Goa, the smallest state in India, has umpteen surprises in every corner, and is world-renowned for its
lovely beaches. Bounded by the Arabian Sea on one side and land on the other, this region is home to numerous picturesque and vibrant beaches. The stellar
nightlife and parties in Goa are an intrinsic aspect of Goan vibes and the hippie culture.
Be it the parties, pulsating
clubs and pubs, beach shacks, adventurous water sports, gaming casinos or the
buzzing flea markets; all come together to invoke an exhilarated ambience. Goa offers a plethora of beaches for youngsters, family and
couples, with innumerable shacks, quaint cafes, a
slew of budget hotels and luxurious resorts lined up along the coastline.
Goa is the exemplary holiday
paradise full of amusement. The charm of the seashore and the beaches allure
the tourists' souls to spend a vacation in the land of sun, sand, and surf.
Tourists from world over come to Goa to revel in this exciting destination.
The
Historical Significance of Goa
The old name of Goa according
to ancient literature, are Gomanchala, Gopakapattana, Gopakapattam, Govapuri, Gopakapuri,
Govem, Gomantak, Sandabur, Sindapur, and Mahassapatam.
Did you know that Goa didn't
always belong to independent India? Yes, after being liberated in 1961, it
became an Indian state. The Portuguese ruled Goa for 450 years until it was
liberated from the Portuguese to form a part of India on December 19, 1961. It
is known that the whole military operation took almost three days to
successfully liberate Goa. The Portuguese heavily influenced Goan culture,
cuisine, and architecture.
Goa Liberation Day is one of
the most important days in the history of Goa. It is celebrated every year on
December 19 in Goa with numerous events and festivities in the city. This day
of celebration is marked to remember the struggle of Indian armed forces that
freed Goa from Portuguese rule on December 19, 1961.
How
to Reach Goa:
How
to Reach Goa by Air
Dabolim Airport is the major
airport in Goa, which makes it accessible from major cities within the country
and also from abroad. The Dabolim Airport is an international airport that
handles international flights and regular domestic flights as well with a large
inflow of foreign and domestic travellers. Goa's Dabolim Airport is almost 26km
from Panaji.
The Nearest Airport: Dabolim
Airport, Goa
How
to Reach Goa by Road
You can reach Goa by road through
two major highways. Follow the National Highway 4 (NH 4) to travel to Goa from
Mumbai or Bengaluru by road. The drive to Goa by road is a scenic route that turns
lush green during monsoon. There are many bus services from major cities to Goa
for travellers.
The Nearest & Main Bus
Station in Goa: Kadamba bus stand, Panaji.
How
to Reach Goa by Sea
Reaching Goa by sea is a
unique way to travel Goa. You can catch a cruise from Mumbai to go to Panaji,
which will take you along the coasts of Maharashtra and Goa.
How
to Reach Goa by Train
Reaching Goa by train is the
most comfortable and convenient mode of travel. There are two major railway
stations in Goa- Madgaon and Vasco-da-Gama. Goa enjoys extensive rail
connectivity with other major cities of the country. Goa's rail route is a
relaxing journey that takes you through some of the Western Ghats' most
beautiful landscapes.
Goa Railway Station Name &
code: Madgaon Junction (MAO), Vasco-Da-Gama Railway station (VSG).
You can also order your
favourite food in train online from
RailRestro while travelling to Goa by a train.
The
Scenic Train Trip to Goa
The rail journey from Mumbai
to Goa is one of the most scenic train rides in India. The train routes
connecting these cities give you an incredible experience intersecting through
the gorges, Sahyadri hills and the Arabian Sea. Riding through 92 tunnels and
on 2000 bridges, this route offers beautiful sceneries with jaw-dropping sight
of scenic landscapes, dazzling rivers, rugged coastline and lush green meadows.
Mandovi Express train, a part of the Konkan Railway network, runs between
Mumbai and Goa.
