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Tuesday 31 December 2013

Panaji, Vasco and Velha- Take Your Pick For a Pleasurable Goa Vacations

One of the most whimsical tourist destinations in India, Goa attracts a large chunk of Indian and overseas travelers to its shores. The tiny Indian state is famous for its breathtaking beaches, colorful festivals, thrilling nightlife, wildlife, historic monuments and adventure sports. The three popular tourist places in Goa where tourists flock in large numbers include Panaji, Vasco Da Gama and Velha. Let's take a look on what these 3 destinations have to offer to the tourists.

Panaji Goa

The capital city of Goa, Panaji is a great place to kick start your sightseeing in this tiny Indian state. It is situated on the left bank of the Mandovi river and has several buildings designed in Portuguese colonial style. Some popular attractions in this city include the Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, Mahalakshmi temple and the Jama Masjid. If you love bird watching, you can visit the famous Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, located in the Chorao village near Panaji. For beach enthusiasts, the city is home to three languid beaches- Miramar, Bambolim and Dona Paula.

Vasco Goa

Named after the famous Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama, Vasco is the place where a large number of tourists visit to experience the scattered charm of nature in the form of sand, sea and surf. It is a famous industrialized town in Goa and home to an important sea port. The major attractions of this place include Bogmalo Beach, Mormugao Port, Pilot Point and Naval Aviation Museum.

Velha Goa

If you want to observe Portuguese and Christian influence on Goa from close quarters, Velha or Old Goa is the best bet available. The town is scattered with a large number of churches and cathedrals that offers a sneak peek into the Portuguese past. Some famous attractions of this place include Basilica of Bomb Jesus, Church of St. Francis of Assissi and Se Cathedral.

All said and written, now it's up to you to choose what suits your requirements the most for a comfortable and pleasurable travel to Goa.

Friday 13 December 2013

For Best Accommodation Facilities, Check out the Top 5 Hotels in North Goa!

A tour to Goa is unfinished if one does not travel to North Goa. The town is known mainly for its hardcore night life and is the party zone of Goa.

With a number of sandy beaches, swaying palm trees, magnificent churches, heritage forts, Trance music, Goan cuisines and warm people, the district makes for a spectacular destination for tourists.

For the accommodation of large number of tourists who visit the town each day, there are several amazing hotels in Goa that serve the travelers with all their basic needs.

With a stay in any of the hotels in this happening state of India, it is guaranteed that one will not be disappointed.

Given below is a list of 5 of the best hotels in North Goa:

1- DoubleTree by Hilton Goa
Star Rating: 5
No. of Rooms: 104
Dining: Flame (multi-cuisine restaurant), Coba (Grill food, seafood and alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks), Caffeine (Coffee shop)

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Goa, located near Baga beach is one of the Best 5 Star Luxury Hotels in North Goa. The hotel  is known for offering amazing views of lagoons in Arpora area. With a stay in this hotel, tourists can go to Ingo's Saturday night market for fun and shopping activity or they can also go to Anjuna hippie market which is opened each Wednesday. OR they can simply relax at Baga beach. The hotel is ideal for lazing around, especially with swimming pool and sun terrace. Business travelers, after a tiring day at hotel’s business center, will love coming back to their modern Mediterranean style rooms.


2- Cidade De Goa
Star Rating: 5
No. of Rooms: 206
Dining: Alfama (multi-cuisine restaurant), Cafe Azul (multi-cuisine restaurant) and Laranja (multi-cuisine restaurant), Barbeque (Grill food), Docaria (Coffee shop), Taverna (Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages) and Bar Latino (Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages)

This North Goa Beach hotel brags about several accolades it has won over the years including Best Live Entertainment and Best Bar in Times Nightlife Awards, Best Grills/Best BBQ and Best World cuisine in Times Food Awards and has also won the prestigious Tripadvisor’s Certificate of Excellence 2013. These awards certify that hotel is excellent when it comes to offering guests an ideal holiday retreat.


3- Neelam's The Grand
Star Rating: 4
No. of Rooms: 150
Dining: Pan Global (International cuisines), Sports Bar (Alcoholic and non-alcoholic bar) and Coffee House (Coffee shop)

This is one of the best hotels in the district which is designed to provide tourists with a space where they can get relieved from their tensions and can simply unwind. The guests particularly enjoy at the beach resort and the free breakfast served in this hotel. And the entertainment district here is just perfect for youngsters. Hotel’s proximity to Calangute Beach, Baga Beach and Anjuna Beach, Calangute Market and Candolim Beach makes it the first choice for every tourist.


4- Vivanta by Taj
Star Rating: 5
No. of Rooms: 170
Dining: Latitude (Multi-cuisine restaurant), Morisco (Seafood Restaurant), II Camino (Italian restaurant), SFX (Alcoholic and non-alcoholic bar) and Martini Bar (Alcoholic and non-alcoholic bar)

Vivanta by Taj in Goa is located in the serene surroundings, just nearby the very famous Fort Aguada. The hotel is known for her spectacular architecture which is done in traditional Goan Portuguese style. The furnishings in the hotel rooms are pulsating and very sophisticated.  The spectacle is increased with the pristine waters of Sinquerim beach below. The stunning Balinese landscapes with tall palm trees and appealing views of Arabian Sea lures tourists from every corner to this 5-star hotel.


