Marvellous Goa

Who wouldn‟t like a vacation at a place nicely located, with great access to number of pretty

beaches, at a place cosmopolitan enough to be interesting, clean enough for comfort, laid-

back and exquisite? And if in for a romantic break, wouldn‟t you like to take at least the

teeniest walk on the wild side, but not so much so that this involves meeting people who

offend, intimidate or alarm you. Welcome to „Goa‟! Just how much you can let your hair

down and with whom you‟d really like to have done it, involves finding a fine balancing

point while on holiday. That‟s what makes Goa the place to be in. Goa is true to all elements

that make it a gift from god.

Over the years, the Indian traveller has maturated and endured his love for Goa. Located in

western India, bounded by Maharashtra and Karnataka, the state of Goa is India‟s smallest

state by population. It is the India‟s richest state with a Gross domestic product per capita

two and a half times of the country. Panaji is Goa‟s capital and Vasco da Gama is the largest

city. Variously known as “Pearl of Orient” and a “Tourist Paradise”, Goa has been on the

wish list of tourists since long. Goa has been a firm favourite among the travellers across the

globe for its magnificent scenic beauty and the architectural splendours of its temples,

churches and old houses. Goa can be reached by its only airport at Dabolim, by train and by

road as well. One easily gets to find bus connections to Goa from Mumbai, Bangalore &

Mangalore. Indian Railways connect Goa with direct train services from all major metros in

India.

You may divide Goa into the North and South: Panjim or Panaji acting as the gateway to the

northern beaches, and Madgaon in the South. Goa‟s north stretches between the formidable

Tiracol Fort, offering a beautiful vista of Keri and Arambol beaches, and Fort Aguada, south

of which spreads out the capital of Panjim. Goa‟s southern beach stretch is a long sheathe of

grainy, soft, flour-like white sand, and is known by many names. In Goa, they say, Life is a

Beach, who can‟t deny that. Though keep in mind that there exists life beyond sin, surf and

sand – the Goa inland, its village lifestyle, tradition and magnificent heritage.

Tourist places in Goa include Anjuna, Colva, Calangute and Candolim Beaches. Calangute

Church, Chapel of St. Lawrence is also popular tourist‟s spots.

Budget Hotels in Goa are in plenty number. One may get to find Hotels at a price starting

Rs. 2,500/- Although finding the perfect spots near the beach at this price is difficult, still one

shouldn‟t be disappointed as the beaches are not far away either. Rooms in these hotels can

be booked online through any travel portal at a good price, though it is advisable to book

before hand in the month of December – January where the peak season begins.