• Panjim: This would probably be the starting point of your tour. Panjim, the capital city has a distinct laid-back character. The town has some of the most beautiful Portuguese buildings and villas. Worth visiting here is the Fontainas, which is a living museum showcasing the life and culture of Goa. For those spiritually-inclined, the Mangueshi Temple is built in Portuguese style and dedicated to an incarnation of Lord Shiva.

• Beaches: What strikes first when you visit Goa, is miles of unending beaches, but it surely offers much more. North Goa’s prominent beach is the Anjuna Beach, which is known for its full-moon night parties. Visit some of the other well-known but quieter beaches of Baga, Calangute, Colva, Chapora and Calangute, which offer picture-perfect sandy coves and coconut palms. South Goa, on the other hand has more relaxing beaches, of which Bogamalo is better known, which also offers a range of prominent cafés. The sleepy beaches of Colva and Benaulim, the tranquility, the idyllic fishing village of Betul, make this a truly exciting experience.

• Churches: Among the structures of Old Goa, the most prominent is the Basilica of Bom Jesus, which houses the sacred relics of St. Francis Xavier. Contained in a silver casket, the body is lowered for public viewing once every 10 years. Visit another historical site, the Convent & Church of St Francis of Assisi, which has intricate gilded and carved woodwork and a floor substantially made of carved gravestones. One of the largest cathedrals in Asia, the Gothic Se Cathedral is a fine blend of Portuguese and Gothic architecture. Once characterized by two bell towers, today there exists only one tower with five bells, including the ‘Golden Bell’ whose resonance can be heard thrice daily. Other churches worth visiting are Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception and Church of Our Lady of Mount.

• Market: While shopping is imperative here, one of the most prominent of North Goan sites is the Anjuna Flea Market that happens every Wednesday. It is much frequented by tourists, hippies and artists alike.

When visiting Goa, don’t miss out on the specialties of the region. While rice and fish are prominently the staple diet of the region, Goa is most famous for its seafood. Discover several eateries here that offer all varieties of seafood, not to mention a large range of vegetarian food too. Of course, don’t forget to try the local feni, a popular alcoholic beverage brewed out of cashew and coconut.

Goa is a total shoppers delight! While the Anjuna Flea Market is the best place for local purchase, don’t miss out on the other markets of the region. Worth visiting are the night markets of Baga and Arpora that offer clothes, pottery, trinkets, bamboo craft, coconut mask carvings and sea shell crafts.