Goa

On arrival at Goa Airport you will be transferred to the hotel. Goa is a paradise of virgin beaches, fun loving people, mouth- watering delicious cuisine, pretty whitewashed chapels and churches that dot the landscape, and sleepy little villages among the rice fields. In 1510, the Portuguese conquered Goa, and they have left behind traces of culture and customs that mingle with the Goan coastal people’s simple lifestyles, to create the quintessential Goan way of life. Goa is known for its Gothic churches, crumbling forts, palm-fringed beaches, coconut groves, ferry rides, bubbly folk music… and the famous afternoon siesta! The largest of the churches in Goa, the Se Cathedral is in Old Goa and is flocked by thousands of tourists every year. The holy shrine of Basilica of Bom Jesus, also in Old Goa, houses the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier. It is a famous pilgrimage center among the Roman Catholic world. Evening at leisure.  Overnight in Goa.

This day after breakfast , proceed for a half-day historical tour of North Goa. Visit the Church of Basilica of Bom Jesus. This contains the tomb and mortal remains of St Francis Xavier who was on a mission to spread Christianity in the Portuguese colonies of the East. Visit the Church of St. Cajetan, built by Italian friars who were sent to the kingdom of Golconda to preach Christianity. The Church of St. Francis of Assisi has carved woodwork and old murals depicting the life of St Francis. The Se Cathedral is the largest of the churches in Old Goa, built in the Portuguese-Gothic style with a Tuscan exterior and Corinthian interior. Also visit St. Monica, Goa’s only convent for nuns. Located here is the Museum of Christian Art, showcasing the richness of Indo-Portuguese Christian Art from Goa. Later, enjoy a leisurely walk through Fontainhas, Goa’s Latin Quarter, home to the last surviving Portuguese families of Goa. There are a number of designer boutiques where you can shop for Portuguese crockery, glassware, art and clothing.

Evening at leisure to explore the much talked bout Goan beach. Overnight in Goa.

After breakfast, enjoy a full day tour of South Goa and its temples. Start with the Shri Mahalsa Narayani Temple, dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi. Visit the Mangueshi Temple, one of the most visited temples in Goa. The 400-year-old Shri Mangesh temple dedicated to Shiva stands out with its simple and yet exquisitely elegant structure. The deity here is the kuladevata or family deity for many Hindu families. Later, visit a spice plantation for a tour of organically grown spices. The spices grown include cinnamon, cardamom, pepper, nutmeg and ginger. The spices grown are cleaned and then ground into powder. Overnight in Goa.

After breakfast transferred to Goa Airport.