GOA 120 kms
border of Goa, on West coast of India, breaks into rivers, mountains and
miles of golden hued beaches fringed with palm trees, endless growth of
verdant mango and jack fruit trees interspersed with paddy fields,
slumbering villages and green wooded hills, forts, ruins and ancient caves.
Old Goa speaks the glory of its past and has some magnificent churches with
intricately carved wooden altars which are gilted with gold.Bright sun, sea
and white sand spell the charms of this most beautiful seaside resort of
India and it is exceptionally gifted with natural beauty. Beaches here evoke
the pleasures of paradise and fascinate and enthrall you. Besides being
famous for its exquisite cuisine where sea-foods of all kinds are prepared
in alarge variety of ways, it also offers a host of attractions for holiday
makers and connoiseurs of art alike. The spell of charm,loveliness and
serenity of Goa, fabled in myth and history, is very deep. It was here the
Portuguese, the English and Dutch battled with unparalleled fury for
commercial supremacy. The half day tour of Old Goa and Panjim starts with a
drive to Dona Paula, an idyllic spot which overlooks Goa's magnificent
harbour of Margaon. From here one proceeds to Panjim, via Miramar Beach.
Panjim, a fishing village along river Mandovi, was made capital of Goa in
1843 by the Portuguese. Panjim still has typical Portuguese villas and
mansions. Panjim is the capital of Goa and it also has the government
buildings. Old Goa was the old capital and it has a collection of Goa's
largest churches including the Basilica of Bom Jesus where the remains of St
Francis Xavier are kept in a silver casket entombed in a marble mausoleum
and Se Cathedral with its Iberian exterior.
TOUR NO. 1 : - ROME OF THE EAST TOUR Begin your tour at panjim, the
capital of Goa, situated on the southern bank of the river Mandovi. like
most Goan towns,centered by a church , the church of the Immaculate
Conception in Panjim, accentuates the proportion of the baroque facade
dominating the square. Built in 1541, its tall twin towers were the first
signs of home for the sailors after their long voyage from Lisbon. Other
features of this tour include a visit to several public buildings,
especially the secretariat and a stroll through the town's shopping mart.
Your visit to Goa cannot be complete without a trip to OLD GOA
with a history that date back to the 10th century when it was known as the
ROME OF THE EAST. Magnificent churches and statly buildings dot the three
square mile area of old Goa.Among the many splendid buildings here is the Se
Cathedral. Built in 1619, it is the largest Christian church in Asia and a
fine example of Renaissance architecture.
At the Basilica of Bom
Jesus lies enshrined in a silver casket, the mortal remains of the
St.Francis Xavier, who in 1541 was given the task of preaching Christianity
in the region.
The tour of the "Rome of the East" is
rounded off after a SUNSET CRUISE on the river Mandovi .
TOUR
NO.2 :- HINDU TEMPLES TOUR A drive through the capital city
of Goa PANAJI to the two temples of distinctive hindu style prevalent in the
early 18th century. Several temples in Goa were destroyed by the portuguese
during their occupation in 16th and 17th Century, some of which were later
rebuilt in the 18th Century.
Visit the SRI MANGUESH TEMPLE
(dedicated to lord shiva), one of the most prominent temples in Goa.
surrounded by beautifully terraced hillsides,its elegant white lamp tower
stands majestically overlooking a serene local village.like other temples in
the territory,this temple with its interiors adorned with chandeliers,shows
signs of portuguese influence.The surrounding courtyard that houses a two
storeyed accommodation for pilgrims,resembles a South European Medieval
Monastry.
Visit SHRI SHANTADURGA TEMPLE ( dedicated to Shanta -
the goddess of peace), situated on the foothills of KAVALLEM. Built in 1738
A D'its ornate, baroque interiors and several storeyed 'deepmals' (
Colourful lamp tower ) never ceases to fascinate the onlooker.
The
tour of the temples is rounded off with with either a " Thali "
lunch or an exotic buffet dinner .
Tour No.3 :
TOUR SPICE PLANTATION Drive from the hotels through the narrow
and winding roads to reach the village of Savoi, where 'PLANTATION SAVOI' is
situated. Plantation Savoi is one of the biggest farms of Goa and is
situated along the banks of river Mandovi.
Enroute
the plantation visit a cashew nut factory where the guests can witness the
processing of cashenuts such as roasting, cutting, sewing and packing which
is done by local hands without disturbing the quality and taste cashewnuts
are sold at special rates if anybody wishes to buy them.
Then
visit the plantation where the guests can aquaint themselves with a variety
of spices and tropical plants. Spices such as clove, pepper, cinnamom and
cardamom are grown in abundance. Herbs which are medicinal in aspect as well
as flavouring agents are also grown here.
A well experienced guide
will accompany the guests throughout the plantation providing valuable
information about the use of different plants and spices.
The
orchards require a special mention here as to the variety of tropical fruits
seen growing here like Papaya, Chickoo, Pineapple, Guava and Citrus fruits
like tangerines, sweet limes and sour limes.
Lunch will be served
on a banana leaf placed inside a bamboo plate. (Optional)
The tour
ends with the village kids performing a small progrmme. ( Can be arranged
for groups only)
RIVER CRUISES Daily
river cruise with live cultural programe by Luxury launch.
1.
SUNSET CRUISES : At 18.00 Hrs , one hour cruise on Mandovi River.
2.
SUNDOWN CRUISES : At 19.15 Hrs., One hour cruise on Mandovi River
3.
FULL MOON CRUISES : From20.30 hrs. for 2 hours. ( Dinner on board is
optional at extra cost )
4. PLEASURE CRUISES : 10.00 HRS. TO 15.00 HRS.
from panaji.welcome soft drink and lunch at Goan Houses along the water
course of Mandovi and Zuari with on-board angling, music, games, sun bathing
etc. Visit to St.Thomas Church of Aldona.
