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Your sun-and-sea getaways.
A sunrise over the horizon turning the sea into molten gold. The crashing surf streaming up the sand and then receding again, leaving behind sea shells and driftwood. The swaying, fringed shadow of the palms. On the eastern and western coasts of Kerala, endless beaches offer you a balmy holiday. The Konkan coast in the west has the beaches of Goa and Diu. Go southwards to the white sands of Kovalam on the Malabar coast. On the Coromandel coast in the east are the rock-cut temples by the sea at Mamallapuram and the seaside retreat at Gopalpur-on-Sea. These breathtaking beaches promise the perfect escape to tranquillity.
A beachside carnival. Unforgettable Goa, a heady blend of serenity and excitement down a 100 km coastline, studded with some of the world's most beautiful beaches - Calangute, Colva, Baga, Dona Paula, Bogmalo. Idyllic seaside stretches where you create you own kind of holiday. Sun bathing in a quiet secluded spot or choosing the exhilarating thrills of parasailing, speed boating, water skiing, wind surfing and deep-see diving. For the Goans, life is a celebration - to the melody of guitars and mellow songs. A feast of its famous cuisine and a spirit of joyous fun. TRAVEL INFORMATION Climate : Throughout the year : Warm Clothing : Throughout the year : Cottons HOW TO GET THERE Air links to Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Cochin, Thiruvananthapuram. The nearest railhead is Vasco da Gama, (35 km) from Panaji. Road links to Ahmedabad (1,138 km), Aurangabad (699 km), Bangalore (592 km), Mumbai (597 km), Madras (923 km), Pune (473 km). WHERE TO STAY Deluxe Hotels : Aguada Hermitage. The Fort Aguada Beach Resort. The Taj holiday Village. Majorda beach Resort. Oberoi Bogmalo beach. Cidade de Goa. Standard hotels : Fidalgo, Mandovi, Hotel Nova Goa. Others Hotels : Paying guest accommodation and many `lower-end' hotels available. WHAT TO SEE PANAJI : The capital of Goa, a charming garden city by the banks of the Mandovi river. OLD GOA : 10 km east of Panaji, the capital of the Portuguese colony, with many beautiful churches like the Basilica of Bom Jesus, Se Cathedral and the Church of St Francis of Assissi. AGUADA FORT : BUILT IN 1612 by the Portuguese, 18 km from Panaji. CUISINE Famed for its sea food. Try the vindaloo and classic sorpotel. Also the local red wine. FESTIVALS Feast of St Francis Xavier, Old Goa, 3rd December. Monday in Lent. Christmas, Shigmotsav Zatra, Ganesh Chaturthi.
An island fantasy. A Portuguese colony like Goa, Diu is an off-shore island on the western coast, off the Gulf of Cambay. The coast has limestone cliffs, rocky coves and sandy beaches, the best of which are at Nagoa. A massive effort built by the Portuguese dominates the skyline. TRAVEL INFORMATION Climate : Throughout the year : Warm Clothing : Throughout the year : Cottons HOW TO GET THERE The nearest railhead is Delwada (8 km), connected to Sasangir and Junagadh. Road links to Junagadh, Palitana, Bhavnagar and Ahmedabad.
Golden sands by the Arabian Sea. The sheltered coves and white sands of Kovalam are among the best beaches in India. Palm-fringed bays in secluded coconut groves, promise a relaxed stay. TRAVEL INFORMATION Climate : Summer (Mar to Jun) : Warm Monsoon (Aug to Sep) : Warm Winter (Oct to Feb) : Mildly warm and pleasant Clothing : Throughout the year : Cottons HOW TO GET THERE Road links to Thiravananthapuram, Ernakulam and Kanniyakumari. Nearest railhead and airport is at Thiravananthapuram (16 km). WHERE TO STAY Kovalam Ashok beach Resort. Hotel Samudhra Tara. Hotel Palm Garden. Hotel Blue Sea. Mas Plaza Hotel. Lobster House Hotel. Sea Rock Lodge. Hotel Rockholy. Seaweed Hotel. Paradise Rock Lodge. CUISINE Try the sea food, especially the prawns and lobsters.
A temple town by the sea. South of Madras, Mamallapuram was once a port city of the Pallava rulers. The temples and rock cut sculptures of that period create a unique blend of history and natural beauty. TRAVEL INFORMATION Climate : Most of the Year : Warm (Dec & Jan) : Cool and pleasant Clothing : Throughout the year : Cottons HOW TO GET THERE Nearest airport, Madras (49 km). Rail links to Madras, Kanchipuram and Arkonam. Road links to Madras, Pondicherry and Bangalore. WHERE TO STAY Temple Bay Ashok Beach Resort, Hotel Tamilnadu, Silver Sands, Ideal Beach Resort. WHAT TO SEE ROCK CUT CAVES : Nine caves with carvings from Indian mythology. ARJUNA'S PENANCE : The world's largest stone has relief on a huge rock facing the sea with sculptures depicting scenes from the Mahabharata. THE RATHAS : Five monolithic temples dedicated to Hindu gods. Also known as Pancha Pandava Rathas. SHORE TEMPLE : Built in the 8th century AD, it is one of the oldest temples in South India. SHOPPING Carved stone images of deities, wood carvings, jewellery made from sea shells.
A quiet retreat. On the east cost of Orissa, this quiet beach is ideal for boating and yatching. The hot springs of Taptapani are an hour's drive from here. TRAVEL INFORMATION Climate : Most of the Year : Warm (Dec & Jan) : Cool and pleasant Clothing : Throughout the year : Cottons HOW TO GET THERE Nearest railhead, Berhampur (18 km). Road links to Berhampur. WHERE TO STAY Luxury Hotels : Hotel Oberoi Palm Beach Standard hotels : Sea Breeze, Hotel Holiday Home, Hotel Mermaid.
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