Posted September 26, 2018 by travelaroundthegalaxy1 Comment india

Goa Province

Goa Province is a little bit different than the rest of India. It is a small coastal region, with palm trees and white sand beaches, surrounded by dense jungle. It was ruled by the Portuguese for 450 years, and what they left behind is a unique cultural blend, a harmony found amongst the Portuguese and Indian cultures. There is a lot of history to take in. Much of the colonial buildings found in Old Goa still remain in good condition today, such as impressive Catholic Churches like the Basilica de Bom Jesus.

Goa is definitely unique; it is the smallest province in India and gives it a secluded and remote feel not found elsewhere in India. Bordered by the Arabian Sea to the west and the two larger provinces of Maharashtra and Karnataka to the east. It is known as a party spot for most travelers, with legendary full moon parties and stretches of white sand beaches drawing most visitors. There is much more to the region than just the beaches and parties.

Goa is modern and exciting and surrounded by history. It has an amazing culinary scene, with many spice farms located throughout the jungle. The combination of fresh seafood and spices are a good mix. We ate very well while we were here. The region is covered with amazing colonial architecture, and much of it is concentrated in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Old Goa. The Basilica de Bom Jesus is just one of the spectacular buildings located here. The region is 23% Christian, and there are many great historical Mosques, Churches and Hindu Temples to visit.

And yes, there are beaches. From the capital of the province, Panaji, you can travel north or south to find beautiful beaches, with small villages along the coast. We stayed at three different spots along the coast, and our favourite was the Vagator beach area, especially the massive beachside market that we got to shop around in. It was our first introduction to bargaining in India.

Goa Province is the smallest of the 23 provinces located in India. It makes the best of its small size and offers a lot of amazing experiences. The people are very friendly and the scenery is stunning. It is one of the most popular beachside vacation spots in India for good reason. There is nowhere else in the world like it.