Goa is India’s smallest state area wise with its capital being Panaji. Goa is known for its colonial Portuguese influence in its architecture and cuisine, its beaches and rave parties and water sports. The white sandy beaches with their swaying coconut trees are the greatest attraction of Goa where tourists from around the globe crowd to. Some of the more popular beaches are, Calangute, Miramar, Anjuna, Vagator, Candolim and Baga. In addition to soaking in the sun one can enjoy a variety of water sports at these beaches. The Anjuna and Arambol beaches provide paragliding facilities, while Baga, Calangute and Candolim you can indulge in parasailing, jet skiing and wind surfing. Although the waters are murky but there are some very good diving spots. You can hire a boat and go deep sea fishing in Arambol, Palolem and Benaulim beaches. Another popularity is the dolphin cruise which allows you to witness various varieties of dolphin like the black finned porpoises, the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins and the common dolphins. Cruises also take you to see the spice plantations and on way you can spot the crocodiles that are sunbathing.
Some retreats offer elephant safaris which is a good way to get a feel of the local culture. You can even indulge in joining the elephants frolicking in the water and feed them too. Goa does not have mountains but some high hills that have good trekking trails and from these hill tops you can get amazing views of the landscape. Goa has numerous churches as during the Portuguese rule church building was the singular most popular occupation. The churches of Goa have played a very important social role as they helped in the spread of education and religion are responsible for the building of many hospitals. Out of these the most famous one is the Basilica of Bom Jesus, built in the 16th century and having the remains of the patron saint of Goa St. Francis Xavier are kept. This church is a world heritage site. Mary Immaculate Inception is Goa’s most famous landmark and beautifully constructed. St. Augustine Church is one of the most stunning of Goa’s monuments.
If you want to have a peek into the culture and traditions of the locals, then the best thing to do is to take the local buses which drive into the heart of the Goan villages. Along the way you will come across the cashew nut plantations, cashew nut being one of the major agricultural products of the state. You must definitely try the Goan cuisine, which has a lot of variety with some dishes being a mix of the local Konkan cuisine with elements of Portuguese flavors in them. Some worth trying dishes include Ambok Tik (fish curry), Prawn Balchao, Fish Richeado, Sorpotel and Chicken Cafreal.
Goa is synonymous with FUN dance, music and celebration. The outdoor life raves in Goa` and during New Years and Christmas these raves acquire a totally different flavor and attract thousands of tourists. The Bamboo Forest in Anjuna Beach and the Disco Valley at Vagator are popular party hotspots.
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enjoy your vacation to Goa by yacht to the backwaters and beaches of Goa
goa is a beautiful place to visit, id say nothin like inb the sub continent but the local and i mean the local youth are nothing but a bunch of low lives and thieves, they try to con people at everything. their main sourse of income is through pimping and selling drugs. so people please do visit goa but just stay away from the low lives. good luck!