Goa Holiday Packages
Goa is known by most as a coastal retreat, primarily because of the beaches and bathing opportunities in the coastal region of Konkan. However, there’s more to India’s smallest state than just sand and shore. Visitors will find plenty of cultural and religious references as well as natural wonders.
La Vacanza Travel offers a variety of holiday packages in Goa that caters to the taste of a diverse clientele. Whether you’re visiting to experience nature or soak up culture, you will find something fascinating within India’s pint-sized state.
Best Time to Visit
Goa experiences beautiful weather from November up until March. The days are typically balmy and clear, with a cool sea breeze going through. Planning your visit during this time ensures that you get the most out of the tour packages and excursions that you select.
Experiences in Goa
See the forts
There are a handful of forts in Goa, each with its own characteristics. However, there are three that draw considerably more attention. Reis Magos is the oldest fort in the state was initially used as the viceroy’s residence. Protected on all sides with distinctive reddish laterite laws and studded by Portuguese watchtowers, it offers breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside including the Reis Magos Church that lies a short distance away.
Meanwhile, the Chapora fort has gained popularity for another reason. This striking fort is a favorite location for Bollywood filmmakers. Built during Portuguese occupation, Chapora Fort stands at the mouth of the Chapora River. Much of the structure has eroded over the years but it makes a picturesque contrast to the gleaming water.
Finally, there’s Fort Aguada, a well-preserved Portuguese stronghold built in the 17th century. It is located on the Sinquerim Beach in North Goa and was constructed to defend the Portuguese troops and settlers against the Dutch and Marathas.
Fort Aguada is ringed by thick battlements and a deep dry moat. Inside, you’ll find a 13-metre high lighthouse built in 1864. There’s also a vaulted cistern capable of storing ten million liters of fresh water that supplied ships that stopped there.
Visit religious sanctuaries
Portuguese colonizers didn’t just leave their mark through the fortifications they built in Goa. They also built impressive churches to help spread the Catholic faith to the natives. One church that’s worth visiting is the Basilica of Bom Jesus, a UNESCO World Heritage site that houses the remains of St. Francis Xavier.
Tourists fascinated or practicing Hinduism can head over to the Mangeshi Temple for some spiritual intervention. Located in Goa’s Ponda region, the Shri Temple is over 450 years old. Highlights of this sacred complex include a seven-story lamp tower, a magnificent water tank, and a Nandi Bull.
Enjoy the water
Ending a full day of sightseeing at the beach is a must in Goa. The tour packages on offer will almost always include a coastal destination of some kind. Baga and Calungete beaches are popular and usually crowded with people while Ashwem and Arossim are more tranquil alternatives.