Goa

Home to the largest church in Asia, Goa is an exploration of a deep and twisting history with turns through different cultures that have left remnants behind after their departure. The Portuguese ruled Goa for over 500 years and their mark is easily visible in the architecture and religion left behind. During your holiday in Goa be sure to visit the Se Cathedral and the Basilica of Bom Jesus. The Basilica of Bom Jesus was built in 1605 and is the final resting place of St. Francis Xavier, also known as the Apostle of the Indies. You can attend mass any day of the week at the basilica, with services in English on Sundays. Your Goa holiday would not be complete without enjoying the simplistic, Tuscan architecture of the Se Cathedral which took 90 years to build and is the largest church in Asia.

Primarily a coastal town, holidays to Goa are known for magnificently clean white-sand beaches and crystal clear waters. Whether you’re holiday to Goa is for a honeymoon or to party, there’s the perfect beach for you. If you’re looking for nightlife and great beach parties for your holiday in Goa, Baga beach is the place to visit. Known as one of the best tourist destinations in Goa, the edges of Baga beach are lined with beach shacks serving fantastic seafood. You’ll also find numerous opportunities for water sports and dolphin watching. For honeymooners or those looking for more privacy, Mandrem beach or Agonda beach is the place to be. If you’re just looking for a beautiful beach to relax, practice yoga or even meditate, the white sands and contrasting black rocks of Cavelossim beach will fit the bill. Holidays in Goa provide the perfect opportunity to explore the outdoor markets to meet locals, enjoy food and shop for souvenirs. Near Anjuna beach you’ll find the Anjuna flea market every Wednesday. For live music and fresh-cooked eats, be sure to stop by the Saturday Night Market or Mackie’s Night Bazaar.

After 500 years of rule by the Portuguese, Goan cuisine has many interesting influences. There are two major types of cuisine that you’ll find whilst on holiday in Goa; Catholic cuisine and Hindu Cuisine. The main dish that bonds even these two cuisines together is fish curry served with rice; that’s the staple meal in Goa. Hindu cuisine in Goa is the more traditional cuisine and has resisted changes from the spice and flavours imported by the Portuguese and other travellers from across the ocean. Many locals are pescatarians or lacto-vegetarians, which means that very little meat (other than fish) is used in Goan Hindu cuisine. On the other hand, Catholic cuisine has been infused with intense spices, chilli peppers, pork, chicken and coconut milk. No matter what food you try in Goa, it will have been prepared with careful, deliberate love. Cooking is a labour of love in Goa, the longer a meal takes to prepare and cook, the finer it is.

Along with the clash of cultures in Goa, you’ll also find a clash of religion and celebrations. Depending on the time of year that you’re in Goa, you could celebrate Christmas, Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, or Carnaval where you can see float parades, dances and cultural programs throughout the region. Be sure to find out what festivals and celebrations will be going on during the time that you’re taking holidays to Goa.

Holidays in Goa are truly a year-round joy. Anytime of year you’re planning holidays to Goa, you’ll be able to find something amazing to do. Many travellers even enjoy Goa during the monsoon season which is from June to August and is filled with downpours of rain.

Goa has two main tourist seasons, one from October to January and another in May. No matter the time of year or the weather, there are always celebrations going on in Goa and great food to eat. The weather in Goa never gets cold, rarely dropping below 25 C and is often much cooler than other parts of India with highs only up to 30 C.

Braving Monsoon Season

If your holidays take you to Goa during the monsoon season, there’s still plenty to do, see and eat. The weather in Goa is generally temperate with the only demarcation of season coming from the monsoon rains during June, July, August and sometimes September. One of the benefits of traveling during monsoon season is that there are less tourists and the earth is cleansed by the rain. Though there are only three to five hours of sunshine during the monsoon months, this is a great time to explore nature and see the vibrant biodiversity of Goa that is brought to life by the rains. This is a fantastic time of year to visit the Bhagwan Mahvir Wildlife Preserve which is inside Mollem National Park. After visiting the wildlife sanctuary, be sure to stop and see Dudhsagar Falls, which are at their most powerful and beautiful during the monsoon rains. While at the falls, you can enjoy some food or swim near the falls, enjoying the wonderment of nature’s power. Holidays in Goa during the monsoon season are a solitary time. It’s a great time for self-reflection, meditation or just reading a good book while you listen to the rain patter down onto the palm fronds and disappear into the ocean. If you want to stay dry during the monsoon season, this is a great time to visit the churches and museums that Goa has to offer.

Every Other Day of the Year

The rest of the year offers perfect weather for your Goa holiday. One of the best ways to spend your time on your holiday in Goa is exactly how you want to. With weather as perfect as Goa has to offer, almost all year round, you can’t go wrong in any activity that you choose. Possibly staying inside would be a mistake as you’d miss the sights and fabulous weather, but other than that, you can’t go wrong. Year round, even during monsoon season, Goa’s weather fluctuates from 20 to 30 degrees. That means that every day is the perfect day to lie out on the beach soaking up the sun and watching the waves for playful dolphins. During the season you’ll find lots of celebrations and festivals to attend or just enjoy the sun as you wander the streets, eating food and exploring local shops. The non-monsoon season is a great time to explore Goa’s rich wine culture. You can also try the traditional, local alcohol called feni that’s commonly made from the flower of the cashew plant or coconuts. Whatever you choose to do, enjoy the diverse culture and history of during your holiday in Goa.