There are some places that naturally attract the allure that commands a five-star hotel. Goa, one of the most biologically diverse places on earth, is certainly among them. Our hotels will put you in the center of this place of natural wonder, where you can enjoy the gorgeous beaches, a lively urban center, and access to nature centers all at the same time. Children of all ages will enjoy the special attractions that take place in the reserves, where wildlife of all sorts can be seen close up, in a setting that is as educational as it is entertaining. In the midst of this fascinating paradise, our hotels add another level of pleasure. Meeting the highest standards in the industry, you will find yourself surrounded by luxury, in the midst of natural splendor. Life was never so good!
Goa has been a main attraction for a few decades now, experiencing a tremendous growth in tourism in the 1960s, when counterculture explorers came looking for enlightenment and beaches. This was the beginning of a very strong party scene in Goa. Though it is not everywhere, the parties can be easily found, and techno music can be heard until dawn at some of the more lively clubs. Goa trance takes its name from a kind of pre-techno electronic music that combines modern musical technologies, altered states of consciousness, and local influences from classical Indian music. The scene is strong enough that it is the subject of Venkat Prabhu’s next release, titled Goa, appropriately enough.
Prabhu, who directed the very successful features Chennai 600028, and Saroja, is one of the hottest Tamil directors working today. This new effort will be a side-splitting comedy, by all accounts, and will take on the reputation of Goa in popular culture and give it some new twists. In the style of sexy teen comedies, this is a story of young men on holiday in Goa, who get into a particularly perilous situation. The film will star Jai and Vaibhav Reddy, among other top names, and will also star Sneha, in a role that was once being considered by Jessica Alba. In the tradition of feature films being made in other locations, Goa is filmed in Malaysia.
We took a leisure trip to India. While in New Delhi the Capital of India, someone told us to check out Goa before we leave India. We were told that Goa is the ‘chill’ capital of India. So, my husband and I managed to book a room at a Goa Resort Spa for a few nights before we headed back to the States.
We noticed that Goa draws many Indians for there Casinos alone. But we checked out the beach to spend our days, being all laid back and unwinding from the previous partying we did at the fabulous chill lounges and clubs. We were fortunate enough that we were in Goa during a non rainy season and a non heat season, perfect really. We thought it would be ideal to take a guided tour through Goa. We were mesmerized by the old architecture which was predominantly Portuguese. Apparently, Goa was founded originally by Portuguese, but now has a Goan rule and culture. But besides the Portuguese architecture, we got to see famous churches, temples and a waterfall. The tour included a lunch were we got to taste the local cuisine. I had the Goan fish curry and rice, scrumptious. I will have to make this dish back home, it was so savory and delightful.
One tour we took, on our last day in Goa, was to the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary. A wildlife paradise and a sanctuary for Leopards, Elephants, India Bison and Deer. The birds alone were spectacular. All the animals were easily spotted. I especially liked the elephants, such magnificent mammals. My husband liked the elephant ride, he wanted to travel like that from this point on. Fortunately for me, his legs couldn’t take riding the elephant for longer than an hour.
We will definitely have to come back to Goa, a few nights here we could tell we barely scratched the surface of this phantasmal resort city. Like frolicking with the dolphins!
In the 16th &17th centuries European countries fought wars to determine who would control the spice trade. Because the value of spices far exceeded the value of gold, it’s easy to imagine the motivation of these countries. Fortunes were made and empires fought for world domination.
Spices have long been the principal export of Goa. The cultivation and export of Indian spices since the fifteenth century, is what put Goa on the map. Nowadays they are cultivated along with other crops like cashews, other nuts and tropical fruit. In the mountains east of Goa, in the Ponda region, a few spice farms can be found. The fertile slopes, with the cool at night, warm during the day climate, create the perfect conditions for cultivation.
Many spices were first used for medicinal purposes because they act as both appetite stimulants and digestives. The practice of Ayurvedic medicine relies on the properties of spices and chilies to treat many ailments. Spices can also help the body cope with long periods of heat, a characteristic shared by a number of varieties of the chili pepper. At the heart of Indian cooking are spices; black pepper, cardamom, ginger, turmeric, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, just to name a few! Used liberally in all types of Indian cooking, cardamom for example, is found in a breakfast drink, one that’s made with milk, nuts and cinnamon. Cinnamon and cloves, instantly recognizable, are used the world over in the preparation of sweets.
Local companies run excursions to the Ponda region or you can hire a taxi for a relatively short ride from the five star hotels in Goa. The spice farms in the Ponda region all employ organic methods of cultivation. Many of the spices are grown alongside tropical fruits in a terraced fashion. Because cashew nuts are grown as well, it’s likely you’ll find a “feni” distillation area on the farm. Guided tours are offered and you may even be able to get a tour from an Ayurvedic doctor who can show you medicinal plants and explain the use of them. Some farms offer buffet lunches or snack- like items served on banana leaves. The local “feni” is also offered. There are some tourist attractions like elephant rides or watching men harvest the betel nut.
While it’s possible to stay the night in one of the farmhouses, it’s a relatively short ride back to “civilization”.
More and more people are finding a reason to visit Goa, India every year. It is easily one of the most popular holiday destinations in all of India. Even though it’s the smallest state in that massive country, Goa manages to pack a lot into its limited geography. There are rivers, mountains, forests, jungles, and, of course, the beaches for which the region is world-famous.
One of the first startling aspects of Goa is that is is officially classified as one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. It has an amazingly rich and diverse collection of natural flora and fauna. Goans are proud of their wilderness and have worked to preserve large stretches of forest. Over 1500 plant species, 275 types of birds, and nearly 50 animal species are protected in wildlife sanctuaries throughout Goa. The parks and preserves are home to a large number of snakes and the coastline is teeming with an abundance of marine life.
Goa has also preserved many of its cultural and historic sites. Religious sites such as the Bom Jesus Basilica and the Church of the Immaculate Conception harken back to Goa’s centuries as a Portuguese colony. The Mangueshi Temple, meanwhile, is a tribute to the native heritage of the area. Goa has a number of museums and forts to explore. There are also beautiful examples of both Indian architecture and the blended Portuguese-Indian style from the colonial era.
Much of the Portuguese influence can be seen in the cities and a few of the villages of Goa. While the village offer a more traditional Goan experience, the cities are increasingly developed to resemble the modern urban environment one can find throughout the world. The various shops, restaurants, and four star hotels Goa all reflect a blending of western urban design but with distinctive Indian influences and character.
Of course, the main reason most tourists give for visiting Goa is the beach. Whether simply relaxing in the sun and listening to the ocean waves or engaging in recreational activities such as parasailing or scuba diving, visitors will find plenty to help them de-stress from their daily grind. The beaches here are about more than just the sparkling ocean with restaurants and shops lining many beaches.
One of Goa’s more famous attractions is its vibrant nightlife. Dance clubs dot the beaches and the cities, drawing in thousands of partiers during the height of the season. Some clubs even throw raves on the beaches, giving party-goers the unique experience of dancing on the sands under the moonlight.
Historic sites, beautiful architecture, exciting cities, relaxing beaches and a rich natural landscape are just a few of the features that attract so many travelers to the tiny state of Goa.
RECENT Comments