely be segregated into North Goa beaches and South Goa beaches. While the beaches in North Goa such as Calangute, Anjuna, Baga, Candolim-are full of life, popular for offering excellent opportunities for water sports, on the other hand the beaches of South Goa like Colva, Majorda, and Palolem are perfect for those who like seclusion and to enjoy the scenic beauty. The sandy palm-fringed beaches of Goa are dotted with beach shacks serving sumptuous delicacies and a variety of beverages.

About the Author

Geetika Handa is a travel writer  who has an interest in sharing her experiences with all. She provides a detailed account of any travel topic she chooses to write on. You can get detailed information and tips about choosing the right kind of holiday packages in the country from her write-ups.

Explore the Best of Goa With Our Various Summer Goa Packages

Goa Trip a known brand that has been working hand in hands with Goa tourism are the best package providers for Goa Tourism. We have always worked to provide the finest tourism related services to our guests who are planning a trip to Goa. We are known among our client for pampering and spoiling them on their memorable vacation. Continuing with the legacy of serving our clients and providing them with the best Goa tour packages we  come with various hotels and resorts packages in Goa.

The additions have been made under the head of 5 star hotel packages, 4 star hotel packages and 3 star hotel packages. Under these heads one can find a detailed listing of various five , four and three star hotels that have recently come up with wonderful packages. Our direct association with the various vendors located in Goa help us in designing packages for you at a rate which is hard to believe.

We are committed  to establish a long-term relationship with all our guests and provide them with outstanding value in everything we offer. We have always surprised our clients with our tailor-made itineraries. Apart from this we provide our guests with airport/ railway station transfer , comprehensive meal plans and various peripherals.

Top 10 Attractions For Ideal Goa Winter Packages

The serene beaches are just one of the attractions that makes Goa a popular travel destination amidst the travelers all across the globe. The old churches and carnivals are also some of the attracting attributes that have made the state worth visiting. Goa is a paradise for fun lovers. Goa is altogether a different world to be explored with vibrant nightlife, beaches and cruises.

Goa is also a paradise for holidaymakers both nature and adventure enthusiast. The exotic flora and fauna of Goa also provides opportunity to spot crocodile and dolphins.

Here is a rundown of the top ten attractions that are worth visiting in Goa:

1. Beaches  in Goa

The calm beaches are exciting for the tourists looking for memorable beach vacation. Winter is probably the best time top visit Goa and enjoy the sandy beaches of Goa. As the temperature ranges between 21°C to 28°C, the beaches are tranquil during winters. Calangute beach is one of the best beaches to be explored in Goa.

 [Checkout Beaches in Goa]

2. Churches in Goa

Goa is praised for architectural brilliance that is almost 450 years old and reflect the Portuguese influence in the state. Among the list of the monuments, the churches in Goa are worth visiting. In the 1510, the Gothic style of architecture was introduced by the Portuguese and the same is used in the churches. Basilica of Bom Jesus, Church of St. Cajatan, St. Francis of Assini, and Church of Lady of Rosary are some of the important churches in Goa.

 [Checkout Churches in Goa]

3. Carnival in Goa:

Do not miss to join the colorful parades and carnivals of Goa. The state comes to life with the 3-day carnival. People dance to the music and celebrate with great show and grace. The Carnival celebration was also introduced by the Portuguese

 [Checkout Goa Carnival Tour Package]

4. Spice Plantations:

Spice farms are also one of the major attractions of Goa. The visitors get the opportunity to explore the rural regions of the state. Savoi Plantation, Sahakari Spice farm and  Pascol Spice village are the popular Spice plantations in Goa that attracts guests from all across the globe.

5. Anjuna Flea Market:

The Anjuna Flea Market is probably the best and lively market of Goa. The shoppers will find a huge array of goods to purchase and take them as souvenirs. During winters, every Wednesday this market is set with almost 500 stalls. Here, the guests could shop from morning to evening and buy commodities ranging from handicrafts to clothes and a lot more. The flea markets make the holidays in Goa highly memorable.

 [Checkout Anjuna FleaMarket]

6. Fort Aguada in Goa

According to the history of Goa, the Fort Aguada is of great architectural and historical significance. During winters, the travelers could visit the fort and enjoy the cool breezes. The ideal location of the fort, on the Sinquerim Beach overlooking the Arabian sea, has also attracted tourists from all across the globe to visit Goa.

 [Checkout Fort Aguada in Goa]

7. Lamgau Caves

Lamgau Caves are a must visit for the adventure lovers. The caves are very popular as the way to the caves from the Lamgau village provides excellent trek to the adventure lovers. Apart from trek, the artistic designs of the caves amaze the tourists visiting Goa from far flung regions.

8. Madei Wildlife Sanctuary

The variety of flora and fauna has made Goa a must visit travel destination for nature lovers. The Madei Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Sattari tequila  of North Goa. The sanctuary is spread over an area of 208 sq km, providing shelter for animals. Apart from animals, the sanctuary also provides shelter to various native and migratory birds.

 [Checkout More Wildlife Sanctuary in Goa]

9. Goa State Museum

If you are interested in knowing about the history of Goa, then the Goa State Museum is the perfect attraction to visit. The museum provides clear glimpses of the historical and cultural richness of the state. The museum is situated near the KTC bus stand in Panaji and is open from Monday to Friday.

 [Checkout Goa State Museum]

10. Panjim Bridge

The Panjim Bridge, joining the Betim Village with the Panjim city is very popular amidst the travelers. The bridge is also popular as Mandovi Bridge. Panjim Bridge is one of the attractions in the list of what to see in Goa.

