Tag: Goa

  • Goa: A New Year Paradise!

    Goa: A New Year Paradise!

    Goa topping the bucket list of any traveler planning a Christmas or a New year vacation doesn’t come as any surprise. Goa has been synonymous with stunning beaches, pleasant climate, breathtaking greenery, and an ever welcoming residents of this beautiful South Indian state. While most other tourist Destinations are freezing to death. Kerala & Goa become the most sought Destinations for Tourists flocking in to celebrate New year!

    And it’s both these festive occasions which make Goa more relevant due to all Party places & the Carnivals!

    We’ll try & compile a few good reasons for you to hit Goa right now with of course keeping all safety measures and Covid19 precautions into consideration!

    Sunburn Festival:

    Post Christmas and pre New year Goa hosts one of the biggest music festivals in India, the Sunburn music festival. The time between Christmas & New year calls for incessant Partying, and no place does it as Goa does. This music festival hosts the best of musicians and if you are the one who grooves to the sound of music then this is the place for you!

    This year Sunburn Festival is being organized at Vagator Beach from the 27th to 30th December and promises to be a party to remember.

    Party Hopping:

    The close of the year & welcoming the new year gives way to the biggest of party’s and Goa undoubtedly hosts the best of them. Goa is famed for its new year Parties and Tourists from all over the world flock to the party in Goa. Covid19 has changed the circumstances this year around but that won’t stop the Domestic crowd for sure, though the Goa government has been taking all the necessary precautions & safety measures.

    Other than the night clubs, there are many beach parties that happen across the best beaches in Goa such as Vagator, Baga, and Anjuna beach. It’s one of the best reasons to enjoy yourself at the many beach shacks too throughout the night. For a unique experience, try the Silent Noise Parties held on the Palolem beach.

    Cruise experience on Mandovi river:

    Other than just partying Goa also provides a lot of options for Tourists. River Cruise on the Mandovi River is one among them. The cruise options vary from houseboats, sailboats, and yachts and can be specifically chosen to watch the Sunset, for a Party/ Dinner, or a Nature Cruise. The route for Mandovi Cruises will give you a chance to explore the Portuguese colonies and Vanxim and Divar and Chorao Islands. The cruises are a perfect combination of the Goan lifestyle and hospitality to make it a memorable experience for the tourists.

    Hot air Balloon ride:

    Goa is undisputedly the best party Destination in India. But it also hosts a lot of Recreational activities for the Tourists, One of the most exciting soft adventure activities that you can experience here is Hot Air Ballooning. This amazing balloon ride will provide you 360-degree views of the gorgeous landscape of Goa. Witnessing all the fun and frolic and vast and unending boundaries of the sea from high above is an exceptional experience. The best one though is getting to witness an unusual view of sunrise or sunset from distant horizons of the sea which surely will be a memorable experience.

    Celebrate Christmas at Goa:

    Being a Christian dominated place with historical churches and rich Christian tradition, to be in Goa during Christmas time is inexplicable. The place is transformed into a captivating state of festive ardour that engulfs everyone. Old Goa is wonderful in December as you get mesmerized by the giant and beautifully decorated Churches, the vast number of stalls selling homemade chocolates and cakes, and the irresistible atmosphere of general happiness and merry-making. Some famous churches to visit during Christmas time in Goa include Basilica of Bom Jesus, Se Cathedral, Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception, and Church of St. Francis of Assisi. Celebrating Christmas is one of the highlights of holidaying in Goa in December.

    Go Parasailing:

    Another recreational activity you can indulge in is Parasailing Who doesn’t want to enjoy the breathtaking view of the blue Arabian Sea while flying high up in the sky, defying the limits as it were? Parasailing is one of the most popular adventure sports on offer in Goa. Tourists usually prefer winch boat parasailing where the taking off and landing of the parachute happens on the winch boat itself attached at the other end of the parachute. This one is a hot favorite amongst families, kids, and couples as it offers the perfect combination of thrill and enjoyment while being comparatively easier than the other water sports. 

