Imagine this – cool breeze, lush palm trees and a complete Mediterranean influence. Daman has every charm of the beach retreat of Goa, minus the hordes of foreign tourists! Located off the NH8 from Mumbai, this picturesque port town offers a revitalizing break from the city life! An important link on the sea route between Diu and Goa, Daman bears testimony to the Portuguese effect. The locals are obviously in awe of the little harbour and a quiet walk in the Tarapur area will bring to your ears the sounds of the ancient folks tunes of the area.

• The Church of Bom Jesus: Dedicated to Bom Jesus, this Church was built in the early 17th century and has a major Portuguese influence. One of the most impressive architectural sights in Daman, its richly carved doorway and the highly decorated interiors are aesthetic and pleasing. It has been recently renovated and since then has acquired a luxuriously carved portal and an ornamental altar. Definitely worth a visit, since the church attracts both tourists and pilgrims in large numbers.

• Fort of Nani Daman: The Fort is enclosed with high stone walls along with three bastions and two getaways. The most attractive and prominent part of the fort is the giant getaway facing the river with a large statue of St. Jerome and two giant human figures, on either side of the gateway. The 1901 Church of Our Lady of the Sea inside the walls is definitely worth a visit. Also located to the north is a Jain temple with 18th century murals depicting the life of the Mahavira.

• Fort of Moti Daman/Lighthouse: This a massive Fort that runs round the settlement like a girdle dates back to 1559 AD. The walls divided by 10 bastions, encircle 30 km of land. The fort is protected by a moat on the land side and also connects the river to the sea. Catch views of Nani Daman across the river from the interior of the Fort.

• Our Lady of Rosary Church: With its outstanding features that are partly gothic and partly Byzantine this church is an architectural marvel. The church has a wide hall of prayers and beautifully carved figures along with ornate woodwork including an intricately carved, gold painted altar. Do visit the Sé Cathedral which is totally Iberian in its façade. Its altar is a masterpiece of ornately carved, gold painted wood.

• Satya Sagar Udyan: This lake garden is famous for its colourful fountains and shrub skirted promenades that offer a fascinating view. The restaurant and snack-bar within it provide a variety of regional dishes that you can indulge in.

• Beaches: Located about 3kms north of Nani Daman are the rocky shores of Devka Beach. There are numerous bars and hotels that dot the quiet beach side road. The beach at Jampore is situated at a distance of 3kms south of Moti Daman and is a beautiful and exclusive palm shaded beach offering a sense of peace and calm. The waters are safe here and the picnic spots and sunshades create a picture postcard appearance.

When dining in Daman, it’s best to rely on the hotels and resorts that offer varied cuisine. There are dozens of resorts as well as cafés that cater to the needs of the. If it’s seafood you crave for, head out to the Sea View Beach Resort that, true to its name, has an excellent restaurants overlooking the seaside. Kalyan in Hotel Miramar is an open air restaurant in a wonderful setting jutting above the beach. Daman is noted for its papri (boiled and salted sweet peas) wrapped in newspaper. October is specially a month to try out crab and lobster as they are found in abundance here. Do not miss out on Tari Palm Wine, a popular drink sold in earthenware pots.

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