Goa is a blissful destination to visit all round the year.  But during winters, Goa has its unique colors to showcase through pleasant climatic conditions, carnivals, feasts and festivals. There are special Goa winter packages available from the reliable tour operators and agents. These packages include excursions to various popular attractions of Goa, accommodation, and lot more.

[To know about best deals on Goa hotels Click Here.]

10 Goan Dishes Suggested By Five Star Chefs!

The Goan population is very emotional when it comes to dining, siesta time and drinking. The specialty of the Goan food is tangy, spicy and non-vegetarian. The main ingredients of any Goan delicacy are coconut, seafood, traditional spices and rice. The delicacies are highly influenced by the erstwhile Portuguese colonialism. Authentically, the Goan delicacies are extremely fiery, but to make them apt for western palate, the dishes are watered down. Here is a rundown of top 10 Goan delicacies that are not to be missed while being on a Goa trip.

Sorpotel

Pork is the main ingredient of this spicy delicacy. Sorpotel is one of the popular Goan dishes. This is also very popular amidst non-vegetarians.

Ambotik

Ambotik is suggested for fish lovers. The recipe is tangy, spicy and tasty and too tempting that it attracts tourists to visit Goa frequently. This sour curry could also be prepared with meat.

Vindaloo

This cuisine gets its name from Portuguese term ‘vinho e alho’ meaning ‘garlic and wine’ in English. Vindaloo is a dish prepared using garlic and wine marinade.

Sol Kadi

Sol Kadi is either taken as an appetizer or along with food. This recipe is a mixture of sour and spicy kokum fruit and coconut. Sol Kadi is best when served cold.

Xacuti

Xacuti is a Goan curry prepared with beef or chicken, cooked with various traditional spices and roasted grated coconut. Xacuti is praised for its distinctive and amazing flavor.

Cafrial

Cafrial is prepared with chicken, marinated in a sauce made of garlic, ginger and chilies. After marinating, the chicken is shallow fried. Cafrial is very fiery in taste.

Fried Fish

Pomfret is the popular fish in Goa. Pomfret is fried with various traditional spices. Fried Fish tastes best when served hot.

Goan Curry

Goan Prawn/Fish Curry is best accompanied with traditionally steamed rice. The curry is loved for its distinct spicy and sour flavor. The curry is sizzling hot due to use of traditional spices.

Bebinca

Bebinca is tempting due to its wonderful texture. This pudding is prepared from the mixture of a layer upon layer made of plain flour, clarified butter (ghee), sugar, coconut milk, egg yolk, and almond slivers to garnish.

Feni

Feni, clear and strong brewed, is the local drink of Goa. This drink is either prepared from the juice of the cashew apple or coconut.

Wanderlust at the Pristine Beaches in Goa

Well it was almost a couple of years since I took a break from my hectic schedules. So, this year I decided to go for a vacation to Goa with my family. The idea behind picking Goa was simple as the city can be whatever you want it to be. For those looking for adventure, road or cruise trip Goa is one stop destination that offers all this. While couples can enjoy the peace of isolated beaches, the Shopaholics’ can shop at the ever busy of Goa situated closely to the seashores. Enjoy a frantic night life at the beach parties and night clubs.  Though these are only a few of the reasons but surely the most sizable which makes Goa figures among India’s popular destinations.

If Goa can offer all this on an average day one can only image what it could be like on an Easter celebration? With all those stunning churches and a fully charged-up Christian population all this makes for a big party. Having packed our bag and baggage we left for Goa via air.

After arriving Goa, we settled at Goa Beach Resorts present in North Goa which was located in the close proximity of the pristine beaches. The coastline begins from the Aguada Fort cliff and is spread up north towards the border of Maharashtra. The beaches like Calangute, Baga, Vagator, Anjuna, Senquerim and Miramar are the major beaches covered in the North Goa circuit. The beaches in Goa are just perfect for sunbathing, water sports or to simply spend some time in solitude. North Goa beaches await party animals and sunbathers. 

We spent our most of the time at the Calangute beach in Goa. It is famed as the 'Queen of beaches' and is located at a distance of a mere 15 km from the capital city of Panaji. The beach elucidates true Goan lifestyle. It is crowded with both Indian and international travelers engaged in the alluring scenery and the throbbing festivities present at the beach.  We enjoyed our time at this beautiful beach located in North Goa by indulging in exhilarating scuba diving, thrills of wind surfing along with a series of fun filled water sports. 

Then we left for Candolim beach to visit the Anjuna beach. This is one of the highly commercialized beaches of Goa. It makes for a perfect choice for adventure-enthusiasts, fun-lovers and Shopaholics. This beach was very famous among hippies in the sixties and seventies and still remains the first choice for beach party lovers, various cultural events and music shows. The major highlight of this beach is Wednesday Flea Market.

Next we choose to visit was the Candolim beach, rightly called a foodie’s delight. The beach offers a fine dining place with friends and family as it is dotted with a large number of restaurants offering mouth watering seafood. This is not all as this beach of Goa offers a stunning panorama, fascinating culture shows and exciting adventure to its visitors. The beach remains less crowded making it the perfect halt for peace-seekers and romantic couples. 

Lastly we headed to Palolem beach, one of the best beaches in Goa. The lush green hills, shady palm trees and the gleaming golden sand makes for the serene surrounding of the beach and is a remarkable treat for nature –lovers and photographers. The exotic beach resorts of Goa present near this beach add more to the fascinating scenery. It is an ideal escape for anyone looking forward for a relaxing holiday while sitting in the lap of nature.


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Author Bio:

Deepam Sharma is a travel writer with a keen interest in writing about incredible destinations. Her write-ups are detailed and comprising of all relevant details that could accommodate. All write-ups are written after thorough research with a blend of creative writing that will make you travel along.