Location : Western India
Tourist Attractions : Beaches, Churches, Panaji, Old Goa
Languages : Konkani, Marathi, Hindi, English and Portuguese
Best time to Visit : October to March

About Goa
In Goa, it is often said, life is an unending party. The plethora of tourist magnets on offer at Goa include every attraction you can ever dream of. While Goa's endless sprawls of beaches present a pulsating nightlife, incessant rave parties and quite picturesque beaches that take you to a life laid back and completely away from the bustle of the city, the other attractions of the place include ancient churches and charming relics of the Portuguese architecture. Besides, Goa also has an assemblage of diverse wildlife which makes the place a complete vacation package. The Goa carnival, a four day festival celebrated every year during February, is an event when Goa sparkles in its true colours with tourists pouring in from all corners of the globe.

Climate & Best time to Visit
The climate of Goa is generally humid owing to its proximity to the sea although it remains cool and pleasant during the winter months from December to February (avg. temperature between 21 and 32 degrees Celsius). March to May are the hot and humid summer months (avg temperature between 24 and 35 degrees Celsius) while June to September are the wet rainy times when the humidity levels can be extremely high. The best time to visit the place is from October to March.

Tourist Attractions
Goa Beaches
Whether you are looking for endless rave parties, serene getaways or exciting water sports, the beaches of Goa offer it all under the same roof. Take a walk on the sandy beaches and witness the beauty of swaying palm trees and crystal water rolling up the stones or try exciting water sports such as water skiing, water scooter rides, surfing, scuba diving etc. The most prominent beaches in Goa include Anjuna Beach, Baga Beach, Benaulim Beach, Bogmolo Beach, Calangute Beach, Colva Beach, Dona Paula Beach, Varca Beach, Candolim Beach, Majorda Beach and Vagator Beach.

Churches in Goa
Goa houses some of the most charming and ancient churches in the country, mostly erected during the Portuguese rule. The churches besides being architectural marvels are also historically significant sites. Some of the most popular churches in Goa are Church of Our Lady Rosary, Convent and Church of St. Francis, Basilica De Bom Jesus Church and St. Cathedral Church.

Panaji
The capital of Goa, Panaji is a beautiful little place soaked up in a colonial ambiance. The most pleasant way to explore the place is on foot, passing through the labyrinth of lanes lines with colonial villas and beautiful Portuguese architectural structures. The Church of the Immaculate Conception, built in 1541 is one of the most popular of Goa's tourist attractions.

Old Goa
The former capital of Goa, Old Goa was one of the most enchanting tourist attractions during its hey days. The place has been declared a UNESCO world heritage site and houses a number of cultural attractions including ancient temples and churches. Old Goa is home to the largest church in India, constructed in 1640, the Tuscan St. Catherine's Cathedral took eighty years to complete.

Things to Do

Shopping
The most important shopping hot spot in Goa is the flea market at Anjuna. Once popular as a hangout place for backpack travellers, the Anjuna flea market has over the years developed into a full scale shoppers hub with wide range of goods on sale. Traders from all corners of the country come to the place with their local specialties including colorful traditional attire, Kashmiri woollens, silver jewellery and much more. The market held every Wednesday is also a good place to get along with the local people.

Dine Out
Goa is a food lover's paradise with unique culinary delights which are a delectable mix of varied cooking styles. The sumptuous sea food will make you lick fingers. Some of the must try out delicacies while in Goa include Pork Vindaloo, Sorpotel and Chicken Xacuti. Besides these, a variety of sweets also form a major component of the Goan platter.

Getting There
By Air : Goa's Dabolim international airport is located just 55 km from Panaji near Vasco Da Gama. International flights including chartered planes from a number of European and Middle East countries arrive here, especially during the tourist season. Indian Airlines and some private carriers operate regular services to Goa from Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow and Patna. The approximate flight time between Mumbai and Goa is 45 minutes. For more information on flight timings and schedule, log on to the official website of Indian Airlines at http://indian-airlines.nic.in/

By Rail : Goa is connected to other cities in India through its two major railway stations at Margao (southern railways terminus) and Vasco Da Gama (Konkan Railways Terminus). Daily trains from Goa connect the state with Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad and Pune. For more information on train timings and online booking, visit the official website of Indian Railways at http://www.indianrail.gov.in/

By Road : Goa is conveniently connected by road to all the neighbouring cities and states including Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala. State transport corporation operates daily buses between Goa and Mumbai, Pune, Aurangabad, Bangalore, Mangalore and Hyderabad.

Local Transport : Tourist taxis are available to travel between various destinations across Goa while auto rickshaws are also available to cover short distances. Motor boats and ferry boats are also available that connect certain destinations. Cars are also available for hire.

Distance from Major Cities

• Mumbai : 594 Km
• Bangalore : 632 Km
• Mangalore : 371 Km
• Mysore : 677 Km
• Pune : 471 Km