Ruffles Beach Resort 26 August for 7 nights, per person including flights
from £620
Ruffles Beach Resort 10 September for 7 nights, per person including flights
from £680
Ruffles Beach Resort 08 October for 7 nights, per person including flights
from £613
Goa Holidays - a paradise for beaches and markets.
Goa – for a complete change of pace
Goa is a fabulous choice for an opening to India. Enjoy the mixture of Catholic churches, endless Hindu temples, busy markets, historical architecture, numerous forts along the shoreline and above all a beach lover’s paradise with miles of beautiful sandy beaches. Goa, sitting next to the Arabian Sea brings warm pleasant weather year round; however the monsoon season between June and September brings much needed spectacular changes from the high temperatures. With its coconut palms Goa makes an excellent for families and couples seeking a peaceful holiday.
With the stresses and strains of modern day life, sometimes we are all in need of a complete change. For anyone who is looking for a tranquil destination which is worlds away from their everyday life, holidays to Goa provide the answer.
In recent years in particular, Goa has been awarded a reputation of being a paradise destination; covered in palm trees and pretty little villages. There is a special spirit in Goa and an incredibly laid back atmosphere and it was this that first attracted people to the destination in the 60s and 70s.
People continue to travel to Goa to this day; for calm, relaxation and escape and as a result the destination has continued to grow and thrive. The locals here enjoy a relaxed way of life. They are happy go lucky and don’t seem to suffer any stresses or worries of modern day living and this attitude is extremely contagious providing the ultimate relaxing break.
Goa is situated on the west coast and is the smallest state in India. With plenty of variety in the destination, whether you are looking for cheap holidays to Goa or a little more luxury, you can find the right holiday for you.
It’s that typical postcard shot, but in Goa, lazing in a hammock on the beach, being soaked in the sun is a very real experience. And beach lovers from around the world make the most of the beautiful beaches that Goa has to offer which include Anjuna, Arambol, Baga, Benaulim and Palolem.
But these aren’t your average beaches. In fact, as well as the calm and peaceful sands, perfect for an afternoon snooze, there are also some very active beaches in Goa to add that little bit of spice to your Goa holidays. You can easily find barbeques, sports and even flea markets taking place on the sands and of course, at night, the locals still enjoy a good old beach party.
For wildlife lovers, there are a number of wildlife sanctuaries based in Goa and you can even take a Jeep safari to see some exotic birds, panthers and crocodiles up close.
The scenery you can experience on holidays in Goa is truly breathtaking. It’s not only the stunning beaches that get tourists excited in Goa; there are some beautiful lakes and waterfalls to discover too. The Arvalem waterfall is a particular favourite and provides a romantic spot for couples to enjoy. It’s worth having a look at the nearby Rudreshwar Temple during a trip to the waterfall too and to even perhaps go exploring the caves.
Goa holidays have increased in popularity because of the state’s warm climate. For most of the year, the climate is hot and the temperatures reach a high in May when they can hit around 35 degrees. June tells a different story though, with the monsoon rain arriving. This cools the temperatures and lasts until September. Goa’s winters fall between mid December and February. During these times, temperatures reach 29 degrees during the days.
The food in Goa is fresh and really tasty. Here you will normally be served dishes such as rice with fish curry or exotic vegetable stew. Goan food is not surprisingly, usually flavoured with a variety of spices and chilli peppers and coconut features heavily in a lot of the traditional recipes too. Holidays in Goa are not complete unless you have completely indulged in these delicious recipes.
Travel in Goa
There are buses running to and from major towns and also within them, but the transport system in Goa is not as developed as you may hope. A lot of the locals choose to get around by motorcycle and tourists can too by taking advantage of the motorcycle taxis which can take one passenger between beaches or resorts. If you have an international driver’s licence, you can even hire a motorcycle for your trip.
Auto rickshaws are also widely available. These are vehicles with three wheels that are very small but great for travelling short distances.
A lot of visitors shy away from hiring a car while on their holidays to Goa because they are worried about driving around Goa themselves. And if you have experienced driving in India, you will understand why. To get around this problem, a lot of visitors choose to hire a car with a driver, so they can simply sit back and relax as they are taken to and from their favourite destinations.
What not to miss in Goa
1. Why not take in the magic of Goa by night and take an evening river cruise? You can sail along the Mandovi from Panjim and enjoy some delicious snacks and drinks along the way. A lot of these cruises also provide traditional Goan entertainment too.
2. ndia is where the popular exercise of yoga was developed. So while on holidays to Goa many visitors like to learn from the best. There are plenty of yoga teachers offering their services but just ensure that you check their credentials before booking a class.
3. As well as exploring the leopards, cobras and other exciting wildlife on land, there are plenty of options to go diving in Goa and see what there is to offer under the sea. Even if you have never been diving before, you can always learn during your holidays in Goa.
4. If you’re a bit of a shopaholic and a fan of the traditional souvenirs, then you will enjoy the stalls you will come across dotted around Goa. There are hundreds of different markets to choose from if you want to experience the real Goan life but the most popular is the flea market which you can find on Anjuna beach every Wednesday.
5. A popular tourist attraction in Goa is the spice plantation. Here, you can learn how the spices are grown and how they are collected; it’s a great insight and of course, for the whole tour, you will be able to enjoy the beautiful fragrances coming from the plantation. Something that you will want to bring back from your Goa holidays.
6. Terekhol Fort Goa is a popular spot with tourists. This fort is located on the banks of the River Terekhol and from there you can see some amazing views of the sea.
7. With their relaxed attitude, the locals in Goa really know how to party. Baga-Calangute is the place to go if you want to experience the real party lifestyle while on your holidays in Goa.
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Goa – for a complete change of pace