Kerala Backwaters

Location : Kerala, South India
Best time to Visit : Throughout the Year
Made of : A network of lakes, lagoons and 44 rivers

About the Backwaters
Kerala is often sobriquet God's Own Country and that's not for nothing as it is home to some of the most exotic locales on the planet replete with breathtaking natural beauty and amazing features. One such tourist magnet is the captivating beauty of the backwaters. Imagine yourself in a houseboat replete with all the luxury facilities that enhance your experience of feasting your eyes on the enchanting surroundings. Gently sway past lush fields and sandy beaches lined with palm trees as you witness a world that is totally unlike what you would have seen before. 


The backwaters are a network of lakes, lagoons, estuaries and over 44 lakes surrounding the coast of Kerala. The backwaters spread to thousands of kilometers with over 900 of that being navigable, serving as important trade routes for traders and navigators since centuries. The backwaters stretch almost to the entire length of the state from Cochin in the north to Kollamin the south. Kettuvallom, a traditional type of houseboat is a popular means of navigating the waters while modern constructions meant for tourists are replete with the most modern amenities such as rooms with attached bath, a living room, platform etc. An interesting thing about the boats is that these are constructed without using even a single nail. 

Do Not Miss
The backwaters are believed to have been formed in 1866 AD when floods from the neighbouring sea engulfed the area. The backwaters since then became an important means connecting the scattered areas and are still the only means of local transport. Several cities in Kerala offer exciting backwater cruise options. Lake Vembanand is the largest of them measuring around 83 km in length. Ashtamudi Lake and the backwaters of Allapuzha, also known as the 'Venice of the East' are other popular backwater destinations in Kerala. 

Other Attractions in Kerala
Kerala Beaches
The beaches of Kerala can compete with the best in the world, especially when talking of a laid back and relaxed atmosphere. The beach resorts are fine heavens of peace and tranquility that take you into another completely different world of easiness. Witness the breathtaking natural beauty, take a gentle stroll or just stretch your legs and sip on a cool coconut water drink.

Ayurveda Resorts
Ayurveda is the ancient art of wellness, practiced in India since the ancient times. The art has lived on through the times and exercised with absolute dedication at Kerala, perhaps more so than anywhere else on the planet. Numerous ayurveda resorts all over the state offer special ayurveda holiday packages for the tourists. Experience the rejuvenating and revitalising effects of Ayurveda at Kerala. 

Stay At
From heritage hotels to tree houses, you can experience it all at Kerala. Some of the best accommodation options at Kerala include Golden Water Retreat (Heritage hotel at Kumarakom), Hotel Taj Malabar (Deluxe hotel at Kochi), Coconut Lagoon (Ayurveda resort at Kumarakom), B-Six Holiday Resort (Tree houses at Munnar) and The South Park Hotel at Thiruvananthapuram. 

Getting There
By Air : Kerala is well connected to other cities in India and the world through its three airports at Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode and Cochin, with the one at Thiruvananthapuram also being an international airport receives flights from overseas as Colombo, Maldives, Dubai, Sharjah, Bahrain, Singapore etc. Domestic flights are available to and from major Indian cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai etc. 

By Rail : Railway stations are located at nearly all the big and small cities of Kerala connecting it to other major cities in and outside the state. Trains are also available to and from destinations as New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata. 

By Road : An extensive network of well built roads criss cross the entire state connecting it with the rest of the country. Major national highways passing through the state are NH 47, 17 and 49. 

Goa Beaches

The expansive sandy coastline of Goa, stretching over 125 km, happens to be one of the finest in the country. The wide publicity of Goan beaches in the media and the movies have added a mystique to the state, inviting hundreds of thousands of beach lovers from around the globe. The tropical climate, pristine environs, coconut groves and ethnic Goan delicacies along with the much renowned feni (which flows here freely!) have been a source of real delight for tourists. Significant commercialization of some of the beaches has also resulted in a number of exotic beachside hotels and resorts. In Goa, where there are hip-hop beaches, you can also find some of the most secluded ones. 

The beaches of Goa can be segregated into two categories: beaches of North Goa and beaches of South Goa. The North Goa section stretches from Fort Aguada and Sinquerim Beach to Chapora Beach and fort whereas the second stretch begins south of Vasco da Gama and goes up to southern tip of Goa, the Palolem Beach being the culminating point. Delicious seafood, ethnic Goan delicacies, rave parties, flea markets and water sports among others are the highlights of Goan beaches. 

