Embrace Goa, Embrace Life ? For There's Nothing Like It

Beaches, exquisite sceneries, parties, and an opportunity to let your hair down and unwind... What is the first thing that comes to mind when one uses all those in one sentence? If the answer isn’t Goa, one is probably looking in the wrong place.

What better place would you rather be at than here – spending a day on a pristine white sand beach, crystal clear blue water stretching out until the eyes can see, waves lapping over one another, cool breeze reinvigorating the very soul in you, sweeping lush greens of the flora, and the heavenly sunshine to top the beauty that mother nature has to offer. The state, which was once a Portuguese colony, attracts scores of tourists all year long owing to several beautiful beaches that line up the Goan coast.

As the month of December draws near, Christmas festivities envelope the entire state in excitement and jubilation. Lights, music and celebrations – tourists from the world over come together to celebrate the festival and indulge in mouth watering seafood, witness local traditions and cultures, and participate in carol singing. Streets are lit up and dressed with vibrant decorations. People hang colourful five pointed stars outside their homes. For food lovers, there is an expansive array of cuisines and delightful dishes that constitute the Christmas feast. Roast turkey, curries indigenous to the area, and the widely popular Bebinca (a cake made from eggs, flour, coconut milk and buttery goodness) are only a few of the wonderful delicacies on offer during this month.

Beaches to visit

One of the truly majestic beaches scattered along the coast is the Mandrem Beach in North Goa, listed as the best beach in the state by Travel.India.com. The serenity of the beach has made it popular among honeymooners. The quietness and tranquillity fills the air with romance. If you’re looking for a lazy vacation – to spend your days on the beach, try some amazing cuisines (especially seafood), or take a swim in sparkling clean blue waters – Mandrem Beach will not disappoint you.

Arambol beach in North Goa perhaps has it all – lovely sceneries, serene beaches and scores of places to shop. Stretching for 16 kilometers, the sweeping exquisiteness that is the Arambol beach is enveloped by cliffs on two sides and also has a freshwater lake. While it offers plentiful opportunities to loosen up, relax and unbend oneself, a trip to the Arambol Beach isn’t quite complete unless one has indulged in a bit of shopping. The beach is also regarded as the capital of the hippie culture in India. The Glastonbury Street is dotted with boutiques selling a variety of articles.

For partygoers, foodies and adventure sports enthusiasts, there cannot be anything better than Baga Beach. Like burning the dance floor and lose control to the tunes of electronic and trance music? Want to bite into delectable, mouth watering and authentic cuisines at myriad shacks and restaurants? Up for water sports and dolphin cruises? You need to head straight to Baga Beach.

When to go

There are plentiful reasons why vacationers should visit Goa between mid-November and mid-February. Not only is the weather pleasant and cool, the month of December in the state is packed with frolicking parties and celebrations. While the month marks the Christmas and New Year festivities, Goa is also home to the highly popular festival, Sunburn.

Mid-June to October is the time when monsoons hit Goa, offering a needed respite following the hot and humid summers (lasting from March to May). The rains rejuvenate the state, the lush and blossoming greenery of the countryside attracting a plethora of tourists and vacationers from all over the country.

Where to stay

A vacation in Goa is always memorable. Parties, celebrations, picturesque beaches, scenic backdrops of the green countryside – there are several reasons why Goa remains one of the most preferred destinations among vacationers in India and overseas. And to compliment a perfect holiday, you need a perfect accommodation. Sterling Holidays’ Villagio, Goa, is located against the backdrop of the serene little village of South Goa.

Members can go with the Studio rooms, while guests can choose between the Classic Room and the Privilege Suite. The resort also offers an abundance of amenities and activities, including a swimming pool, lounge, coffee shop, and a play area where families can indulge in indoor games like pool, table tennis and carom.

Getting to Goa

Tourists can reach Goa by air, bus or rail. The Dabolim Airport is situated 29 kilometers from the capital Panaji. The state is well connected to various parts of India, with flights from all major cities and towns arriving here. Several inter-city and intra-city buses provide transportation for tourists. Private and public buses travel daily from nearby cities of Mumbai and Pune. If you want to opt for rail, the major stations in Goa are Madgaon and Thivim, which are well connected to all Indian cities and towns.

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