Goa - The Coolest Place In India

If there was a special distinction given to places that have no match, Goa would be among the leading contestants. There is simply no other place like Goa on this planet, and it is this quality that attracts people from all over the world to visit. It's large number of religious shrines and buildings, its unique culture, its characteristic architecture, and it's biologically rich location in the Western Ghats mountain range all contribute to create the city of Goa that people love so much today. If you are thinking of traveling to Goa, you will need a passport. Begin by learning more about the U.S. passport process online.

Trip preparation has recently undergone a massive change. You are now able to purchase passports on the internet via secure and easy-to-use websites that specialize in expedited passport service. Expediting a passport simply means that you will receive a passport within days instead of months. They offer services that help you with things like renewing US passport and even getting a your first ever passport.

Goa is very noticeably different than other Indian cities. This may seem strange, but it can be traced to the 450 year long Portuguese occupation of Boa. This occupation blended Indian and Portuguese cultures and created a city and an atmosphere so drastically different from those around it. You can still see old Portuguese churches when you explore the city today. Museums also have displays covering the cultural heritage of Goa from its beginnings to the present.

The Bom Jesus Basilica houses the remains of the patron saint of Goa, St. Francis Xavier. This, as well as its intricate and beautiful architecture, have earned the designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Goa shopping is excellent as well; handmade handicrafts are very popular items to sell.

Part of what adds to the allure of Goa can be attributed to the beautiful beaches. A long day at the beach needs to be a part of any Goa traveler's itinerary. The waving fronds of the palm trees and the salty fresh sea air are two things that you will encounter a lot of in Goa, as there are plenty of beaches to visit.

Anjuna Beach and Colva Beach are great beaches to visit, and popular beach activities include scuba diving and snorkeling, sailing, surfing, and water skiing. Definitely spare some time to visit Chapora Fort, an attraction located very close to Anjuna Beach. Also be sure to spend a Saturday night at the weekly bazaar that takes place in the nearby village of Arpora.

If you are a lover of animals and nature, definitely be sure to visit some of Goa's many nature preserves. As talked about previously, Goa is a hotspot for biological diversity, and you can experience some of this by visiting preserves like Mandovi-Zuari Wildlife Sanctuary, which happens to be the highest rated in India, as well as Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, a place popular for its multitude of bird species.

No matter what you are looking for in your trip to Goa, whether its spirituality, nature, culture, food, beaches, you will find it during your stay. If you are thinking of traveling to Goa, you will need to have a passport. Start your passport application online if you don't have a passport. If you do have a passport, and it is expired, renewing a passport online is easily done as well.