Make Your Holidays In Goa Memorable With These Simple Suggestions

Holidays in Goa are the sought-after one, may it be for family trips, group of friends or the newlyweds. The elements like the sun-kissed beaches, gothic churches, colorful markets, colonial-style accommodations, amazing nightlife, etc., make Goa a perfect holiday destination and thus, a different world for the visitors. This state of India experiences huge footfall from other parts of India as well as across the globe. To make your vacations the most memorable one, here are some simple suggestions that you could consider while your Goa trip.

Where to Stay?

If you are looking for accommodation in North Goa, Aashyana Lakhanpal and Nilaya Hermitage are the options you could go for. The Aashyana Lakhanpal is situated in proximity to Candolim beach and is one of the most peaceful properties where one could enjoy a relaxing stay. On the other hand, the Nilaya Hermitage is a boutique hotel, appreciated for its well-appointed rooms, modern facilities and exceptional services. The location of the hotel, i.e., between the Anjuna and Baga beaches, in Arpora, also makes this hotel ideal for the tourists looking for a relaxing and rejuvenating vacation in Goa.

Park Hyatt Resort and Spa Goa

In South Goa, the Taj Exotica is one of the best star beachside hotels, which is praised for its location being spread over an area of 56-acres of lush garden. This hotel offers a complete luxurious stay as there are various modern, business as well as recreational facilities available. Apart from this, The Leela is also the best luxury stay that you could opt for during your visit in Goa. The private beach is one of the attractive features of this hotel. The guests could also opt for Park Hyatt for a comfortable and memorable stay.

Where to Eat?

In North Goa, Fiesta in Baga is one of the most popular restaurants, where the guests could savor on the Portuguese cuisines. The newlyweds could visit the Indo-French Le Poisson Rouge to spend a romantic evening. Do not miss to relish carpaccio starters, beef filet steak, etc. If you have chosen Nilaya Hermitage for accommodation, Baba Au Ruhm is the popular French patisserie where you could enjoy the best pizzas and pain-au-chocolats.

Sun and Moon restaurant is simply the best place to visit to taste some of the delectable cuisines, if you are staying in South Goa. Casa Surita Restaurant in the Hyatt is also the place where you could savor Goan food. If you have selected Taj Exotica for your accommodation, you could also enjoy Oriental food at the Li Bai Restaurant.

Where to Party?

North Goa is regarded as the home of legendary nightlife. Tito's Lane is very popular in Baga. The Cabana is also another club that is situated in Arpora. Cosmopolitan crowd and a pool make Cabana club worth visiting. The amazing nightlife is also the major contributor to the incredible growth in Goa tourism.

In south Goa, if you are staying at Hyatt, you could enjoy an amazing nightlife at the Praia de Luz Lounge Bar. Well-stocked humidor and 106 wine labels make this place a perfect location for an exclusive evening. At The Leela, Aqua Disco-Lounge is the place where the guests could enjoy the perfect mix of modern and traditional décor styles. Apart from this, lighting laser experience and impressive music make this place a perfect evening hotspot. Bar 9 at Vagator Beach is also the perfect venue for the guest looking for an evening dancing some of the exclusive numbers played by some of the best DJs.

Goa Has It All to Make for a Splendid Family Vacation

Many people don’t consider India as a great destination for a family vacation. The reason they sought in support of this notion is the dubious standards of sanitation, unfavorable weather conditions and polluted cities. But let me tell you that being born and brought up in India, cultural values like relationships, group harmony and family orientation are cultivated in Indians at a very early age. Visiting India for a family vacation allows you to learn some cultural values that wouldn't be troublesome to imbibe as a family. 

Goa poses as an ideal family holiday destination in India. It makes for a popular pick for the families for its Golden beaches, silvery sand, water sports, lively atmosphere, beautiful Gothic churches and exotic wildlife. It seems as if Goa is ‘the destination’ for all age groups. Another feature that works in the favor Goa is that being here you won’t feel obligated to run from one monument to another. Book holiday Goa tour packages in advance as a lot of tourist visit Goa from every corner of the world. 

On reaching Goa, reserve a day for a visit to its pristine beaches as no other state in India offers a chain of thirty-six sandy and magnificent beaches. While exploring these mesmerizing beaches, indulge in water sports like para-sailing, toboggan ski biscuit, yachting, sport fishing, swimming, snorkeling and harpoon fishing. Enjoy and rejuvenate your soul by enjoying the scenic views scattered around and the sun painting tan of your body.   

A unique fact related to the history of Goa is that Portuguese ruled this place for more than 450 years and the landscapes of Goa were under the influence of English for over 250 years. Being the first state to be ruled by the Europeans and the last to be released, it features a potpourri of traditional Indian and Portuguese culture. The churches of Goa add further to its unique charm. These churches feature a great fusion of Catholic and Portuguese architectural styles. Some of the churches of Goa are also recognized as World Heritage Sites. 