    The Saturday night Bazaar:

    The night bazaar at Arpora, also known as Ingo’s Night Bazaar is a wonderful night market. This market is quite appealing as you can find some unique artificial jewelry here.

    The market is divided into three sections, each selling a certain category of items. You can find here vendors selling fruits, vegetables, jewelry, home decor items, spices, wines, as well as locally designed clothes and bags. It is a haven for foodies as there are eateries with a variety of cuisines to choose from especially the local Goan Cuisine.

    Go Trekking to Dudh Sagar:

    If you are the one with nature, then you can take Nature’s way as well. One of the most thrilling trek trails starts from the village of Kuveshi. Unlike the other trek routes, this one takes you through the jungle and rippling slopes. The difficulty level is moderate and the panorama compensates for the longer trail. However, it is not recommended to undertake this trek in the months of monsoon as the Mandovi river, over which the trail crosses, can get quite rough and uncontrollable during the monsoon months. Another trekking route starts at the Kulhem/Collem railway station and stretches for about 11km. The difficulty level on this one is easy. However, one that is most preferred by tourists is the trekking trail that starts at Castle Rock station in Karnataka.

    The Goan Casinos:

    If you are a party animal and the casino life lures you, this is the place for you. Often synonymous with brilliant beaches, Goa is a hotspot for non-stop nightlife and best of all, casinos. You can visit these casinos in Goa any time of the day or night and there are numerous casinos to choose from each offering different attractions such as food, drinks, and beautiful views of the sea. Poker, Roulette, Black Jack, you name it, there is a casino in Goa promising a thrilling time.

    Goa new year Carnival:

    The Goa Carnival is held every year in Goa before the beginning of the Christian sacred observance of Lent. Lent marks a 40 day period of strict fasting and abstinence from non-vegetarian food and alcohol and hence Goans try and make the most of the days immediately preceding lent. The Goa Carnival is spread over a period of three to four days.

    During the Goa Carnival, you’ll witness beautiful parades, dancing and music, and delicious food- lots of it in fact. Since the dates of Lent are decided by the Liturgical Calendar, the season varies each year, causing a variance in the dates of the Goa Carnival as well. 

    Most of the celebrations of the Goa Carnival take place around Panjim, Margao, and Vasco da Gama. The carnival features, clowns, fire eaters, and dancers among other attractions and many other forms of entertainment as well. Hundreds of tourists come to visit the Goa Carnival each year and if you wish to be part of the carnival you can take part in the finale dance, popularly known as the Red and Black Dance.

    We are sure you have enough reasons to hit Goa right now with all necessary Precautions and Safety measures of course! Well, it is never a bad idea to plan for a trip to goa.

  • Wintery Destinations Of India Which You Shouldn’t Miss!

    Wintery Destinations Of India Which You Shouldn’t Miss!

    A season of a plate of hot Pakoras & hotter Chais, Winters in India are usually waited with bated breath and an inexplicable longing. Majorly experienced during the months of Dec & Jan it’s a very short affair compared to a good 10 months of sweltering heat and Blazing sun, well Monsoons do come in as a reprise but Summers in India are a non ending tale.

    Still the vast geographical expanse does give us a few places to look forward to in Winters. A colder & a harsher winter is predicted this year due to La Nina Conditions. It is a recurring phenomenon and the change in temperature is accompanied by changes in the patterns of upper and lower level winds, sea level pressure, and tropical rainfall across the Pacific Basin. It’s not good news for places with extreme air pollution especially the likes of Delhi where Covid19 has already taken a toll. Yet here are a few places in India where we have nearly dreamy Winters!

    Auli, Uttarakhand:

    Auli is a Himalayan ski resort and hill station in the north Indian state of Uttarakhand. Encapsulated by coniferous and oak forests it’s as good as a place straight out of dream. It also is surrounded by the Nanda Devi and Nar Parvat mountains. A long cable car links Auli to the town of Joshimath. North of Auli has the colorful & Divine Badrinath Temple and the Valley of Flowers National Park, with its alpine flora and wildlife like snow leopards and red foxes. With snow-draped peaks on every side and tranquility abound, Auli is the ultimate winter destination.

