Goa

Brilliant lush green fields of irrigated paddy surround villages and hamlets with white painted churches standing out against occasional empty patches of red soil. In the background are the jungle-clad hills. Piazzas of churches, cool temple tanks, shady Goan houses and elegant mansions splashed with colour of bougainvillaea lend the atmosphere of lethargic Portuguese villages.

Goa is like a European picture framed against an Indian background. This is because this tiny state (pop.1.3million) was ruled for 450yrs by the Portuguese. They pulled out in 1961 and left behind their calling cards in the form of distinctive churches, convents, customs, and converts to the Catholic church.

Goa is an inland peninsula sited south of Mumbai on the western coast of India. The flight time from Mumbai is 45 minutes and chartered flights from UK airports travel non-stop between November and April.

With some of the India’s finest beaches, Goa has long been popular as a prime place of relaxation. It also has the Christian pilgrimage centre of St Francis Xavier’s tomb at Old Goa. Yet inland Goa predominantly Hindu, has much to offer with interesting temples around Ponda and 12-13th century site at Tambdi Surla.

There are 100km of beaches to choose from, each one with its unique personality along with so much amazing food, a mixture of Portuguese flavour and Indian Spices. Don’t worry if you have conventional taste as Goa has so many International hotels to satisfy your palate.

Shopaholics will love the colourful markets of Anjuna and bazaars. While night owls can party until small hours of the morning at the buzzing beach bars of Anjuna and Vagator filled with locals and westerners. Even as Goa’s development as a popular resort goes on a fairly rapid pace, there is still plenty of old-world charm.

Come to Goa-relax in beach shacks,walk on white sands,swim in tropical waters and soak up the sun