• Anjuna Beach
• Baga Beach
• Bogmalo Beach
• Benaulim Beach
• Calangute Beach
• Colva Beach
• Dona Paula Beach
• Majorda Beach
• Vagator Beach

Anjuna Beach

Location : North Goa
Beach Activities : Rave Parties, Water Sports
Best time to Visit : September to March


About Anjuna Beach
Anjuna is a beautiful little village situated just 18 km from Goa's capital Panaji in the northern part of the state on the banks of the Arabian Sea. Famous for its picturesque beach, Anjuna has always been regarded as the rave capital of Goa for its happening rave parties which have been one of its major charms since the 1960's. A favourite for both locals and tourists, the surreal environs make it one of those places where anything goes. The extremely beautiful natural setting composed of shoal red laterite cliffs, rows and rows of swaying coconut and palm groves, golden sands and turquoise blue waters that gently roll up and down the shores make it an apt setting for festivities and beach parties. The beach is also lined up with small shops and stalls that sell everything from decorative sea shells to eatables. 

Beach Attractions
Anjuna beach is divided into the north and south parts with most of the hotels and resorts located in and around the northern part. The beach comes alive every wednesday when the flea market is set up where you can buy stuff from all across the region. Some of the must buys at the market are hummus and Yak cheese. The St. Anthony's church located nearby is also worth a visit. 

Water sports are catching up fast on the popularity ratings at the Anjuna beach, which take place mostly in the south beach area. Snorkeling and scuba diving in the sea allows you to spot rare species of marine life. The endless rave parties is what the place is really known for. There is a party happening every night which keeps the life and people rocking. 

Stay At
The beach at Anjuna is always thronged by visitors and tourists, making it one of the most popular and visited places in Goa. Owing to the demands of tourists a number of hotels and resorts have sprung up in and around the area which provide quality accommodation facilities for the tourists. The best at Anjuna include The Tamarind (situated two and a half kilometers from the beach, the hotel offers comfortable accommodation. The price of a room ranges between Rs. 600 and Rs. 2500 while other facilities include a swimming pool and a mini golf course), White Negro (situated close to the St. Anthony's church, the accommodation at the hotel costs between Rs. 300 to 1000) and Hotel Bougainvilla (housed in an old style mansion, the hotel offers spacious rooms priced between Rs. 400 to Rs. 3800)

Getting There
By Air : Anjuna village is located in the north bardez taluka, north of the Vagator beach. The nearest airport is located at Dabolim, just 47 km from Anjuna. From Dabolim, one can hire a taxi which generally costs around Rs. 700.

By Rail : The nearest railhead is Thivim (19 km) which is again connected with Anjuna through easily available taxis. Panjim railway station is another major railhead located nearby. 

By Road : There are several ways to access Anjuna by road. While motorcycle taxis are available between Anjuna and Vagator, buses operate regularly between Panjim and Mapusa, from where autos take you further to Anjuna.

Baga Beach

Location : North Goa

Beach Activities : Water Sports, Flea Market
Best time to Visit : September to April


About Baga Beach
The quaint fishing village at Baga is known for its picturesque beach, which is often seen as an extension of the Calangute beach. Adorned with a number of quality 

restaurants, hotels and shops, the swaying palms and the shimmering blues of the Baga river add to the charm of the place. The lack of frantic tourist activity along with quite beach activities like fishing and water sports have helped make Baga a favored spot for people looking for repose and relaxation, unlike some of the other happening beaches that Goa is also famed for. The unique weekly market at Baga is held every saturday evening which looks even prettier under the star lit sky. 

Location
Baga village is situated on the shores of the Arabian Sea in the northern part of Goa. The charming beach at Baga is located just 15 km from Panjim, the capital of Goa. 

Attractions at Baga
Baga offers a number of quality restaurants and hotels as well as other snack shacks and open air terrace cafes which serve everything from local delicacies to hot and cold drinks. An old style mansion, the Baga retreat is situated just a short walk up the hill. The nearby Arpora village is the venue for the saturday evening flea market where you can buy items such as clothes, sea shell jewellery, wood carvings and so on...

Some of the popular water sports activities at Baga include water skiing, para sailing and surfing while dolphin spotting is also fast catching up on the popularity charts. The most favoured night hangout spots include Tito's and Cafe Mambo, the popularity of which can be gauged from the long queues outside these places every evening. 

Stay At
Baga being one of the most famous tourist spots in Goa boasts of a number of quality hotels and resorts. Some of the best in terms of accommodation and food are Nani's and Rani's (situated north of the river, the rooms here are spacious and cost between Rs. 250 and 350), Baia do Sol (set in charming cottages overlooking the beach, the cost of rooms is between Rs. 1200 and 5000) and Cavala (The cost of rooms is between Rs 400 and 3950 while facilities include swimming pool, rooms with attached bath and balcony). 

Getting There
By Air : Dabolim is the nearest airport, situated just 29 km from the state capital Panjim. Baga is located just a half hour drive from Panjim. 

By Rail : The nearest railhead is Karmali, situated just 11 km from Panjim.

By Road : State transport buses operate regularly between Panjim-Baga (thirty minutes) and Mapusa-Baga (ten minutes). While boarding a bus from Panjim, be sure that it is the one that takes you all the way to Baga as some of these terminate at Calangute.