The Magical Goa Getaway (9 Days and 8 Nights)
Panaji - Old Goa - South Goa - North Goa
1
You will be received at Goa International Airport and driven to Panaji, where you will check in at a hotel. There will not be any excursions during the day to allow you much-needed rest to overcome travel fatigue.
2
After breakfast, drive to Old Goa for exploration. The last native Hindu ruler of Goa was defeated in 1468 AD, and subsequently, Goa was ruled by Muslim rulers till 1510 AD, and by the Portuguese till 1961. In 1961, Goa was annexed into independent India. Old Goa used to be the capital city and center of power until 1843 AD when, forced by a massive outbreak of Plague, the Portuguese made Panaji the capital of Goa. The churches and convents of Old Goa, built during the Portuguese rule, are still going strong and are the center of tourism activity in Goa.
You will leisurely explore the Basilica of Bom Jesus, the Catholic Church of Saint Francis of Assisi (UNESCO World Heritage Site), the Archaeological Museum, the Se Cathedral, the Church of Our Lady of Divine Providence, the Viceroy Arch, and the Church of Saint Augustine in Old Goa. Some of these places are collectively recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. After Old Goa explorations, you will then stroll through the lanes of Fontainhas. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Description:
Built in 1605 AD, the Basilica of Bom Jesus houses the tomb of Saint Francis Xavier. It has impressive Baroque architecture, and the whole structure is not plastered from the outside. There are no pillars inside the main hall, and to compensate for that, the side walls were made extra thick. The altar has a huge statue of Saint Ignatius of Loyola and a small image of child Jesus (Bom Jesus). Saint Ignatius of Loyola and Saint Francis Xavier were the founding members of the Society of Jesus.
The Catholic Church of Saint Francis of Assisi is located opposite the Basilica of Bom Jesus. It was built in 1655 AD in Portuguese-Manueline style. The altar is dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi. Events from the life of the saint are portrayed as fine paintings on the altar.
The Archaeological Museum is located beside the Catholic Church of Saint Francis of Assisi. It was established in 1964 and puts on display portraits, paintings, ancient stone idols, weapons used during the Portuguese rule, and artifacts excavated at various places in Goa.
The Catholic Church of Se Cathedral is dedicated to Saint Cathedral of Alexandria. It is considered to be the largest church in the entire of Asia. The Portuguese Viceroy, Redondo, got the church commissioned. He wanted the church to be grand to showcase it as a symbol of Portuguese might. Its construction was completed in the year 1619 AD. The Se Cathedral has an impressive Corinthian interior and Tuscan exterior.
The Church of Our Lady of Divine Providence is located close to the Archaeological Museum. It is popularly known as the Saint Cajetan Church. It was constructed in 1665 AD by Italian monks (Saint Cajetan and others) who came to spread Christianity in India. The architecture of the church is similar to the Basilica of Saint Peter in Rome. Laterite stone blocks are lime plastered to make the edifice of the church. Towards the left of the church’s entrance lies the Convention of Saint Cathetan, which now serves as a Pastoral institute.
The Viceroy Arch is situated close to the Saint Cajetan Church. It was constructed in 1599 AD by the Portuguese Viceroy of Goa, Francisco De Gamma, to celebrate the centennial of the arrival of Vasco De Gamma in India in 1498 AD.
The Saint Augustine Church was constructed in 1602 AD by the friars of the Augustinian Order. It was then the largest church in India with eight chapels, four altars, and a convent attached to it. The church had three levels and two towers. The Augustinians in Goa were found to be carrying out brutality in the name of conversion. As a result, the Portuguese authorities gave orders to close the church. The church was supposedly abandoned in 1835 AD. Only ruins of the church remain now at the site.
In 1843 AD, mired by Plague, the Portuguese authorities shifted the base from Old Goa to Panaji. Fontainhas then became a residential place for government authorities. Colourful tiled-roof houses of Indo-Portuguese style are still inhabited by the residents of Fontainhas. Some of the cafes that operate here are the oldest in Goa. Exploration on foot is the best way to rendezvous with this charming old locality.
You will leisurely explore the Basilica of Bom Jesus, the Catholic Church of Saint Francis of Assisi (UNESCO World Heritage Site), the Archaeological Museum, the Se Cathedral, the Church of Our Lady of Divine Providence, the Viceroy Arch, and the Church of Saint Augustine in Old Goa. Some of these places are collectively recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. After Old Goa explorations, you will then stroll through the lanes of Fontainhas. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Description:
Built in 1605 AD, the Basilica of Bom Jesus houses the tomb of Saint Francis Xavier. It has impressive Baroque architecture, and the whole structure is not plastered from the outside. There are no pillars inside the main hall, and to compensate for that, the side walls were made extra thick. The altar has a huge statue of Saint Ignatius of Loyola and a small image of child Jesus (Bom Jesus). Saint Ignatius of Loyola and Saint Francis Xavier were the founding members of the Society of Jesus.
