VASCO DA GAMA :Vasco da Gama is the terminus of the railway line into Goa. But since Margao is now the main rail hub, there is less activity at Vasco da Gama. If you fly into Goa, you may have to stay overnight in Vasco unless you take a taxi to go further on.

BOGMALO: Bogmalo is 8 km from Vasco and 4 km from the airport. It is a small, sandy cove with a five-star hotel, Park Plaza Resort.The beach is pleasant but the cafés are rather expensive. Water-sports facilities are available.Frequent buses run between Bogmalo and Vasco da Gama, from where you can take buses to Margao and Panaji.

COLVA and BENAULIM (STD code: 0834):The many airconditioned complexes and tourist cottages in Colva have transformed it from a tiny fishing village into a bustling tourist centre.

Useful Information:The Bank of Baroda has a small branch next to the church. There are one or two travel agencies that will exchange travellers’ cheques. Thomas Cook has a mobile exchange van that parks outside Goa Tourism’s Colva Cottages. This is especially useful to the many non-Indian tourists who visit the area.

Accommodation:It is possible to rent houses for long-term stays in Colva and Benaulim. The following are available for short-term accommodation:

VARCA AND CAVELOSSIM:This is the more fashionable beach and is also isolated.

The Resorte de Goa has a swimming pool and the rates are Rs 2,150 (US$ 50.00) upwards.

Goa Renaissance Resort is a five-star resort with rates from Rs 8,820 (US$ 195) upwards.

Gaffinos Beach Resort has rooms for Rs 350/400.

Leela Beach Resort is a well-designed five-star establishment with rooms for Rs 9,450 – 14,700 (US$ 215 – 335).

MABOR TO PALOLEM:There are a few good beaches along this coast. You can reach the fishing village of Betul either by boat or bus from Margao (Rs 4, 45 minutes).

The Oceanic Tourist Hotel is north of this village. Rooms are available for Rs 175. There is the old Portuguese fort of Cabo de Rama on the way from Betul to Agonda which is a little village.

The Dunhill Bar and Restaurant has rooms for Rs 200.

 PALOLEM(STD code: 0834):There is a beautiful beach and it is worth spending a few days in the area.

Accommodation:Rooms at Cocohuts, Ciarans Camp, La Allegro and Palolem Beach Resort range from Rs 300 to 400.

D’Mello Tourist Home in the village has rooms for Rs 100 to 150.

Reaching Palolem and Local Transport in Palolem

You can go to Chaudi by bus from Margao and take an autorickshaw for Rs 35 to Palolem. It is possible to hire motorcycles at Palolem village.

PONDA:This town has an old mosque which is worth seeing and many Hindu temples rebuilt from the original ones destroyed by the Portuguese. You can reach Ponda by bus from Panaji and Margao but you may need your own vehicle to reach the temples. The Bondla, Molem and Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuaries and the Dudhsagar Falls are also in this area.

Cultural Heritage of Goa:Goa has a number of festivals and celebrations centred around temples and churches. Some of them are:

Hanpet-Sword Dance: Performed during the colourful Shigmo festival.

Suvari: A traditional base for all Hindu celebrations.

Goff: A folk dance with sticks, it celebrates the joys of a good harvest.

Fugdi and Dhalo: The most common folk dance forms of Goa.

Corredinho Portuguese Folk Dance: A peasant dance.

Lamp Dance: Performed with lamps during the Shigmo festival.

Perani Jagar: An early form of drama.

Government emporia:Goa Handicrafts Industries Development Corporation Emporia (at Tourist Hostel, Panaji, Vasco, Margao and Mapusa and at the Interstate Bus Terminus, Panaji).Kairali Arts and Crafts of Kerala, Hotel Fidalgo, Swami Vivekananda Road, Panaji.

Shopping centres:Handicrafts and Silk Emporium, Shopping Arcade, Hotel Silver Sands, Colva Beach.

Karmaly’s Department Stores, 8 Cedmar Apartments, Near Hotel Fidalgo, SV Road, Panaji.