What you need to know before you book your airfare and tickets
Fancy lazing by the beach, but had enough of the mega all-inclusive resorts on the Med? Take a cheap flight to Goa, one of the most interesting and diverse places in India. The country's smallest state has some of the best beaches in the country with white sand, lined with rustling palm trees and funky beach shacks. Combine this with a treasure of historical buildings and gorgeous food and you've got yourself a perfect holiday. It still has a bit of a bohemian reputation, but Goa is a great destination for everyone and people of every age. If you're looking for a laid back hippy hangout, lay your beach towel on Anjuna Beach. Travelling with kids? Then the beaches in Calangute and Baga are more suited for you. Goa was once ruled by the Portuguese and you can still see this in much of the architecture. A good place to find buildings from this era is Old Goa where you'll find many interesting churches and other colonial buildings. If this is your thing then make sure you visit Panaji as it holds two Unesco World Heritage Sites: the Basilica of Bom Jesus and the Church of Our Lady of Immaculate conception. Looking for goodies to bring home? Head to Mapusa market and immerse yourself in every day Goan life away from the main tourist drag. Wander around the many stalls and taste the fragrant spices, exotic fruits and other local produce. The market is only open on Fridays though. Another interesting market is the one in Anjuna. It's a held by the beach where you can buy colourful cloths and other local artefacts. Don't be surprised to see the odd elephant pass by. The food in the Goan region is one of the country's finest and you'll find it hard to pick where to eat. A good place to enjoy some authentic Goan dishes is Souza Lobo in Calangute and it's set right on the beach. Dishes range from king prawn curry to delicious apple pie. Perfect place for sundowners.
