Panaji
The capital, is an ideal start - off for a holiday in Goa. The old, colonial atmosphere still pervades its buildings -- with balconies hanging over streets, the red tiled roofs, and the wide streets, statues and white bungalows completing the lovely picture. The people are friendly and the town inviting. Tall statues stand at squares and parks and small cosy taverns dish out delicacies like bebinca, sama and chouriceo, and their local brew, called feni, made of coconut or cashew. And the music flows on. Old Goa or Velha Goa was where the Portuguese first planted their feet to leave their stamp on numerous buildings and monuments. The Bom Jesus Church (1594) contains the mortal remains of St Francis Xavier who died in 1552. The Se Cathedral is built in the Portuguese Gothic style of architecture with a Tuscan exterior and a Corinthian interior.
ACCESS
Goa is connected by air internationally by charters and with Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Cochin and Thiruvananthapuram.
The convenient railhead for Panaji is Margao (35 km). From here one can take a bus or taxi to Panaji. Goa is also well connected by road with all major towns in India.
There is a regular service by sea, as well, from Mumbai.
PLACES OF INTEREST
Miramar or Gaspar Dias is the city beach of Panaji. Other lovely beaches include Dona Paula (7 km), Calangute (15 km), Baga (16 km), Anjuna and Vegator (24 km), Bogmalo (31 km) and Colva (6 km from Margao).
Old Goa, the former capital of the Portuguese is an interesting place to visit. Its spots of interest are the Basilica of Bom Jesus built in the 16th century and which contains the embalmed body of St Xavier, the Se Cathedral, the Church of St Francis of Assisi, St Cajetan's Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, the Convent of St Monica, Viceroy's Arch, and St Augustine's Tower. Numerous Hindu temples include that of Sri Mangesh of Lord Shiva, Sri Kalikadevi, and many others. Goa also possesses a museum and art galleries for the tourist so inclined.
SHOPPING
Goa is famous for pottery, brass vessels, artifacts of sea shells and coir etc. Some well known shopping centers of the city are Goa Handicrafts Rural and Small Scale Industries Development Corporation; emporia at tourist hostels, Panaji, Vasco and Mapusa and at the Interstate Bus Terminus, Panaji; Kashmir Government Arts Emporium, Hotel Fidalgo, Swami Vivekananda Road, Panaji; Khadi Bhandars at Panaji and Margao.
CONFERENCE FACILITIES
Goa, the land of beautiful beaches and beach resorts, offers excellent venues for holding large meetings and conferences. While the Goa Rennaissance Resort has a conference capacity of 600 the Majorda Beach Resort can accommodate 630, Cidade De Goa 450, Fort Aguada Beach Resort 175, Leela Beach 350, Oberoi Bogmalo Beach 130 and Taj Holiday Village 17 people.
ACCOMMODATION
The Fort Aguada Beach Resort (5-star Deluxe), Sinquerim Bardez, Goa - 403519. Phone: 276201-10. Fax: 0832-276044.
The Leela Palace, (5 star Deluxe), Mobor, Cavolossim, Goa 403 731. Phones: 871234. Fax: 871352.
Taj Exotica (5-star), Calwaddo, Benaulim, Salcette, Goa 403716. Phone: 771234. Fax: 771515.
Majorda Beach Resort, Majorda, Salcette, Goa - 403 713. Phones: 0832-754871-80. Fax: 0832-581124, 881121.
Cidade De Goa (5-star), Vainguinim Beach, Dona Paula, Goa 403004. Phones: 221133. Fax: 0832-223303.
Goa Renaissance Resort Colva Beach, Varca Village, Salcette, Margao, Goa. Phones: 91 832-745200-16. Fax: 91 832 -745225.
Bogmalo Beach Park Plaza Resort (5-star), P.O. Bogmalo, Goa-403 806. Phones: 513291, 513311 Fax: 512510.
Aguada Hermitage, Sinquerim, Bardez, Goa 403515. Phone: 276201-10. Fax: 276044
Holiday Inn, Mobor Beach, Cavelossim, Salcete, Goa. Phones: 0834-246303/04/05; Fax: 246333.
Aguada Holiday Resort, Bamonvaddo, Candolim, Phone: 276071; Fax: 243231.
Taj Holiday Village, Sinquerim, Bardez, Goa-403 519. Phone: 276201-10. Fax: 0832-276045.
Kenilworth Beach Resort, Utorda, P.O. Majorda, Salcete, Goa-403713. Phone: 0832-754180. Fax: 754183.
Marriott Resort, Post Box No. 64, Miramar, Panaji, Goa - 403 001. Phone:437001, 437003. Fax: 437020.
Heritage Village Club, Arossim Beach, Arossim, Cansaulim, Goa- 403712. Phone: 0832-754311-12, 754956-60. Fax: 0832-754324.
Dona Sylvia, (4star) Cavellossim Beach. Ph: 746321-23; Fax: 748320.
sun village, Baga Arpora, Bardez, Goa. 403 518. phone: 279409 -14. Fax: 279415.
Mandovi (3-star) p. o. box No: 164, D.B. Bandodkar Marg, Panaji, Goa-403 001. Phone: 224405. Fax: 225451.
La Paz Gardens (3-star), Swatantra Path, Vasco-Da-Gama, Goa 403802. Phone: 512121-26. Fax: 0834-513302.
Keni’s (3-star), 18th June Road, Panjim, Goa 403001. Phone: 4581/83.
Baia Do Sol, Baga, Calangute, Goa, Phone: 276084. Fax: 0832 - 731415.
Fidalgo (3-star), 18 June Road, Panaji, Goa 403 001. Phone: 226291
Metropole (2-star), Margao, Goa 403601. Phone: 21552.
The Regency Travelodge Resort, P.O. Majorda, Salcete. Phone: 744180-85; Fax: 6115621.
Tourist Hotel, Panaji. Phones: 7103/3396.
Yatri Niwas, Miramar, Panaji. Phone:7754.
Tourist Home, Mapusa. Phones 2694, 2794.
Tourist Hotel, Margao. Phones: 21966, 20470.
Tourist Hotel, Vasco Da Gama. Phone: 3119.
Tourist Resort, Calangute. Phone: 2224.