Do not miss visiting Asia’s largest church, the St. Cathedral Church. The church features five huge bells of which one is known as the Golden Bell since it is made of an alloy of gold and some other metals. Also visit the Basilica of Bom Jesus, built in the honor of the infant Jesus. Admire the beautiful inlay work and frescoes that add to the beauty of the Church. Another significant church to be visited in Goa is the Church of St. Francis of Assissi. The interiors of the church display beautiful paintings of Hindu temple structures. The church reflects the perfect combination of Tuscan and Mosaic-Corinthian architectural styles.

Trip to Goa is not just about beaches and churches, one can also enjoy wildlife adventure. There are three main wildlife sanctuaries in Goa including Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary, Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary and the Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary. These sanctuaries serve as a habitat for exotic wildlife species and a visit to them is definitely going to make your tour memorable. Moreover, the best part is that some of the most popular hotels of Goa are located in close proximity to these wildlife sanctuaries. 

So  enjoy exploring Goa if not for the top cultural values that you'd consider India as an ideal family holiday destination, but  for the fact that there is endless fun, adventure and relaxation here.

Explore Goa With An Enjoyable Stay At The Leela, Goa

If you are not an armchair traveler and love to explore places in person then this is a must read for you. On my Goa vacation I was not only interested in visiting the lively and fun filled city for its magnificent sandy beaches, silvery sands and captivating views running along the coastal lines but also in exploring the beautiful Goa hotels. The luxury hotels in Goa are undoubtedly some of the best properties in India. Relaxing and rejuvenating those jaded muscles after days of strenuous work schedule was the schema of my vacation. Goa features an embodiment of luxury which makes even the basic properties of Goa designed in a manner that ensures guests to enjoy relaxed living close to nature’s bounty.

Being the hub of activities it features a wealth of natural splendor, a fiesta of colorful festivities, colonial lineage and the music revels in profusion. So whether it is the thrill of water that attracts one or the fervor of being touched by caressing winds on the magnificent beaches (the reason for my being here) that pulls you towards the town you are well taken care off at the five star hotels present in Goa.

Beaches in Goa

I decide to stay in the Leela Goa which is located minutes away and is tucked away from the hub of the city life. This luxury hotel has Sal, the quaint fishing village as its neighbor. As I entered the hotel I was spellbound see the unique fusion of South Indian architecture with the Portuguese heritage. When you walk through this magnificent property spread across 75 acres the king style abode reveals it you for aficionados of luxury living. The 185 luxurious rooms sport impeccably fashioned contemporary décor and exude homely warmth. My room was elegantly furnished and featured a balcony overlooking the lagoon. It also had facilities like satellite TV, minibar and CD players. En suite bathrooms come with a bathtub and hairdryer. After resting for a while in the cozy comfort of the room, I walked out of the room to explore the luxury hotel. The premises are surrounded by garden and blue lagoons and facilitate 12-hole golf course, outdoor pool and a 24-hour casino.

The Leela Goa Hotel

After exploring this majestic hotel property I head forward for the lunch. The Leela Goa offers seven food and beverage options served in buffet style while the cuisines ranging from local Indian dishes to Italian food.  All the food here is prepared under expert supervision and served at the most chic restaurants. After the lunch I decided to enjoy an Ayurvedic massage and yoga sessions at the spa. My evening was to be spent on a sunset cruise arranged by the Leela concierge. Another thing I enjoyed during my stay at the Leela Goa was attending a game of tennis at their tennis court and try my hands on pottery at their pottery making classes. The staff was extremely cordial and knew what they were doing. The way they take care of their guests make them get back sooner than they actually would have thought of.  In all, the place did full justice to the name “VACATION”.

Written by Geetika Handa

Goa’s Pristine Beaches – The Soul & Heart of Goa Tourism

The list of attractions that make Goa a popular destination for the tourists is simply unending. Outpacing the other attractions, the pristine beaches mark a distinctive identity of the state. The beautiful sun-kissed beaches, adorned with swaying coconut trees and popular restaurants, are simply perfect to spend a blissful vacation. Beach vacations to Goa are ideal to be spent with family, friends or special one. Moreover, the thatched houseboats, exotic resorts, fishing nets, and many other elements play an important role in making Goa vacations memorable for the tourists all across the globe. Here is a short description provided for the popular beaches of Goa.

          Calangute Beach: To enjoy a lively atmosphere, visit the Calangute beach. This beach hustles and bustles with guests all round the year. This beach has a unique beauty and charm that attracts guests from all across the world. For facilitating proper accommodation, there are various resorts and hotels having proximity to this beach. Thus, you need to spend a vacation here to get the real reason behind the Calangute beach being popular as ‘Queen of Beaches’.

