Located
on the western coast of India, Goa is incredibly beautiful and vibrant. It
is one of the prime attractions in India for tourists from both within the
country as well as from abroad. Whether it is a vacation with friends and
family or a honeymoon trip for a newly wed couple, Goa is just the perfect
destination for any kind of holiday. It is for this reason, that Goa is
often referred to as the ‘paradise’ of holidayers. A trip to the
charming Goa will definitely leave tourists with unforgettable memories.
Places of Interest in Goa
Goa Beaches - Goa is famous for its sun-kissed and palm
fringed beaches. Prominent among these beaches are the Anjuna beach, the
Baga beach, the Calungate beach, Colva beach and the Varca beach. These
beaches of Goa are a hot spot for visiting tourists. The long sandy beaches
with vast stretches of ocean water caters to the varied interests of the
tourists. A quiet walk in the early morning or evening, relaxing sun bath in
the afternoon and fun filled festivals in the night- the beaches offer all
this and much more to tourists. Located on the beaches are night clubs,
discos, bars, pubs and casinos for those who want to enjoy themselves
throughout the night.The beaches also provides an opportunity to indulge in
adventurous water sports
Goa Pilgrimages - Goa has numerous temples and churches
that are worth visiting. The architecture of the temples in Goa is slightly
different from the rest of the country. As such they are attractive for a
tourist who is interested in not only worshipping but also in the structure
of the temples. Some of the most important temples of Goa include the
Mangesh temple which is dedicated to Lord Shiva and the three different
Shanta Durga temples dedicated to Mother Goddess Shanta Durga. Goa also
houses some of the most elegant and magnificient churches of India. The
Church of St. Francis Xavier in Panjim, the Church of St. Francis of Assisi
and Se Cathedral (also in Panjim) are just few of them. These churches are
not only religious places, rather they are the cultural heritages that also
contribute a lot in enhancing the beauty of Goa.
Things not to be Missed
Goa Carnival - With the arrival of February, Goa bursts into colours and
the reason is - Goa Carnival. Goa Carnival is the most exciting and bubbling
festival of Goa, when the entire ambience dressing up for the carnival. The
festival is full of fun and entertainment and one fine moment to party hard.
One of the most popular festivals of India, the Goa carnival, a three-day
fest, had its birth in Goa during the era of King Momo. The festival is
marked with colourful processions and lavish floats parading the streets.
Singing, dancing and masked people make the atmosphere thrilling and
exhilarating.
Water Sports - With so many beaches around, it is quiet
obviously understood that Goa is a perfect place for water sports. The prime
motivation for a majority of visitors coming to Goa is adventure sports.
Adventure sports is therefore also on the list of ‘not to be missed
things in Goa’. Tourists coming to Goa can indulge in para sailing,
yachting, wind-surfing, and deep sea diving. The beaches offer excellent
facilities for all these water sports. Trainings are also imparted to
beginners, so that they do not miss out on the fun associated with these
adventurous sports due to lack of experience. Adventure sports is, hence a
major source of attraction for tourists coming to Goa.
Reaching Goa
Air : The only international / domestic airport of Goa
is situated at Dabolim, is 29 km from the capital, Panaji, on the coast near
Vasco da Gama. Most domestic flights are operated here, apart from the
chartered private airlines operating from UK and Germany.
Rail : Reaching Goa by train is easy from Mumbai (490
km), Bangalore (430 km), and Delhi (1874 km). Two major stations are at
Margao and Vasco da Gama.
Road : Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka state transport
corporations operate from Panaji's Kadamba bus stand.
Sea : Several ferry services are also available. A few
shipping companies offers boat service between Mumbai and Panaji.
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