Colonized by Portugal in the early sixteenth century, Goa is the only state in India that doesn’t reflect a strong British influence. Instead the area’s colonial architecture, customs, and heritage reflects Portuguese culture and style. Despite its previous strategic important, modern Goa is known mostly as a top Asian vacation spot due to its many beaches and its lively restaurants, bars, and night clubs.
Goan beaches offer a seemingly unlimited supply of sun, sand, and surf. In addition to swimming and sunbathing, visitors can enjoy scuba diving, snorkelling, and parasailing. The restaurants throughout the state offer fresh seafood served with the world famous feni to wash it down.
Visitors can find all sorts of accomodations from five star hotels in Goa to youth hostels, from camping to guest cottages, and, of course, there are numerous beach resorts that put you right on the water. The villages and cities in Goa offer a variety of markets and traditional stores for the tourist who must shop.
Some of the cultural and historic sites in Goa are worth investigating. Bom Jesus Basilica, the Goa State Museum, and the Church of the Immaculate Conception are popular with visitors. For a different experience, visit the Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary or the Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary.
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