Goa Travel Forum

Hi,
I'll be travelling with my family (parents and aunt) to South India this May and would really like some advice. We're visiting Kerala for a few days and thereafter, going to Tamil Nadu to see a famous church(Velakanni church). Thereafter, we are travelling to Goa and spending about 3 days in Goa.

What we would like to know is if there are any nice places/cities to stop over and visit along/in between Tamil Nadu and Goa. Do advice, thank you so much!

Bangalore is a beautiful garden city which is now at the cutting edge of "modern" India. It's at the heart of India's IT business. A mix of traditional, colonial and 21st century.

Hampi is a city trapped in a timewarp. During the 14-16 centuries it was the capital of the Vijayanagara empire, now it is a vast area of ancient temples and dwellings that have changed little (except for decaying) since the fall of that empire in 1565.

Those two places, both on the way from Velankanni to Goa.

Bangalore is a beautiful garden city which is now at the cutting edge of "modern" India. It's at the heart of India's IT business. A mix of traditional, colonial and 21st century.

Hampi is a city trapped in a timewarp. During the 14-16 centuries it was the capital of the Vijayanagara empire, now it is a vast area of ancient temples and dwellings that have changed little (except for decaying) since the fall of that empire in 1565.

Those two places, both on the way from Velankanni to Goa.

A few additions from my side...

The city of Mysore has palaces and architecture, the beaches of Karwar are beautiful, and Coorg is a nice place to be at.

Check out KarnatakaTourism.com That site will give you loads of options..

Also, depending on the route you take, you could think about the Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary.

I doubt you will have the time to visit all these places, but then if you are travelling near to some nice ones, it wont hurt to take a detour :)

A few additions from my side...

The city of Mysore has palaces and architecture, the beaches of Karwar are beautiful, and Coorg is a nice place to be at.

Check out KarnatakaTourism.com That site will give you loads of options..

Also, depending on the route you take, you could think about the Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary.

I doubt you will have the time to visit all these places, but then if you are travelling near to some nice ones, it wont hurt to take a detour :)

Hi Jamie,

Thanks! I'll definitely look into those places. U're right, we may not be able to cover all because of limited time. India is seriously so huge, so many nice places to visit, really wish I had more time. I hear the North is really beautiful too. =) Btw, any recommendations on the most scenic and picturesque beach resort to stay at in Goa itself? There are so many apparently popular beaches there as I can see from the net, so I'm really not sure which to choose. The most scenic beach(not too isolated either) will be good. My dad has given me the honour of choosing the beach resort we'll be staying at. :p

Hi Geoveo,

Thanks! I looked up Hampi on the net and it seems like a really nice historical place, you're right - caught in a timewarp. I'll definitely stop by Hampi.

hampi is worth the stop-over...bangalore is like any other major crowded city...

resorts depending on your budget....top end ones like leela & taj exotica...taj holiday village...taj fort aguada are some....it would really depend on your budget....around palolem you have the intercontinental "the lalit"...you have some beach bungalows at agonda ....north goa has resorts by the dozens.....

Hey Steph,

Dont worry about places you havent seen. The things you see and enjoy will more than make up for anything you may have missed.

The more quieter (and many would agree the more beautiful) beaches in Goa lie to the far south or the far north.

Down south, i would suggest you stay at Agonda (plenty of beach huts) or in Palolem (Chattai Beach Huts) See www.chattai.co.in
Make sure you check out Rajbagh beach, and the Cabo de Rama Fort (and the adjoining beach) and Galgibaga beach if you are in the South :) In my opinion the most beautiful beaches are all down south.

If you are thinking of something upscale - The Cidade de Goa is a nice option. Its in the middle of town and midway between the north and the south. InterContinental Grand Resort is located right down south at the Rajbagh beach.

In the north, you can think of staying at Arambol Beach or Morjim Beach (See www.goacasablanca.com and www.treehutsingoa.com ) Dont miss out on Anjuna beach in the north ...

There are loads of options available anyday and you will meet lots of tourists so you can always ask around and you will be guided well.. There are churches and temples and the town of Panjim if you are tired of the beaches...

Have fun :)