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.

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. 

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.

Forts of Goa you must visit during you visit!

Chapora Fort

‘Shahpura’ which means ‘Town of the Shah’ was first constructed by Bijapurs ruler Adil Shah and is located on Anjuna beach which among the popular attractions in India. Built out of laterite stones this fort is situated on the banks of the Chapora river and changed hands several times after the Portuguese took over Bardez

Fort Tiracol

This fort is located on the northern tip of Goa along the banks of the Tiracol river accesable from the Querim ferry. The fort remained in history as the Portuguese's critical maritime defenses. The fort has been now converted as  hotel, the Tiracol Heritage.

Reis Magos Fort

This fort rests on the banks of the river Mandovi facing the capital city of Panjim which was built in the year 1543 and was designed to curb enemy ships that would sail across the Mandovi. The fort also functioned as a jailhouse till 1993, until it was abandoned and then back in 2012.

Rachol Fort

Home to the famous  Rachol Seminary this fort that rests by the Zuari, was restored and converted into a museum.

Goa & Fresh Fish!! The types of Fish most consumed in Goa

Fresh Fish, a chilled beer and Goa, ah! What else could wish for! Goa being by the sea fish is a staple food of the locals and consumer by the many who travel to Goa. So, what are the most popular types of fish and how are they best prepared, here a quick guide to get you going.

The masala and the preparation:

Fried fish is very popular across Goa and is consumed as a snack with the a drink or even during the main course. The alternate way of cooking it would be in a curry usually found in a fish curry rice served across the state.

Fried fish is served best with a ranceiodo masala, that is a combination of red chillies and vinegar ground to a thin paste as a main ingredient and applied to the fish and fried. Alternatively curries are prepared with  coconut juice, chillies as well.

Choice of Fish.

Prawns, Kingfish, Red Snapper, Mussels, Pomfrets, Squids and Crabs are the most popular types of fished served in most restaurants. You will see a lot of local flocking at places that serve up fresh fish described as ‘Tajjhe kitne hai’ (what is fresh today) in Konkanni.

Prawns, Squids and Crabs are best consumed in a butter garlic preparation, Prawns are fried first and the tossed in a mixture of garlic and butter. The two blend in a perfect  combination of flavors that will make you want more! Crabs are boiled first in hot water with a pinch of salt, once cooked, the shells are cracked and then tossed in a mixture of butter and garlic.

Fish such as the Kingfish, Red Snapper, mackreals are served best with a ranchiodo masala. The fish is marinated first with salt, ginger-garlic paste and then coated with the masala which is then is rawa fried.

Typing this out has made my mouth-water, the local preparation is excellent and a must try here when you are in Goa. There are a plenty of places to choose from to try fish but keep in mind there are on a few that really know how to serve it the way it should. Some place to mention would be Sea Pebble, Dona Paula, Mickey’s- Colva, Ritz Classic- Panjim,  Martins, Betalbatim, Sheela, Vasco  to name a few.  Every local would also have his/her preferences to that perfect place that serves up fresh and tasty fish, so if you have the option of asking a friend, don’t miss out the chance.

Green trails you could visit besides the Goan beaches

Mollem National Park

The wildlife park is a 240 square kilometre area sanctuary  that is rich with flora and fauna and is in the village of Mollem. You can explore the many options of bird safaris, jungle safaris that the park has to offer. The sanctuary nears the Dudhsagar waterfalls as well

Cotigaon Wildlife Sanctuary

This sanctuary is in the Canancona District of Goa east of Pallolem, and is Goa’s second largest wildlife sanctuary that is widely spread across 86 squiare kilometers. There are watch points and watch towers you can trek to to get a glimpse of the animals in the forest

Dandeli Wildlife Santuary

Dandeli has evolved as a popular tourist destination over the last few years for the adventurous few providing activities such as white water rafting across the raging rapids. The sanctuary rests by the river Kali and has a lot to offer to nature lovers

Netravali Wildllife Sanctuary

Spread across 211 square kilometres of forestation this sanctuary was is a major attraction for nature enthusiasts. Animals such as hornbills, panthers, loris and snakes are a common sight.

There is no doubt the night clubs in Goa are what really attract the crowds but, they is so much more that Goa has to offer and visiting these sanctuary's is a great way to explore more in Goa.

The monsoons in Goa are the best time to visit these sanctuary and parks as they are covered in greenery and cool weather and you can experience a different side of Goa apart from the beaches that its is so famous for. The monsoons see visitors wanting to enjoy the rains, weather and is very popular among nature lovers.