         Baga Beach: The natural setting makes this beach a sought after holiday spot for the tourists visiting Goa. This beach stretches to the length of 30 km, providing options for various things to enjoy and see.  You may spend hours here taking sun-bath and also to take pleasure in various water sports and activities.

           Candolim Beach: With proximity with Panjim, this beach has resulted in huge footfall. Candolim beach is worth visiting as this beach serves the guests looking for tour theses like honeymoon, adventure or nature trail. Here, you may also take pleasure in various water sports like water skiing and parasailing. 

           Colva Beach: In Goa, this is one of the popular beaches. This beach is 20 km long and the visitors can see white sand all around. Further, there are all facilities like resorts, restaurants, markets, etc., available that make the trip of the guests highly comfortable, luxurious and full of delight.  

           Benaulim Beach: During weekends, Benaulim Beach witnesses tourists as well as local visitors. This beautiful coastline is simply amazing to spend a delightful Goa holidays. One could also find typical handicrafts that reflect the Goan culture and also rosewood furniture that have a strong association with Benaulim. You may also purchase the, as souvenirs.

Apart from these, Goa is full of big and small beaches that are worth visiting for one of the other reasons. Due to beautiful and amazing beaches, Goa is popular as ‘Rome of the East’ or ‘Pearl of the Orient’. You visit with family or friends or the special one is certainly going to be the best one so far if you choose for a Goa delight tour package, and find resorts and hotels near to the beach.

GoaTrip offers great deals and discounts on various Family packages. Also available are specially designed family vacations and holidays, which provide the best deals for a family visit to Goa. 

5 Major Reasons That Make Goa Must-Visiting During Summer

When you plan to spend your summer vacation in Goa, the activities in which you may get indulge in are: visit beaches, sightseeing tour, enjoy adventurous water sports, be a part of amazing nightlife, taste delectable Goan delicacies, and leisure time at your hotel.

But, think again. Is this just enough to make your summer a pleasant and memorable one? Do keep in mind, Goa is hot and very humid during summer. Don’t get disheartened, here are the top 5 reasons that will not only encourage you to chose Goa as your destination but also help you to enjoy the best summer vacation in Goa.

REASON #1: Super Economical

If you ask me, this is one of the major factors that compel me to choose Goa as the destination for summer vacations. Here, during summers, ranging from flight tickets, to hotel bookings, sightseeing tours, delicious food, and shopping is very inexpensive. There also are lucrative deals and discounts available during summer. You may enjoy parties, sightseeing tours, visit beaches, etc., all at highly reduced price.

REASON #2: Shopping Extravaganza

Now this is something I die for. The shopping in Goa is simply amazing. There are markets near beaches and also in the town. The commodities available there have a unique Goan flavor and as per my experience, you are going to get confused when it comes to choosing one between two articles. Arguments and bargaining are simply not the thing during summer. All the commodities itself are available at bargain prices. 

REASON #3: More Fun, More Solitude

Well, during the summer season there is relatively less number of tourists, thus, you could enjoy the serenity of the place and also have ultimate fun. You will not find the bustling crowd during summer and thus, also enjoy sightseeing tour at its best. Secluded beaches are just perfect for the sight of dawn and dusk.

REASON #4: Parasailing

How could you miss this? Goa in summer is just the perfect destination to enjoy the adventure of parasailing. You may also participate in some of the amazing water sports in Goa. Due to the summer, the prices are very low and thus, this makes Goa the best destination to have fun in spite of the scorching sun.

REASON #5: Camera’s Day Out

Last but not the least, as the streets and the places of interests are not crowded, you can get some of the perfect pictures clicked that you could further cherish. You will have ample of time to decide your location and pose for the perfect picture.

So, what do you have to say now for the idea of summer vacation in Goa? The things to do in Goa are only possible during summer as you can cherish every moment and that too at unbelievable prices. In case you have been looking for summer discounts on Goa tour packages.

Goa Honeymoon Tour to Celebrate Love in Goa

Viewing the miraculous sight of dusk at the sun kissed beaches of Goa, with your loved one, is certainly going to spark the light of romance. For the newlyweds, a perfect honeymoon would be getting lost on a small land adorned with palm trees, sparkling blue water and white sand. Without the second thought, Goa is just the perfect destination one could think of to celebrate the new beginning of a married life. Barefoot walks along the beaches, visit to Gothic churches and historical structures, enjoying amazing nightlife, exploring colorful markets and lavish stay at one of the deluxe Hotels in Goa, are the elements that add to the treasured memories of your Goa honeymoon tour.