The journey from Vasco Da Gama
to Londa offers you one of the most thrilling and enchanting train journeys in
India. It traverses through the Western Ghats laced with lush green forests,
thriving villages and sparkling waterfalls that add to the charm of this rail
route in Goa. The train pass along many serene beaches and the magnificent
Dudhsagar waterfalls, cascading beauty gushing in full vigour.
If you want to enjoy this
thrilling train journey from Vasco Da Gama to Londa closely, get down at Londa
junction, which is the nearest station to Dudhsagar falls.
If you don't want to miss the
most scenic rail journey in India, always check the PNR status to know the current
booking status and live train delay information. RailMitra is the best train
enquiry app for checking Train PNR status
and live train status along with a set of other features for which you don't
need to install any other Indian Railway app. The RailMitra app is free and is
available for Android devices. Other exclusive features include food delivery
in train and booking hotels at affordable rates.
Five
Famous Beaches in Goa
Baga
Beach
Baga resides a little farther
south of Morjim, exhibiting a very different atmosphere to that of its
neighbour. It has a stunningly vibrant atmosphere characterized by an unbroken
line of exotic and pleasant beach shacks situated beside a long golden sand
stretch. It is one of the most popular beaches among the Indian family crowd.
Things to do in Baga beach:
Scuba diving, motorboat rides, banana Boat Ride, jet skiing, dolphin rides,
diving, and spas.
Candolim
& Calangute Beach
These are considered one of the
most popular beaches among European tourists who spend their holidays in Goa. The
long strips of golden sands of Candolim and Calangute lead to one of the most
welcoming stretches of coastline in the state. You can also relish the
delicious Goan curry at one of the eye-catchy beach shacks. Calangute Beach is
renowned as the "Queen of beaches" for its alluring sandy landscapes.
Things to do in Candolim
beach: Snorkelling, kite surfing, windsurfing, diving, jet-skiing, parasailing.
Palolem
Beach
Palolem beach is often marked
as one of Goa's finest beache due to its breathtaking view. Let your worries
take a back seat and lose yourself on Palolem Beach. If you enjoy socializing
with crowds, this is just the place for you. Palolem Beach offers one of the
best swimming locations in Goa with a long curve of palm-fringed sandy stretch.
The beach huts here serve tasty local grub.
Things to do in Palolem beach:
Shopping, food, partying and diving.
Benaulim
& Varca Beach
Benaulim Beach offers
holidaymakers not only a splendid retreat for rest and relaxation but also lots
of things to do around the city. A breathtakingly beautiful setting for
sunbathers, it is a long stretch of soft white sand with verdant palm trees.
But, if soaking up the rays on a sun lounger doesn't suit you, do explore water
sports or try your luck sighting dolphins here.
Things to do in Benaulim &
Varca: Water sports, bar hopping and food.
Morjim
Beach
The calm and peaceful ambience
of Morjim Beach will soothe all your travel fatigue. Embrace your Goa holidays
by walking on this unsurpassed beauty that only a few beaches in Goa can be
compared with. Apart from enticing beach bars and shacks, Morjim also attracts
olive ridley sea turtles, the most popular attraction at this beach.
Things to do in Morjim: Bird
sightseeing, adventure activities.
Explore
the Goan Cuisine
Goan cuisine is a perfect
blend of Konkani, French, Malaysian, Portuguese and Catholic influence!
Goan cuisine is blisteringly rich
and delicious. The traditional Goan food is a favourite with Indians as well as
foreign tourists. Rice, seafood, coconut milk, meat, pork and local spices are
the main elements of the Goan cuisine. Fish curry and rice are Goa's staple
food. Due to its long coastline, the magic of Goan cuisine encompasses seafood
dishes that are highly influenced by the Portuguese culture.
Kingfish is the most prominent
seafood commonly present in most Goan meals. Other seafood cuisines of Goa
include prawns, shark, tuna, mackerel, crabs, lobsters, squids, etc. Some
specific Goan specialties are Goan fish curry, Fish Caldine, Xacuti, Pork
vindaloo, Sannas, Sorpotel, and Bebinca. Try Feni- the local Goan alcohol prepared
from cashew or palm toddy.
P.S.: This is a collaborative post