Online Travel Guide

The state of Goa in India, was a Portuguese colony until 1962, and is famous for its Indo-Portuguese culture and architecture. Goa’s beaches reflect its colourful mosaic of history.

The combination of the “sosegãdo” or laid back lifestyle, bracing weather and Goa’s carnival-like nightlife has been known to lure many into a psychedelic trance.

As you vacation in Goa and feel the soft sand beneath your feet, you’ll find that there is no place like a warm, inviting beach in Goa to make you feel at peace with the universe.

Since we usually stay at my parents’ flat at Monte-de-Guirim, near Mapusa, the only time we check into a hotel or resort is when we don’t have our own transport and want to spend more time at the beach. The transport in Goa being what it is, its always better to have your own car or bike.

I love to spend my Goa holiday gorging on the local crab, king prawns and typical Goan delicacies like chicken rechãdo and xãcuti. I also make it a point to visit my aunt’s house in Mapusa, where she always has a delicious plate of fresh oyster deep fried in rava ready for me.

The local brews, like cashew and coconut “feni,” with their strong aroma, are definitely not for the faint of heart (or stomach). If you visit in the right season, you can sample the local “Urak,” a lighter and sweeter-smelling distillate of feni.

How to get there: You can take a cheap flight to Goa from Bombay (Mumbai). The more adventurous can opt for an eight-hour trip to Goa by Konkan railway or a sixteen-hour bus journey from Mumbai.

Where to stay: Beach resorts and budet hotels are numerous, and accomodation is often included when you opt for a cheap Goa holiday package or tour.