1st time in Goa - Help reqd with trip planning

I am from Kolkata, India and will be traveling to Goa for the first time with my husband and baby daughter in October 07. We will be in Goa for three nights and will be staying at Goan Heritage (probably on Condolim-Calangute Beach). We will fly to Goa from Mumbai and arrive at Goa airport by 2 PM on 22/10. We will fly back from Goa on 25th at 2:20 PM. Can the experts help me plan my travel itinerary during my period of stay in Goa? We are more interested in nature, beaches and Old Goa churches 鈥?not so much in night clubs and pubs.

1st time in Goa - Help reqd with trip planning

Well, I am not really a beach person so I cannot tell you about the beaches in Goa but it sure is lovely to visit Velha Goa or OId Goa as it is known as for the churches and old monuments there. Also visit Tambdi Surla for an old 10th century stone temple that is atop a hill. It is a bit way out but really worth it if you are interested in old temple architecture. There are nature trails that you can go on as well as the bird sanctuary and the Doodhsagar Waterfalls. There are some places where they have the spice farms where you can also ride some elephants and bathe them too. If you have some more time then I would suggest going to Hampi which is nearby for another different experience altogether. Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Aadil.

1st time in Goa - Help reqd with trip planning

I agree... Old Goa%26#39;s churches are a good option, a taxi driver will take you and wait and the churches are opposite each other so all in the one spot.

Dudsaghar waterfalls are an incredible sight. You can travel independently by taxi or take one of the organised minibus trips (such as John%26#39;s boat trips). You%26#39;re taken to the ';base camp'; where you%26#39;re transferred to a jeep which will drive you the rest of the way. From there it%26#39;s a fairly easy walk to the falls, where you can take a dip in the crystal clear pool at the bottom of the falls (an amazing experience which cools and refreshes you for the rest of the day), then feed the monkeys (though be warned that the monkeys tend to be more cautious of Indian visitors than Western ones, presumably because they are pests to locals and are driven away from the houses..... oddly, they trusted my partner, who is of mixed African/British background, so the monkeys don%26#39;t make the racial distinction by skin colour alone). the Falls trip is best taken as early in the day as you can get there, as it%26#39;s busier in the afternoons... so less tranquil... and also the monkeys are hungrier in the morning. If you take this trip early in the day by taxi, you can take in a visit to a spice plantaion on your way back. These are interesting and peaceful places, and most seem to have a resident elephant to ride or bathe. The one we went to includes a lunch on arrival and was very good value.

There are some very nice temples I believe, though I have only visited a small rural one and Candolim%26#39;s own temple with local friends, which is more modern once when it was quiet, last year to a festival.... local people/taxi drivers will advise you on the more historic/attractive which would be worth visiting.

Candolim is a great base, especially for those not into the nightclub scene, as it doesn%26#39;t have that type of nightlife (Calangute is the place for this).... Candolim just provides a wealth of good restaurants and quiet bars (plus a fabulous beach).

I hope you have a great trip.