The tiny state of Goa, located halfway down India's western coast, has long been renowned for its natural beauty: golden sandy beaches, coconut groves, vibrant green paddy fields and dense forests. Venture within and you'll find an intriguing blend of East and West: 450 years of Portuguese rule is still evident in its mix of religion, cuisine and architecture, and baroque churches and grand mansions dot the landscape.

Goa has retained a laid-back feel, the people are friendly and it's relatively safe. There are some great little hideaways ranging from simple beach cabanas to stylish small hotels and Portuguese mansions. It's good value, too; eating out is cheap and seafood is abundant.

Goa Marriot Resort – Goa

The Leela Palace – Goa

Resorte Marinha Dourada – Goa

Radisson Blu – Goa

Lemon Tree Amarante – Goa

Villa River Cat – Goa

Hotel Taj Exotica – Goa

Dona Sylvia Beach Resort – Goa

Victor Exotica – Goa

Laguna Anjuna – Goa

Kenilworth Beach Resort – Goa

Notes :

No tour in India is complete without a visit to Goa. It is not only a place to unwind and relax but the long coastline offers excellent opportunity for water sports as well. Banana Boats, water scooters, sailing, snorkeling, parasailing – the best water sports can be enjoyed by the vacationer. The ideal condition for sea, sand, surf, beach, palm-fringed locations and excellent sea-food – indulge yourself in this paradise state. Goa really offers the best of both worlds – you can either choose to party till you drop or you could find a quiet corner on the beach to watch a glorious sunset. The best way to get around Goa is to hire a motorcycle or a scooter – the roads are good, the traffic isn’t chaotic like in most Indian cities and the people are helpful and friendly – you’ll never get lost in Goa. But just remember – drinking and driving don’t go together!

North and South Goa are two different worlds. The North started receiving visitors much earlier and is therefore more ‘developed’ in terms of shops, restaurants and party places. It’s definitely more lively than the laid back South which gets fewer tourists. Most of the action is in the Baga-Anjuna-Vagator belt. The offshore Casino Royale, off Panjim, offers the largest gaming experience in Goa while the northern beaches of Arambol and Mandrem offer a totally different experience – a throwback to the old hippie days. Remember, while they might be available, psychotropic drugs are illegal in Goa – just like in the rest of India.