Welcome to Goa, the smallest state by area and the fourth smallest by population of India. If one is asked to describe the essence of Goa in one word, then it would have to be the Portuguese word sossegado, meaning laid back in English. Goa was Portugal’s first toe – hold in Asia, and served as the linchpin for a vast trade network for over 450 years. Wherever you travel in Goa on your holiday package to Goa, vestiges of former Portuguese domination are ubiquitous, creating an ambience that is at once exotic and strangely familiar. Goa is little bit of Rio de Janeiro meets Ibiza. But then Goa is a lot of things. This little seaside state, with an identity that’s a seamless blend of Portuguese – Latin influences and Indian tradition was crackling enough to have been one of the Millennium destinations of the world.

The waters in Goa are safe and temperate, the absence of riptide currents making them ideal for learners and novice divers. And when you are not wiggling in and out of your wetsuit, you could be sunbathing or bungee jumping, visiting temples or haunting the flea market. Like we said, Goa is a lot of things. Which beach you opt for when you arrive in Goa depends upon what sort of holiday you have in mind. More developed resorts such as Calangute and Baga in the North, and Colva and Benaulim in the south, offer more walk-in accommodation and tourist facilities than elsewhere. Even if you are looking for a less crowded scene, it can be worth heading for these centres first, as finding places to stay in less commercialized corners is often difficult. Anjuna, Vagator and Chapora, where accommodation is generally more basic and harder to come by, are the beaches to aim for if you have come to Goa on your holiday package to party. The Majority of Domestic travelers prefer to stay in Panjim rather than the coastal resorts, which explains the huge number of hotels and lodges crammed into the town center, especially its noisy, more modern west end. Some 10 Kms from the state capital, Panjim, the ruins of the former Portuguese capital at Old Goa are foremost among the attractions away from the coast – a sprawl of Catholic cathedrals, convents and churches that draw crowds of Christian pilgrims from all over India. Another popular day excursion one can make on his/her holiday package to Goa is to Anjuna’s Wednesday flea market, a sociable place to shop for souvenirs and dance wear.

The best time to opt for your holiday package to Goa is during the dry, relatively cool winter months between mid- November and mid- March. At other times, either the sun is too hot for comfort or the monsoon rains and clouds make life miserable. During peak season from December to the end of January, the weather is perfect but particularly in the Christmas and New Year finding a hotel room can be a real hassle.

The three hundred years of Portuguese rule has left an indelible imprint on the collective psyche of Goans. It shows in their music, their architecture, their culture. It’s also why Goans make the most wonderful vindaloo this side of the Indian Oceans.