    Manali, Himachal Pradesh:

    A resort town in northern Himachal Manali is fondly known as the Honeymoon town. With towering snow-capped Himalayan peaks and stunning valleys, Manali is a beautiful place year-round, and perhaps at its best in winter. It is also known as the backpacking center. Located on the Beas River, it’s a gateway for skiing in the Solang Valley and trekking in Parvati Valley. It’s also a jumping-off point for paragliding, rafting, and mountaineering in the Pir Panjal mountains, home to 4,000m-high Rohtang Pass.

    Shimla, Himachal Pradesh:

    Rightly the capital of Himachal, Shimla was once the summer resort of the British. Shimla is the most popular base for treks. In winter, there is skiing at Kufri and Narkanda from January to mid-March. Shopping is a relishing experience at some of Shimla’s most lively and colorful markets like Lakkar Bazaar. The Kalka- Shimla railway line is an engineering marvel that is recognized as a world heritage site by UNESCO. Also known as the Queen of Hills, Shimla is a winter spectacle from December until February.

    Great Rann of Kutch, Gujarat:

    One of the biggest salt deserts in the world, the great Rann of Kutch in the Gujarat state of India is famed for its natural splendor. The best time to visit this Marvel is during Winters where the inhabitants organise the great ‘Rann mahotsav’. Every winter lakhs of visitors descend on the world’s biggest salt desert – Rann of Kutch stretching 7,505 square miles in the Thar Desert.

    “Have you seen this Underrated places to visit in India?“

    Gulmarg and Sonamarg, Jammu & Kashmir:

    Nestled in the pit panjal range this abode is said to be one of Nature’s creations which even God would love to visit. Popular for both family and Honeymoon trips there are a lot of winter sports activities which are organized in this part of the valley for the tourists who throng in. Trip to Gulmarg is magical year-round, but when winter arrives, it takes on new hues with the entire town blanketed in white.

    Goa:

    The beaches of Goa are somewhere you can be at any time of the year but the sweltering climate otherwise makes it a little uncomfortable during peak summers. The cool breeze and the coastal effect make it a much popular Destination during Winters. People who don’t enjoy the chills too much the pleasant climate of Goa during Winters’s would be a perfect choice with His hosting one of its biggest festivals the Sunburn festival!

    Kerala:

    Popularly known for monsoons, Winters are one time where you can catch the Scenic marvel Kerala is minus getting drenched. The climate is not very wintery but not humid or drenching either. With a pleasant one at other places. The popular ones like Munnar, Wayanad, etc are quite cold and a calming experience. If you find yourself down south during winters (December-February), then make a beeline for ‘God’s Own Country’.

    Rajasthan:

    It doesn’t call for a ‘stay inside blanket’s’ kinda climate but hop out and relish in the Colors and heritage kind of one. The colorful Rajasthan flaunts its best of colors during this season. Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Jaipur, or Bikaner. Go anywhere, you come back with a colorful chest of memories. Right from the cuisines to the folklore and Handloom everything in this part of the country is noteworthy! Winter is the ideal time to visit the Land of Maharajas and experience its regal culture and tradition.

    Shillong, Meghalaya:

    Extremely cold Shillong is one of the most popular honeymoon Destinations, You can Better be blanketed. One place which witnesses an array of climatic changes and kaleidoscope of nature. Winters around here are quite cold but there isn’t much of a snowfall. This capital city of Meghalaya is a picturesque hill station that is in full bloom during winter.

    Kohima, Nagaland:

    Most popular for it’s trekking Experiences and the tribal activities Kohima is one of the popular destinations in India. Dzukou valley and Japfu Peak offer one of the most breathtaking landscapes of the region. Nagaland is called the ‘Switzerland of the East’ and Dzukou valley and Japfu Peak provide solid proof to that. Kohima’s winter highlight is the Hornbill festival held in December.

    Warm up the Kulhads and get the wools ready with not much tourism happening abroad. The winter destinations in India are going to be much in demand this winter!