Travel to Goa with travel insurance from Essential Travel

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Information on Goa with single trip travel insurance from Essential Travel

Goa has been a popular destination for hippies and New Age travellers since the late 1960s, but there is much more to the tiny Indian state than its glorious beaches, laid-back atmosphere and party crowd. Goa is a rich melting pot of Portuguese and Indian influences; the Portuguese arrived in 1498 and stayed for almost 500 years, leaving behind their mark. This tourist-oriented place has plenty of five-star resorts to give you an easy introduction to India

Getting There

The state capital, Panjim, is centrally located and Dabolim Airport lies 29kms to the south. Air-India has direct flights from London once a week, or you can fly via Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Cochin, Hyderabad, Bangalore (via Mumbai) and Ahmedabad. The flight from Mumbai is 40 minutes.

Several daily trains go from Mumbai to Goa along the Konkan Railway and take around 10 to 12 hours. The overnight Mumbai-Madgaon Konkan Express, which leaves at 22:40, is the best choice. From the south, the 07:00 train from Mangalore to Margao (6 hours, 30 minutes) provides some stuning views. Goas three main areas are at Thivim in the north (20kms from Vagator), Karmali (12kms from Panjim), and Margao in the south.

Key Attractions

Old Goa was supposedly the richest city in Asia during the late 16th and early 17th centuries, before cholera and malaria epidemics forced a move of the capital in 1759. It is today a UNESCO World Heritage site and pleasantly explored on foot. To the northwest is the Arch of the Viceroys, built in 1597. Nearby, the Church of St Cajetan dates from 1651 and was modelled after St Peters in Rome. Southwest of here is the grand St Catherines Cathedral, which took nearly 80 years to build. The Basilica of Bom Jesus (Cathedral of the Good Jesus) houses the Miraculous Cross, which is said to cure the sick.

Out and About

Panjim, the state capital after it was moved from Old Goa in 1759, is situated at the mouth of the Mandovi River. The beautiful colonial Portuguese architecture is the best feature of the city and is particularly noticeable in the eastern neighbourhoods of Fontainhas and San Taome. Here, youll find cobbled streets with old mansions and churches dating as far back as the mid-1700s. Panjim is 30 minutes from Old Goa.

Leisure Options

North of Panjim are the beaches of Calangute, Baga and Anjuna - made famous by the hippies of the 1960s, but serving more as resort areas today. South of Panjim the beaches are more pristine and secluded. Alternatively, take a daytrip to the Goan interior, to the Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary, where you can see Goas oldest Hindu temple, Mahadeva Temple in Tambdi Surla, and the 600-metre-high Dudhsagar (Sea of Milk) Falls.

Safety

Goa has a party atmosphere with plenty of drugs on offer. It’s best to avoid getting yourself in a situation where you may have an extended holiday in an Indian prison. Additionally, outdoor activities can put you at risk of accidents. You should take out travel insurance before heading to Goa.

Weather in Goa

Goa is a year-round destination, but it is best to travel there in winter. The weather between October and April is balmy, the days are sunny and the nights are cool. The summers are very hot and humid and it can rain heavily from June to August and this heavy rainfall can make it unsafe to swim.

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