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Thomson Destinations
"Basking in the sun on India's west coast, Goa is a tropical paradise of pristine beaches, sparkling smiles and a landscape painted with colour."
Goa
reviews Video tour & customer son.co.uk thom
A magical half-moon crescent cut into the side of India, Goa is a truly exotic destination, where endless sunshine peeps through leafy palms onto fine sands and warm seas. The region's glorious beaches spread for over 66 miles along a pristine coastline and each sweep has its own distinct character. Goa is also steeped in history with grand colonial mansions, whitewashed churches and ornate Hindu temples sitting harmoniously alongside tiny fishing villages. Whether you choose to hit the beach resorts and while away lazy days beneath the sun or join a cultural tour to take in the magnificence of the Taj Mahal, you'll be treated to a holiday like no other where every sight is individual and every experience is unforgettable.
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Valpoi
Bicholim
Fly from
Chorao Divar Island Island
· London Gatwick · Birmingham · Manchester
Mapusa
Old Goa
Ponda
More
Legroom on Thomsonfly
Arpora Saligao PANJIM Baga Calangute Beach Beach Vainguinim Candolim Beach Sinquerim Dona Paula Beach
Cortalim Arrosim Beach Majorda Margao Utorda Beach Beach Betalbatim Colva Benaulim Beach Varca Beach Cavelossim Beach Mobor Beach GOA
8 km
© TUI 2005
Vasco Da Gama
Beaches Without a doubt Goa's main attraction are its tropical beaches - all 105 kilometres of them. Wherever you go sunshine peeps through leafy palms onto fine sands. Some swathes like Morjim, Agonda and Patnem - are virtually untouched, with fishing boats, sleepy villages and coconut groves providing the backdrop. We're talking near-deserted numbers where the only set of footprints you're likely to see in the sand are your own. Others - like Baga, Calangute, Candolim and Cavelossim - are packed with sun-bathers, hair-braiders and fruitsellers. But even these busier `tourist' stretches are fairly low key, with bamboo-and-thatch beach bars and colonial-style accommodation pulled up against the shore. Eating out If you're among the 2.5million Brits popping down to their local curry house each week, you'll love Goa. After all, where better to have an Indian than in, well, India? Vindaloo. Tandoori. Biryani. You'll find all your favourites here, not to mention coconut-centric Goan curries. Check out the `dhabas' or `bhojanalyas', basic little eateries that are great value for money where the cooking's done right in front of you. Often `dhals', mushy curry-spiced lentils, are served up for free - you just pay for the side of rice or chapattis. If curry and spice isn't your thing though, don't worry - the big hotels cater really well for Western palettes. Shopping Okay, so designer boutiques and glitzy shopping malls aren't exactly ten a penny in these parts. But that's really not what Goa's about. Instead, it treats you to eye-popping markets. Take Mapusa's weekly offering. Every Friday, a circus of stalls rolls into town. Like big top ringmasters, hollering merchants entice the crowds. And the main act? Trestle tables piled high with wood carvings and little papier-mâché boxes. Crates overflowing with pineapples and melons. And knick-knacks made from shells and bamboo laid out on the ground. Nightlife If you're a bit of a party animal, then Goa's your zoo. Ever since the hippies made this place their Mecca back in the 60's, it's been India's premier nightspot. It's perhaps best known for its famous - or infamous depending on your opinion - Full Moon Parties. Still as popular as ever, people travel from all over the globe to experience these fluorescent gatherings. Usually starting around midnight, they're the place to be if you want to dance until dawn. It's a real melting pot of nationalities, joined together for one wild night of partying.
Goa
Explore and Enjoy
Back to Nature - Journey to the Southern most tip of Goa to visit the quiet and uninhabited blue lagoon of Canacona beach. The southern coast is a playground for dolphins and you can spend time relaxing while you swim, snorkel, sunbathe, fish or dolphin spot. As the sun sets, enjoy a campfire dinner before staying overnight in Royal tents set under the palm trees right on the beach. Floating Palace - Cruise down the river on a converted Rice Boat passing by tiny villages dotted with temples and churches set among lush greenery. Dine under the stars where the only sounds are that of the river. The cool breeze and the tranquility of the area will completely relax you before you retire to your own cabin for the night. On the second day you can fish, bird watch, sunbathe or simply relax while sailing back
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Average daily hours of sunshine - Goa 3 1 1 1 8 18 18 13 1 1 1 Average monthly rainfall in cms - Goa 41 35 23 19 20 36 59 64 51 32 31 42 Average monthly humidity % - Goa
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