Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Goa

GoaThe most comprehensive beach resort in the country, Goa is approachable from Mumbai (Bombay) by air. Goa’s coastline provides endless sun drenched crescents of sand. Vagator, Anjuna, Baga, Calangute and Candolim stretch out in an unbroken palm fringed line. Other beaches are at Miramar and Colva. Parasailing, yachting, windsurfing, and deep sea diving are some of the more popular water sports, facilities for which are available. In addition, every sort of accommodation fringes the beaches, from deluxe resorts to budget lodgings Inland, 451 years of Portuguese rule has imbued Goa’s towns and villages with a unique culture. Whitewashed chapels and churches that dot the landscape are surrounded by sleepy villages and rice fields.

Goa MapPanjim, the capital city, and Margao, an important town, have private houses and government buildings that date back to Portuguese times. Old Goa, now deserted, has a collection of Goa’s largest churches: Se Cathedral with its Iberian exterior, Bom Jesu which enshrines the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier and the starkly beautiful Convent of Saint Monica are a few of these. Mapusa, a market town, comes alive every Friday with a quaint pavement bazar.

Hotels

Deluxe – The Fort Aguada Beach Resort and The Aguada Heritage, The Taj Holiday Village, The Oberoi Bogmalo Beach Resort, Majorda Beach Resort, The Leela Beach, Goa Renaissance Resort, Cidade de ’Goa, Old Anchor.

Standard – Whispering Palms, Dona Sylvia, Fidalgo, Baia Do Sol, Mandovi, Dona Paula,Golden Goa, La Paz, Nova Goa.

Budget – GTDC runs tourist hostels at Panaji, Calangute, Mavem, Tirekhal Fort, Molem, Mapusa, Margao and Vasco da Gama.
Altitude: Sea level to 1022 mts
Climate (°C):
Summer: Max 33, Min 26
Winter: Max 31, Min 20
Rainfall: June to September (350 cms)
Best Season: October to May (Peak season December to February)

How to get there

Air Air:
Goa (Dabolim Airport) is connected by Indian Airlines and Air India to Mumbai (Bombay), Bangalore, Cochin, Delhi, Chennai (Madras) and Ahmedabad. Private Airlines such as East West, Goa Way also operate flights to Goa.
Rail Rail:
Vasco-da-Gama and Margoa are connected by train with Bangalore, Belgaum, Hospet, Hubli and Hyderabad and via Miraj to Mumbai (Bombay), Delhi and Agra.
Road

Road:
Panaji, the capital of Goa, is connected by road to Bangalore-598 kms, Belgaum-157 km, Mumbai (Bombay) -594 km, Gokarn-154 km, Hospet-315 km, Hubli-184 km, Karwar-103 km, Kolhapur-246 km, Malwan-150 km, Mangalore-371 kms, Mysore-696 kms, Pune-458 kms, Ratnagiri-263 kms, Vengurla-73 kms etc.

Bus Services Local Transport:
Kadamba Transport Corporation. MSRTC and KSRTC operate frequent bus services between Panaji, Vasco, Margao and to Bangalore, Belgaum, Gokarn, Hubli, Karwar, Kolhapur, Malwan, Mangalore, Miraj, Mysore, Pune, Ratnagiri and Vengurla.
Local buses, auto-rickshaws and motor-cycles/taxis available.
Sea Sea:
Ship services between Mumbai (Bombay) and Goa organised by Damania.

Internal Distances:

  • Panaji to Baga beach (18 kms)
  • Bondla (55 kms)
  • Calangute (16 kms)
  • Dabolim Airport (29 kms)
  • Mapusa (13 kms)
  • Margao (33 kms)
  • Old Goa (10 kms)
  • Terekhol (42 kms)
  • Vagator (22 kms)
  • Vasco-da-gama (30 kms)
  • Ponda (28 kms).

Excursions

From Panaji:

  • Dona Paula Bay (7 kms)
  • Old Goa (10 kms) with its Basilica of Bom Jesus
  • Se Cathedral
  • Archaeological Museum and other churches
  • Mangueshi Temple (22 kms)
  • Shantadura Temple (33 kms)
  • Calangute (16 kms)
  • Baga Beach (18 kms)

From Mapusa:

  • Beaches of Calangute (8 kms)
  • Baga (10 kms)
  • Arambol/Harmal (31 kms)
  • Anjuna (8 kms)
  • Vagator (9 kms) & Mandrem (30 kms) both via Pernem
  • Temples of Shri Dutta & Shri Vithal at Sanguelim (25 kms)
  • Temple of Sapta Koteshwar at Narve (24 kms)
  • Temple of Kalikadevi at Kansarpal (14 kms)
  • Church of Mae de deus at Saligao (10 kms)
  • Church at Monte de Guiri (2 kms)
  • Mayem Lake (21 kms)
  • Arvalem Waterfalls (29 kms)
  • Terekhol Fort (30 kms)

From Vasco:

  • Margao Harbour (3 kms)
  • Bogmalo Beach (9 kms)
  • St.Jacinto Island (7 kms)
  • Velsao Beach (10 kms)
  • Kesarval Springs (15 kms)
  • Pilar Seminary (19 kms)

From Ponda:

  • Bondla wildlife
  • Molem wildlife etc.
  • Temple or Tambdi Surla (70 km) dating back to the 12th century in Sanguem. Mayem Lake (35 km) from Panaji, a popular picnic. spol. The Molem Wildlife Sanctuary is a route to Belgaum.

Water Sports

Such as windsurfing, Dinghy Sailing, Water-Skiing, Parasailing etc. are organised by various hotels & by GTDC, Agua Sports Assn,Goa Yatching Assn & Dona Paula Sports Club.

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