Monday 24 February 2014

Tourist places in Goa

So you are planning your visit to Goa on a holiday and are in the mood the explore its surroundings and off course get a tan as well or will ending up doing so any ways!

To start with the food is always a good start! These are several place that will flood that list but here a must visit few; Souza Lobo- Calangute, Brittos's- Baga, Sea Pebble-Dona Paula, Mickeys-Colva, Martins Beach Corner-Betalbatim, Fiplees Betalbatim and Fishermans Wharf Cavelosim.

Night clubs should be on your things to do list as well. The every popular Titos's lance has become a global landmark you  must visit. Club Cabana, SinQ and 9Bar are highly popular places in the north of Goa to catch a chilled beer or dance your heart out.

Popular and must visit beaches on the cards would be Baga, Calangute, Anjuna, Morjim and Mandrem. With shacks availabel at most of these beaches it is a great place to spend the day, water sports included.

Flee markets are very exciting as they offer entertainment as well as shopping, the Anjuna Flee market is one of the oldest flee markets in Goa and remains the most popular. You could also go visit Mackie Saturday Night Bazar as well.

Hopping over to Ponda will give you a nice outing to the spice plantations and temples that it is so famous for. There are plenty of farms to choose from and it would take up a day check out. These tours also have lunch included. Temples here are very popular, you should check out the Shanta Durga temple or the Mangeshi temple and don't forget to charge your camera while you plan the visit.

Landmarks such as Dona Paula, Fontainhas and the cruise boat ride on a visit to Panjim, the capital would help you to explore as well as get entertained while you are at it. The cruises are only in the evening at the new Patto bridge. Casinos have been a new attraction over the last few years for many visit. Try you luck, have a drink and food included is a nice way to spend the evening.

Old Goa if you want to explore more on Goa's Portuguese influence on Goa, there are churches and cathedrals that you could explore, the drive there too is by the riverside and is very enjoyable.

Looking deeper to know the culture, plan a visit to Mario Miranda Musuem in Porvorim and Ancestral Goa in Lotolim as well.


Wednesday 19 February 2014

Goan Carnival in 2014!!

Known for it white sand beaches , its crazy nightlife, liberal ways of living and its kind hospitality it remains the choice of many to come back on a holiday. The Goan Carnival held annually in February reflects the fun and happy side of the Goans and is the time of the year when people come out in large numbers across the state to be a part of the fun and frolic.

The Carnival festival has been influenced by Goa’s Portuguese roots and has remained a part of Goa’s cultured for many years and reflects Goa cultural diversity. Held in the month of February, this festival has everyone in a happy mood filled with color and music to go with it. The carnival floats are paraded across multiple cities in Goa and is one of India's most unique festivals held nowhere by here in Goa.  Locals and visitors come out  in large numbers to celebrate and watch the parade go by to be a part of the celebration.

The Goan Carnival takes place just before the season of Lent marked by the Christian Calender and is the last celebration before a 45 day fast that then followed by Easter. Live bands playing carnival tunes, floats accompanied with dancers in colorful costumes and hundreds cheering on the festival is witnessed by people from India and abroad.
                
King Momo the iconic figure marks the begin of the festival and is seen on the first float that kick-starts the festival. The first float itself has dancers, musicians and performers in action and is one among the vibrant floats seen in the parade. Most floats  are themes on social and cultures reflections.

Time your holiday or make sure you plan a visit at least once in a life time to witness this celebratory experience and if you are here during a holiday do nothing to miss out on it. 

Wednesday 5 February 2014

Best time to visit Goa

Goa has a lot to offer for everyone visiting through out the year, the tourist season being popular from October until Jan and the off season being from June until September.

The period of November and December sees the most tourist visiting from India and abroad. This time of the year remains the peak of the season and sees prices of accommodation and travel shoot up compared to the rest of the year.  Room rents can go up at least one and half times as compared to the beginning of the season and yet there is always a shortage due to rising demand. Accommodation would be costlier by the beach belt and less expensive in the suburbs, you can hire you own car/bike, the only real disadvantage being you are a bit away from the night life! well, if you prefer it otherwise, nothing like it.

Popular places such as Candolim, Calangute, Baga and Anjuna are very popular in the north of Goa, while Panjim and Donapaula are preferred while living closer to the capital. Morjim, Ashwem, Anjuna, Vagator also make their way up that list.

In the south of Goa, Pallolem is the most popular beach by a mile but it is pretty isolated from rest of the action at beaches such as Colva, Varca, Cansailim, Betalbatim and Benaulim.

The months before that are also popular, mid-September marks the beginning of the tourist calendar and you can find a good bargain during this period.

The month of May sees a huge number of interstate tourists as the summers are about to end. Prices are pretty reasonable during this time and you also can get a nice deal as most businesses are preparing to shut for the off season.

Planning you visit to Goa in December is on of the best times to visit, the beach belts are buzzing with activity and is very vibrant and busy. Last minute deals are always available through travel agents but yes they do come at a price.

The most economical visit would be just before monsoons, the foreign tourists leave by then and you will see a drop in airfare and stay bookings, room rates being much more realistic for the best time to visit for a holiday.

If you are looking to get away from the madness of urban life and need a break, the monsoon for some is also a popular time to visit. The other jammed packed beach belts are calm and quite as well, but you need not stay by the coast, you could get a place in Panjim or around and even explore and stay are wild life sanctuaries during the rains. The weather in Goa can play spoilsport if not planned around it so do make sure you plan accordingly to avoid a disappointment.