Holiday To Goa

[AlwaysConfused]

Can anyone recommend a good area and/or accomodation to take a two week holiday in Goa for me and OH? I'm veering towards North, perhaps Candolim at the moment.

Having never been before, I'd like to be near a tourist-friendly area, yet not in the midst of a built-for-tourist area. We are going primarily for the food, so would like to avoid all-inclusive as it too tempting to prop up a bar 24/7 and eat crap instead of investigating the surroundings. Self catering would be ideal. We are likely to go on trips most days, and will spend a day or two on the beach. A lively bar would be suffice in the evening. A beach party would not be our scene. We're not usually into shopping at home OR on holiday, but am more used to going to the Greek islands where all shops sell touristy rubbish, so perhaps near a weekly market?

Ideally we'll fly from Gatwick with a flight as direct as possible.

Looking forward to this trip, but see very contradictory opinions online. Would appreciate any suggestions and experiences. Off to work in a few hours to earn pennies towards holidays, if I don't answer today, I will tomorrow. TIA

[maclarencat]

I would steer clear of Candolim if you do not want the beach party area. We have been going to Goa for about 25years off and on and when we first went Goa was very Indian and peaceful however over the years the British tourists have flocked to the Candolim Calangute Baga beach area and the beach is now one long string of beach bars and tourist shops. We now prefer South Goa as the tourism hasn't quite reached the amounts of North Goa. If you haven,t booked yet I would recommend South India (Kerala) It is still quite lovely down there. It is very cheap in India and the people are very friendly. The begging is a problem but you have to tell yourself you cannot save the world and you are contributing to helping simply by spending your money there. Have a great time as I say we love it but I do think it is a love or hate place. I don't think you will come home going "well it was OK" It will be great or awful. :)

[mikey4444]

I would avoid June, July, or August, as these are the Monsoon months.
Going to Goa then would be like going to Wales, but with palm trees.

[EdmundD]

I agree with maclarencat. We have stayed in South Goa twice and liked it because it is less of a tourist trap. Do consider Kerala as well.

[AlwaysConfused]

I originally thought of South, maybe I ought to revert my decision. There is so much that I want to squeeze in within the two weeks, I know that if I have a good time I will go back again to finish off anything that I did not get around to doing.

I decided to avoid South after reading about pig toilets - PLEASE tell me that i am being naive and that they don''t exist these days? Thinking of April, May or November as it happens - Monsoon isn't my type of place, the clothes are outdated....I prefer Dorothy Perkins ;)

[mikey4444]

LOL alwaysconfused !

The food in Goa is supposed to be wonderful....a mixture of traditional Indian and Portuguese.

[Dee Sa]

I have a house in Goa in Ribandar as its residential /no beach we go for 2 weeks of our holiday to Bon Appetit at Sinquerim, Candolim, its at the very end of Candolim on the beach , proprietor Joe Joe goes that extra mile for all guests and is always on the premises, they have small bungalows & appts each has plasma tv, a fridge, split air conditioning & bathroom, tea, coffee and kettle in each room, its simple but spotlessly clean with outside private balcony. The restaurant is next to accommodation and they will bring your breakfast to your room if that's what you want, next to restaurant is a green area with loungers then there are private sun beds for guests overlooking the beach and steps down to the beach,Joe Joe will recommend other places to eat & arrange a taxi, he sent us to a restaurant off the beaten track where 2 of us really pigged out 3 courses[steak etc] and had lots to drink and the bill was £29 we could not fault it. Joe will arrange boat trips etc when asked. We were there in Nov last and its not expensive to stay, Brits go back year after year, I would fully recommend but his website does not do it justice
www.bonappetitingoa.com
hope this helps Dee

[nazia08]

Oh wow! It will be hot hot hot, and party season as well! No need at all for woolly hats and the sea will be just yummy! This is the best time of year for Goa. Goa is very cheap if you don't want to spend any money, cheap beer, cheap food, cheap travel, although this is peak season so might cost a little bit more in some places (get your haggling hat on..