Goa
Introduction
Lying
on the West Coast of India, Goa boasts some pristine beaches, memories of
the former Portuguese era, the Catholic heritage and a range of lip-smacking
traditional cuisines with a taste to last you a lifespan. Tourists choose
the place to chill out in an exotic ambiance and party, driving themselves
simply insane. It's no wonder you'll see freaks bobbing around on motor
bikes, giving you the clue that a great party is in the offing. So, be ready
to freak out amid sensuous surroundings!
Climate
Except for the monsoons, the climate of Goa happens to be temperate. No
extremes of temperature are experienced. A pleasant and sunny weather
predominates the year. Summer extends from mid-March to June, with
temperature shooting up to a maximum of 45 degrees centigrade. During
winters, from November to mid-February, temperature can touch a low of 3
degrees centigrade. Monsoon continues from June till September. You can plan
your anytime avoiding only the rainy season.
Important Cities & Towns
Before one contemplates and plans a trip to the exotic state of Goa, one
needs to be aware of the major and famous cities and towns of Goa. Panjim,
the capital of the state, lies on the banks of the Mandovi River and is a
favoured destination of the tourists. It's due to the unhurried charm and
the old-world charm of the city that tourists actually like. Vasco-da-Gama,
29 km southwest of Panjim, was once the busiest ports along the West Coast.
Another must-visit for tourists is Mapusa which serves as the headquarters
of the Bardez Taluka. Other popular cities of the state include Margao,
Ponda, Canacona etc.
People & Culture
People
of Goa have a relaxed approach towards life and are devoted to making fun.
They enjoy their afternoon siestas and are known for a multicultural past.
Though Hindus form a major part of the population, there are churches to be
seen almost everywhere. Christians of Goa practice their religion with all
the freedom. Celebration of Christmas and Goa have a new meaning for
visitors to Goa. English and Hindi are the chief spoken languages in Goa.
Other languages spoken in Goa include Portuguese, Konkani and Marathi. The
festivals of Goa are joined in by all, irrespective of caste and creed.
Famous Travel Attractions
Of course, beaches are the first love for tourists. When we say beaches we
don't mean only expansive sands. There's a lot more that comes with it.
Excellent water sports, beach games, visiting historical landmarks, gorging
on fresh sea food and gulping it down with delectable sips of feni are a
part of the fun. And when you've done with your beach-high, Goa offers to
see ancient temples, baroque churches and taking-it-easy villages. Churches
that you would love visiting include Church of Our Lady of Rosary, Church of
St Francis of Assisi, the Se Cathedral and the Basilica of Bom Jesus.
Air/ Rail/ Road Links
The Dabolim Airport of Goa is at a distance of 29 km from Goan capital
Panaji. Indian Airlines operates regular flight connecting Panaji with Delhi
and Mumbai. Besides, there are chartered flights as well operating from UK
and Germany. The recent establishment of the Konkan Railways link Margao and
Vasco da Gama with the key destinations of the country. Buses of Goa,
Maharashtra and Karnataka state transport corporation operate from the
Kadamba Bus Stand of Goa. Boat services between Mumbai and Panaji are also
available for your convenience.