HOLIDAYS TO GOA

It was a colony of Portugal for more than 400 years and those influences are intertwined with Indian culture to bring you a unique paradise. The 66-mile coastline plays host to a laid-back atmosphere as the Arabian Sea laps onto India’s western coastline and attracts two million tourists each and every year.

To the beach!

Goa is best known for its 36 beaches. The north is very popular among tourists and better for a lively beach party destination while the south adopts the quiet and calm approach and is perfect for a romantic picnic, a little paddling and just getting away from it all.

Three of the best beaches are:

• Palolem – This stretch crescent beach was a hidden gem 15 years ago but has slowly but surely become a magnet for holidaymakers. It’s a spectacular spot with increasing development but still keeps a low-key nightlife.
• Agonda – A quieter beach, north of Palolem, it boasts beautiful views for postcard-perfect photos and while the sea isn’t ideal for a swim it is an perfect setting for a romantic, sunset walk.
• Patnem – Found to the south of Palolem, this is a small, friendly and quiet option. The beach is characterised with the backdrop of various shacks, where you can sometimes find live music in the evenings.

East-meets-West

Relating to the fact that Goa was a solitary outpost of Portugal for hundreds of years, many refer to the region in this manner. The crumbling architecture left behind by Portuguese heritage, along with a cuisine refined by flavours of the European country are mixed with the remarkable landscape and vibrancy of this charming area.

The dense forest found at the Western Ghats mountain range slowly meanders through lush valleys before ending at the beach. Historic sightseeing can be done as you take in the Se Cathedral, the largest church in Asia, and Basilica of Bom Jesus, both built in the 1600s, before landing at Dona Paula Beach, nicknamed Lovers’ Paradise.

If you’re looking for great views of Old Goa, then make sure the Church of Our Lady of the Mount is part of your checklist. Sat atop a steep hill, it offers wonderful vistas of the Mandovi river, the Konkan railway and the old city.

For the wildlife lovers, Goa has been referred to as a twitcher’s heaven and a short hop to Mollem National Park can see you in the jungle on the hunt for leopards, crocodiles and monkeys.

Prodham bhookt, magi mookt

‘You can’t think, until you’ve eaten well’ is what the Konkani-speaking locals say, and the cuisine here is divine. As you can imagine, the heritage of South Indian and Portuguese is found within the fusion foods that tend to incorporate chillies, coconut, rice, spices and vinegar.

Curries are commonplace and xacutis, cafrials and vindaloos (which originated here) are all worth a look but each have a spicy twang, or more. Religion, and vegetarianism, means that beef and pork tend to be off the menu but chicken and lamb are widespread on menus.

Raves and a nightclub scene began when Western backpackers started to descend on Goa and while there is a relaxed atmosphere during the day, you can find a party in the evening. Vagator and Baga beach are good places to start and the fiery local liquor of Feni is always on the menu.