Vacapedia Vacation Rentals Blog

Goa is the smallest state in the Indian union which until recently was a Portuguese colony. People from all over the world converge on the many beaches of Goa to enjoy its annual season which typically runs from October to March. The people of Goa are happy go lucky lot who seem to enjoy life to the fullest by indulging in great food, music and copious amounts of Feni or the locally produced liquor which is derived from cashews.

Access your own private beach from your vacation rental at the Royal Goan Beach Club in Benaulim

Goa is renowned for its laid back vibe and the ‘Sosegad’(slow) lifestyle of its people and it is for this reason that people choose to get away from it all and escape to Goa to find their own nirvana on the many palm fringed pristine white sandy beaches that dot this sunshine’s state’s long coast line. Goa’s many beaches are located in both North and South Goa. While the beaches of North Goa which start from the north bank of the Mandovi River are more developed and commercial, as it is the epicenter of the hustle and bustle of the party scene for which Goa is renowned, the beaches of South Goa are slightly more isolated and thus a trifle more quiet and peaceful at least for the moment.

Swim in the cerulean waters of the pool at your two bedroom vacation rental at Club Mahindra, Varca Beach

Vacation rental homes in Goa are located in both North and South Goa and depending on your preference you can choose to either stay close to the hub of activity in North Goa or you could choose to have a vacation rental home in South Goa and then hire an easily available car or bike to commute to the many bars, restaurants and clubs that are located in North Goa. There are many types of vacation rental homes available in Goa and depending on your preference and the size of your group; you can either choose to have an apartment or a villa, both of which are usually available in the many self contained resorts which offer vacation rentals in Goa.

Moreover many of these vacation rentals are beach front properties which have their own private beaches. If however you rather not swim in the sea, your vacation rental is most likely to have its own private pool where you can relax and bask in the glow of the warm Goan sun. An added advantage of these vacation rentals for those of you planning a family vacation in Goa is that many of these vacation rental resorts also have organized recreational and sightseeing tours which are fun way to see the sights and sounds of Goa for all the family.

Anjuna Flea Market

Anjuna Flea Market- Photo credit Arjun Pandey

The famous Anjuna Flea market continues to attract the crowds to the beach town of Anjuna, located in North Goa every Wednesday. This flea market originated in the 1960’s with the flower children and the hippies of Goa who used the flea market to sell their personal belongings in order to raise funds to support their lifestyle. Now this flea market features vendors from all over India who come to sell their many handcrafted wares here like brass and ceramic tchotchkes, mirror work and hand printed fabrics and soft furnishings, typical hand crafted leather shoes and slippers from Rajasthan, woolens and shawls from Northern India, silver tribal jewelry, works of local artists etc.

Dudhsagar Waterfall

The term Dudhsagar when translated literally means ‘Sea of Milk’ and refers to the sight of the gushing waters that cascade down a cliff located high in the Western Ghats(hills). These falls which are at their fullest during the traditional Goan monsoon season which lasts from June to August are the second highest falls in India and they are located in North Goa near Goa’s border with the state of Karnataka.

The Churches of Old Goa

The city of Old Goa is located in North Goa and is a UNESCO declared World Heritage Site. The city of Old Goa served as the Portuguese capital of Goa until Panaji was made the capital of Goa in 1843. The landscape of Old Goa continues to be dotted with magnificent churches and cathedrals as well as the ruins of a gateway which dates back to the times of the Adil Shah dynasty of Bijapur. However the most famous monument located here is the Basilica of Bom Jesus.

This church which is a fine exponent of Portuguese architecture contains the mortal remains of the Jesuit missionary St Francis Xavier who was responsible for the spread of Christianity through out the Far East and who died en route to China in 1552. On December 3rd, each year the feast of St Francis is celebrated here and the fingernail of the Saint is displayed publicly. The exposition of the body which lies embalmed in a silver casket takes place once in ten years and attracts people from around the globe. The last such display took place in 2004. Other sights worth visiting in Old Goa are the gothic Se Cathedral which houses the largest church bell in Asia and Church of St Francis of Assisi which is adorned with much woodwork and multi- hued murals.

Goan Cuisine

Goan cuisine is unique and features many unusual flavors and much fresh seafood. On your vacation rental holiday in Goa you must make it a point to sample authentic and delicious Goan dishes like pork sorpotel, egg vindaloo, prawn balchao and bibinca at one of the many Goan restaurants like the famous Souza Lobos located at Calangute beach in North Goa. A vacation rental holiday gives you the flexibility and convenience to experience the many delights of this beautiful Southern Indian state.