The state of Goa is hard to find on a map of India. It’s a tiny spot that’s very different from the rest of this huge country.
The state of Goa is hard to find on a map of India. It’s a tiny spot that’s very different from the rest of this huge country. The street names in the old town are reminiscent of figures from its Portuguese history, and the buildings in the area are a constant reminder of Portugal. Many people’s shop signs and names are not Indian. “They passed it down from generation to generation,” says an elderly descendant of the Portuguese colonists who ruled Goa for 461 years.
Maritime Goa has been a center of economic exchange for Mesopotamians, Etruscans, Greeks, Arabs and others. But what sets Goa apart from the rest of the country is the European footprint, due to the flock of missionaries, fervent Catholicism (Goa is the center of the entire Asian Archdiocese). And because of the many churches and cathedrals, it is called “Eastern Rome”. These historical monuments are now inscribed on the UNESCO Heritage List and are complemented by other faiths.
Goa (pronounced Goo, meaning “cow”) is the smallest state in India. It is located in the Konkan region on the southwestern coast of India, bordering Maharashtra (the capital of Mumbai) to the north and Karnataka to the southeast. The state capital is Panaji and Vasco da Gama is the most populous city. The economic capital and ancient city of Margao preserves important remnants of the Portuguese colonial period.
Reverted to the territory of the Government of India since 1961, Goa lives today with its exquisite architecture as an Indo-Latin culture, and its inhabitants live in content and style above the rest of India. The modernization of major urban environments is reflected in high-end dining, entertainment and leisure venues. A description of the various establishments, for every occasion and every time of day, evening and night: bars playing the iconic music Fado, ethnic restaurants, taverns, taverns, would take several pages to describe, not just one Take a short break to visit them.
tourist lifestyle
Breakfast surrounded by birds, butterflies or snakes is fun in the Biodiversity Reserve, as is a guided tour of the Chef’s Market and Mapusa Market, where you can feast on spices and other products Delicious local food. It is recommended to have dinner by the sea at Souza Lobo, the oldest Portuguese restaurant on Calangute Beach, for a relaxing time.
Italian food also available: Lunch at “Squid Restaurant” in Dando Beach-Condolim, directed by the adult Italian daughter of Italian-Indian immigrants who returned to Goa and started the event with her husband, the beach’s former restaurant Manager of the Taj Mahal in Mumbai. Also “Basilico Restaurant”, “Viva la Fenice” and “Ciao Bella”. An ice cream parlor and a lady who produces gorgeous shawls – Akal – form the small Italian community that occasionally meets at a local Italian club.
Celebrities and tourists enjoy life in the village of Cantarè, as well as the Greek village of Thalassa, The Feni and Fado Casa Xetio in Panjim, the Portuguese restaurant at the Cidade de Goa Hotel, and the elegant Casa Portuguesa – a 300-year-old colonial house – Enjoy Law Duo Le is just one of many high-end places. Also don’t miss tasting the famous local wine “Feni”, which is extracted from cashew nuts grown in Brazil.
hotel industry
International 5-star luxury luxury hospitality includes colonial and modern villas in urban and coastal locations, fully furnished with chefs, waiters, butlers, and limousine service. They are patronized by Bollywood stars, wealthy entrepreneurs and writers. For the less needy, boutique hotels, homestays or hotel chains run by the GOA tourism development company offer splendid colonial-style facilities at manageable prices along the city and maritime centers and with 120 kilometers of public and private beaches Common white sandy beaches, clean waters, constant presence of law enforcement (24 hours a day) and safety lifeguards.
Goa is the only state in India where gambling is legal. Casinos are offshore on specially organized ships, attracting gambling enthusiasts from neighboring countries, locals and tourists. This incredible little Indian state ranks 50th among Asian destinations.
Until a few years ago, it was the kingdom of hippies pouring in from all directions. Goa today attracts mostly European tourists, who account for 15% of Indian tourist arrivals. Tourists can count on popular beaches, diving areas, nature reserves with turtles, and access to cathedrals, temples, churches, spice plantations, mini cruises, yoga centers and all the spa chains. In addition, there are countless leisure activities, from water sports to hiking, gyms, museums, day and night street markets, and the opportunity to attend many folk festivals or religious events.
Of these, the most recent was the celebration of the 463rd anniversary of the death of Saint Francis Xavier, which was celebrated in December 2015, which coincides with the Holy Year of Mercy. The saint is revered as “Goencho Saib”. His body is kept in the Cathedral of Jesus of Mercy, where it is displayed to the faithful every ten years.
The friendliness of the people of Goa is shown in warm smiles and greetings “Deu Bore Coru” – God be with you.
