Goa

The pocket-sized paradise of Goa is a traveller’s dream. Sun, sea, sand, spices, spirituality and seafood, along with a balmy weather, call to the soul of trekkers, backpackers, nature lovers and those who simply want to languish in its slow-paced and relaxed vibes. Located by the glistening waters of the Arabian Sea on India’s western coast, the state of Goa is renowned for its breathtaking beaches, rich culture and pristine natural beauty. Formerly a Portuguese colony, Goa offers travellers a chance to experience a unique blend of sandy shores, forests, monuments and delectable cuisine, attracting tourists across age groups.

Its landscape is dotted with a vast range of accommodation options, ranging from ultra-luxurious resorts and boutique hotels to youth hostels, budget-friendly guest houses and private, rentable spaces. These aspects, and more, make Goa a holiday hotspot for large families, solo travellers, backpackers and every other kind of traveller. During winter, its festive ambience is at its peak, while in summers, it boasts lovely weather that’s perfect for a splash in the sea. Monsoon spreads lush greenery across its verdant vistas, peppered with gorgeous waterfalls, making it a trekker’s paradise. Photography enthusiasts, culture buffs, history lovers and night birds – there’s something for everyone in the sunshine state. Natural beauty is often said to inspire creativity, and Goa has been home to several gifted artists. Padma Vibhushan, Mario Miranda, the renowned cartoonist and illustrator, spent years creating several of his signature artworks here. Even today, he is best known for his pieces depicting life in a Goan village. Celebrated fashion designer Wendell Rodricks, too, is based out of this beautiful state.

As one of the smallest states in India in terms of geographical extent, Goa packs a vast spectrum of cultural experiences. Portuguese, Maharashtrian and Konkani influences are evident in language, food, architecture, dress and dance. Several festivals are celebrated here that bear testimony to its multi-cultural glory. Such are the charms of Goa that even film-makers and writers have found picture-perfect locations here. Goa has been the backdrop of numerous Indian movies, which have captured its spirit as a haven of unforgettable experiences.

Beaches

Shaped like the new moon, Goa’s beaches are known the world over. Fringed by swaying palm and coconut trees with cool and comfortable shacks offering a variety of refreshments, Goa’s 103 km coastline is blessed with the most enchanting beaches lapped by the Arabian Sea. And almost all of them are swimmer friendly with the assured presence of lifeguards on all the popular beaches

Sun, Sand, Surf And the Sea

105 kms of Konkan coast stretches across the state of Goa providing a wide range of choice in beaches to suit everybody’s needs. There are unspoilt pristine stretches of sand for the solitude seeker and there are those ones jammed with people in every square feet of sand.

There are beaches far from human habitation with very basic or sometimes no facility for accommodation. Then there are some with ultra modern comforts like internet cafes, massage centers, gyms, swimming pools, night clubs, etc. With such an enormous choice, one might feel confused about which one to take.

But on the contrary, it’s quite easy to plan an itinerary for getting suntan allover the body. Taking the capital Panaji and the next major city Margao as base points, all the beaches can be visited in a stretch. North from Panaji lies the most famous beach of Calangute.From here onwards to the northern tip of the state, swaying palms and shimmering sands stretch giving an enchanting sight.The further north, the emptier the beaches become.

The same can be said about the silvery sands, which stretch down southwards from Margao. Right from Colva, the famous silvery white sand beach, there is an uninterrupted continuity in beaches. The more you move south the lonelier the beaches are.When it comes to beaches, the visitor is spoilt for choice.