Goa, dream vacations in India

Continuing with my travel wishlist lets fly from Istambul to Goa, a small province on the Eastern coast of India. Goa was the first place visited by the Portuguese explorers in India and it was from there that they started the sea trading routes to Europe. In fact, although Goa's state capital is a city called Panaji, the largest city in the province has the name of the famous Portuguese explorer, Vasco da Gama.


The Portuguese influence is most visible in the architecture, specially in the many Churches, Monasteries and Cathedrals. These structures that are present throughout the cities of Goa state and have inclusively helped the province to gain an UNESCO world heritage architecture award. Above the beautiful Santa Catarina Cathedral in the city of Velha Goa (Old Goa in English).


Also beautiful and part of Goa's world heritage architecture are the numerous Hindu Temples one can find in the region. A fine example of this temples, just a few miles from the capital Panaji in a village called Kavalem, is the amazing Shantadurga Temple (devoted to the Goddess with the same name).


As always in vacations beautiful beaches are not an optional and Goa is no exception in this mater. The climate is very warm all year so I'm hoping I can find some cheap holidays to Goa. From North to South of Goa's state there are several beach spots perfect for a refreshing dive and catching some sun rays. Without any doubt I would love to try the waters of Praia da Colva :)

One final thanks to Wikimedia for the beautiful photos they share.