The Catholic Church of Saint Francis of Assisi is located opposite the Basilica of Bom Jesus. It was built in 1655 AD in Portuguese-Manueline style. The altar is dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi. Events from the life of the saint are portrayed as fine paintings on the altar.
The Archaeological Museum is located beside the Catholic Church of Saint Francis of Assisi. It was established in 1964 and puts on display portraits, paintings, ancient stone idols, weapons used during the Portuguese rule, and artifacts excavated at various places in Goa.
The Catholic Church of Se Cathedral is dedicated to Saint Cathedral of Alexandria. It is considered to be the largest church in the entire of Asia. The Portuguese Viceroy, Redondo, got the church commissioned. He wanted the church to be grand to showcase it as a symbol of Portuguese might. Its construction was completed in the year 1619 AD. The Se Cathedral has an impressive Corinthian interior and Tuscan exterior.
The Church of Our Lady of Divine Providence is located close to the Archaeological Museum. It is popularly known as the Saint Cajetan Church. It was constructed in 1665 AD by Italian monks (Saint Cajetan and others) who came to spread Christianity in India. The architecture of the church is similar to the Basilica of Saint Peter in Rome. Laterite stone blocks are lime plastered to make the edifice of the church. Towards the left of the church’s entrance lies the Convention of Saint Cathetan, which now serves as a Pastoral institute.
The Viceroy Arch is situated close to the Saint Cajetan Church. It was constructed in 1599 AD by the Portuguese Viceroy of Goa, Francisco De Gamma, to celebrate the centennial of the arrival of Vasco De Gamma in India in 1498 AD.
The Saint Augustine Church was constructed in 1602 AD by the friars of the Augustinian Order. It was then the largest church in India with eight chapels, four altars, and a convent attached to it. The church had three levels and two towers. The Augustinians in Goa were found to be carrying out brutality in the name of conversion. As a result, the Portuguese authorities gave orders to close the church. The church was supposedly abandoned in 1835 AD. Only ruins of the church remain now at the site.
In 1843 AD, mired by Plague, the Portuguese authorities shifted the base from Old Goa to Panaji. Fontainhas then became a residential place for government authorities. Colourful tiled-roof houses of Indo-Portuguese style are still inhabited by the residents of Fontainhas. Some of the cafes that operate here are the oldest in Goa. Exploration on foot is the best way to rendezvous with this charming old locality.
3
Post breakfast, enjoy a soulful boat ride over the Mandovi River. Then, visit the Reis Magos Fort and the Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception. There will not be any excursions during the latter part of the day.
Description:
The Reis Magos Fort was built in 1551 AD by the Portuguese as a fortress for defense purposes. Subsequently, it was also used as a jail and a hospital. It is located on the banks of the Mandovi River and is a representation of Hindu-Portuguese architecture. Adjacent to the fort is the Reis Magos Church, constructed in 1555 AD by friars of the Franciscan Order and dedicated to Saint Jerome.
The Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception is situated on a hillside in Panaji. Established in 1609 AD by converting a chapel used by Portuguese sailors, the main altar of the church is dedicated to Mother Mary, with side altars dedicated to Saint Peter and Saint Paul. The church's edifice is made in Baroque-Portuguese style with influence from local architectural styles as well. One must climb 78 steps to reach the church’s entrance. The church celebrates a festival of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception on the 8th of December every year.
Description:
The Reis Magos Fort was built in 1551 AD by the Portuguese as a fortress for defense purposes. Subsequently, it was also used as a jail and a hospital. It is located on the banks of the Mandovi River and is a representation of Hindu-Portuguese architecture. Adjacent to the fort is the Reis Magos Church, constructed in 1555 AD by friars of the Franciscan Order and dedicated to Saint Jerome.
The Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception is situated on a hillside in Panaji. Established in 1609 AD by converting a chapel used by Portuguese sailors, the main altar of the church is dedicated to Mother Mary, with side altars dedicated to Saint Peter and Saint Paul. The church's edifice is made in Baroque-Portuguese style with influence from local architectural styles as well. One must climb 78 steps to reach the church’s entrance. The church celebrates a festival of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception on the 8th of December every year.
4
Post breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive to South Goa, where you will stay in a property near the beach for three nights. There will not be any more sightseeing excursions on the tour. Enjoy leisure time for relaxation at the beaches of South Goa.
5
No excursions. Enjoy leisure time at the beach.
6
No excursions. Enjoy leisure time at the beach.
7
Check out from the hotel in the afternoon and drive to North Goa. Check in at a hotel close to the beach. Enjoy leisure time at the beach.
8
No excursions. Enjoy leisure time at the beach.
9
Post breakfast, drive to Goa International Airport, from where you will then proceed for your onward journey. The fascinating Goa tour concludes.