5- Grand Hyatt Goa
Star Rating: 5
No. of Rooms: 315
Dining: The Verandah (Grill food), The Dining Room (multi-cuisine restaurant), Chulha (Indian Restaurant), Confeitaria (Coffee Shop), Bay View Lounge (Alcoholic and non-alcoholic bar), Capiz Bar (Alcoholic and non-alcoholic bar) and Pool Bar and Grill (Grill food, seafood and alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks)

28-acre living space; 314 accommodation facilities; seven dining facilities; 34,000 sq. ft. spa; numerous swimming pools; what more can one ask from his hotel in Goa. The hotel architecture is simply spectacular which is designed strictly according to seventeenth-century Indo-Portuguese Viceregal style. The sight of the hotel grounds at night with all lights glowing outside is simply spectacular. The tourists will particularly enjoy themselves at the pool or on the nearby beach where the guests can indulge in sailing, yoga and colonial sightseeing activities.

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Thursday 5 December 2013

Get Ready To Spend A Memorable Winter Holiday In Goa

If you talk about ultimate winter sun destination in India, Goa is an undoubted name to be mentioned on the list. The picturesque backdrop, including palm-fringed beaches, rosy Arabian Sea sunsets and coconut trees, make it the perfect destination to relax and enjoy in winter. Apart from the beaches in Goa, in the interiors of the state lies a fascinating world of Portuguese heritage, historical monuments, Hindu temples, and wildlife. Here are some of the enticing tourist attractions in Goa to allure you to get off the sun-lounger.

Beaches

Beaches mark the identity of the state. There are about 22 beaches altogether in North and South Goa. Some of the popular beaches to visit are Baga, Anjuna, Bambolim, Cavelossim, Palolem, Varca, Colva, Morjim, Dona Paula, and many more. Some of the beaches are best known for trance parties, lively shacks and water sports, etc. Additionally, Goa also features some private beaches where visitors can spend some time in solitude.

Mangrove Forests & Birds

 The Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, named after the ‘bird man of India’, Dr. Salim Ali, is a paradise for nature and bird lovers. This bird sanctuary could be reached via a short ferry ride (30 min) from Ribander, located close to Panaji. The visitors can spot beautiful birds, such as herons, black drongos, mudskippers, etc., amidst the cool, calm mangroves & marshes. The wildlife here features flying foxes and crocodiles. The winter months are the best time to visit the sanctuary as the visitors can spot various migratory and native birds in the sanctuary.

Spice Farms

Spices are the major attribute of Indian culinary delights. Sahakari Spice Farm, sprawled over an area of 130 acre, is a popular feature in tours to Goa and to know more about the pungent spices. Upon arrival, before being guided through the rows of guava, jackfruit, mango, pineapple and papaya, lemongrass tea is served for the guests. Through the guided tour, the visitors come to know about the story of how cloves, cardamom, nutmeg, and curry leaves are farmed and grown. The long walks may be tiresome for little kids. There also are on-site shops that sell fresh spices and oils, which the guests can buy as gifts and souvenirs for friends and family.

Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary
Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary is a must-visit in Goa as it features botanical garden, zoo and exotic wildlife in a single platter. Among the attractions of the sanctuary, the collection of mythological Hindu sculptures on-site is also a must visit as it is said to be mysteriously discovered during the construction of gardens. There are about 100 different species of birds found along with Sambar deer, Black Giant squirrel, Indian bison, Indian Peafowl and snakes. To make the trip an exciting vacation, the guests could opt for elephant rides in the afternoon. Please note that some attractions of the sanctuary, such as Deer Park, are closed on a Thursday.

Churches
The small Indian state, Goa was under the influence of Portuguese for almost 450 years. The culture, food, people, structures, etc., all reflect the charm of old-world. Moreover, there also are numerous churches that are designed according to the Gothic style of architecture. Some of the popular churches in Goa are Basilica of Bom Jesus, Convent and Church of St Francis of Assisi, Church of Our Lady of Miracles, Church of St Cajetan, etc. During the time of feasts and festivals, there are special mass prayers and processions carried.

A Visit To Ancestral Goa
In the inner regions of Goa, there are numerous colonial mansions, which date to the 17th century. If the guests intend to explore the old-world colonial charm of Goa, Chandor (15km from Margao) is the best village to visit. In this village, the Braganza House is open to the public and provides the glimpse of the luxurious lifestyle of the colonial landlords. The house features Italian marble walls & flooring, and Belgian & Chinese Porcelain chandeliers, which adorn the beauty of the house. Loutolim is again another attraction in Goa to witness the colonial charm of Goa. Here, Ancestral Goa is an open-air theme park, which was designed by Goan artist, Maendra J. Alvares. The park features a miniature of a Goan village. India’s longest laterite sculpture, Saint Mirabai, is also featured here along with different highlights depicting colonial influence in Goan culture.

Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary
Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1969 with the motive to protect the isolated jungle forest strip. The sanctuary is spread over an area of 85 km and at a distance of 10 km east of Chaudi. The 2nd largest sanctuary in Goa features thick vegetation, which at times makes it difficult for the visitors to spot timid & rare animals, such as flying squirrel, Indian pangolin, four-horned antelope, slender loris, mouse deer, etc. Here, the visitors can also spot the tallest trees of Goa, which stretch to about 30 m. The best time to visit the sanctuary is November or December.

Shopping
For the shopping spree, Goan markets are best to be explored. Right from the street markets to upscale shopping complexes, there are numerous options to shop for some exclusive commodities from Goa. Some of the major markets in Goa are Anjuna Flea Market, MMC New Market, New Municipal Market, Mapusa Market, Glastonbury Street, Street Stalls, etc. These feature beautiful handicrafts and artifacts that could be purchased as souvenirs and gifts for those at home.   

For visitors from all parts of the globe, Goa has excellent accommodation facility to meet the personal preferences. There also are tour operators, who specialize in offering Goa hotel packages to ensure a comfortable and memorable accommodation in Goa. Along with touring, do not miss to tantalize your taste buds with authentic Goan delicacies served at various small and upscale restaurants in Goa.

To get the best deals on budget, star and luxury hotels in Goa Click Here.



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