Romantic Couple

Stretched along the coastline of Goa, there are 39 beaches in total where you could enjoy with your partner. Some of the serene beaches that you could check out are Vagator, Baga, Anjuna, Colva, and Calangute. When you are here, you may take pleasure in various water activities (http://www.goatrip.com/travel-guide/entertainment/water-sports-adventure.html) and spend quality time with your partner. You may also spend time in visiting places like Mulgaon temples, Dudhsagar waterfalls, ancient Goa churches and Mayem Lake. Goa also has abundant to offer to the newlyweds, who wish to add the element of adventure to their tour. Thus, various wildlife sanctuaries are available where one could enjoy animal safari and also take pleasure in watching multihued native as well as migratory birds.

Vagator Beach Goa

For a complete experience of cherished honeymoon, various deluxe hotels also provide honeymoon packages. You may opt for Goa Marriott, Presa di Goa Country House, The Leela, Taj Exotica, and similar for accommodation. Here, your honeymoon package gets an additional element of luxury and comfort. Thereafter, adding adventure to your trip, you may opt for snorkeling, scuba diving and various other activities. To spend more quality time with your loved one, you may enjoy authentic Goan delicacies and perfect picked wines at these hotels, while your stay and celebrate love in Goa.

The Leela Goa Hotel

While being on your honeymoon tour in Goa, take pleasure in the natural setting of the place. At the beaches take out time to enjoy the paradisiacal view of sunrise or sunset. For a relaxing evening, you may savor vindaloo with local cashew liquor feni.  Also enjoy the traditional Goan delicacies, served at nearby food joints or restaurants. Thus, enjoy the Portuguese influence as you visit the Gothic churches, and other architectural structures. Goa is certainly a perfect detonation that newlyweds could opt for a perfect honeymoon as they find abundant of attractions to explore and numerous things to do. Above all, the best thing that the honeymooners could enjoy is the monsoon and celebration of love along with having best time of life. With Goa honeymoon tour (http://www.goatrip.com/goa-tour-packages/goa-honeymoon-tour.html), you get to explore the vividness of the place along with enjoying amazing sightseeing, and colorful nightlife.

Goa Honeymoon Photo Gallery 

 

Written by Geetika Handa

Top 5 Exotic Places to Stay in Goa

Goa has a lot to offer to its guest, all round the year. The Portuguese influence makes the states a sought-after destination for the tourists looking for vacations for sightseeing and nature trail. The private beaches, great shopping, full moon parties, boutique hotels, etc., add to the character of the state. Therefore, the churches and cuisines reflect the Portuguese colonial impact. Here mentioned are top 5 exotic places that you could opt for accommodation during your visit to Goa.

1.    Fort Tiracol Heritage Hotel (Tiracol, Pernem, Goa)

The splendid heritage hotel, erstwhile fort, is one of the best locations one should consider for accommodation in Goa. Apart from the miraculous location, the towering stuccoed church and 7 bedrooms facing to the sea also add to the attractive elements of the heritage hotel. The saffron textiles, black iron furniture and wicker also add to the grace of Fort Tiracol Heritage Hotel.

2.    Panchavatti Guesthouse Retreat (Corjeum Island, Aldona, Goa)

On the Corjuem Island, 1 hour drive from Dabolim airport is the Panchavatti Guesthouse Retreat, which offers a luxurious stay in the lap of nature. The hotel showcases the perfect mix of Indo-Portuguese style of architecture. The hacienda-style house with cloister-like, open-sided terraces and doors to grand, airy rooms are some of the elements of the hotel making it perfect for the newlyweds during their Goa honeymoon tour. 

3.    Park Hyatt Goa Resort & Spa (Arossim Beach, Cansaulim, Goa)

Park Hyatt Goa Resort & Spa is about a distance of 30 minutes from the airport and is located between Arossim and Utorda beaches. Sprawled over an area of 45 acres of land, the resort is an ideal destination considered by the visitors wishing for a luxurious stay along with exotic Goa tour packages. Therefore, this heritage resort is also praised for its radical design. The elements like Sereno Spa, mosaic-tiled lotus pools, and floating candles at night in the pool, make the resort a sought-after choice of the tourists.

4.    Pousada Tauma (Porba Vaddo, Calangute, Goa)

Pousada Tauma has 13 individual suites, around a small pool that is surrounded by a tropical garden of ginger flowers, frangipani and birds of paradise. The interiors of the hotel reflect the Portuguese influence.  The detailing of the hotel is exemplary and there are modern facilities and services provided to the guests to make the stay pleasurable.

5.    Taj Exotica (Calwaddo, Benaulim, Goa)

To complete the list of top hotels in Goa, the Taj Exotica is a compulsion. A hotel with 39 deluxe bedrooms, 93 private villas, and view of white-sand beach, make it a perfect location for the tourists from far flung regions to stay. Additionally, five restaurants serving Mediterranean, Chinese and Goan delicacies, are also the tourist attracting elements. The Hotel is also appreciated for its world-class facilities and services.

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