Goa Ideas

Mad_Cyril

On half term cover and trying to find somewhere warm in Feb, searching TUI’s website and Goa just randomly popped up with amenable flight times - constrained by flying from Mcr.

Any tips on where might be nice to go for me and daughter? She’s 12 so not into merciless Trance or anything.

Somewhere relatively in-rustic where we can get a good balance would be useful.

Also any providers worth checking out, or even mileage in DIY flight and hotels?

Any tips greatly appreciated. Am off to call Trailfinders and let the hassling commence!

hugopal

Mad_Cyril She’s 12 so not into merciless Trance or anything.

Psh, I was in to merciless Trance and wanting to go raving when I was 11 already.

Dubman

Mad_Cyril
If I was you I’d definitely head to south Goa where it’s more family orientated and has loads of nice resorts to stay at.
I wouldn’t know which are good though. If you choose Tui they have non stop flights direct from Manchester.

mrrossi

Was looking for something pretty similar and ended up in Marrakesh for a week in November.
Crazy place everyone on the hustle,food was great and pretty reasonably priced.Only downfall was the availability of booze but found a booze supermarket.Beer was still pricey but the wine was good(presume the French influence)
No long flight and the weather was hot too.

Mad_Cyril

mrrossi
Have been looking, but not sure will Be pool weather in Feb.

Closest seems to be Canaries, but I’ve no experience of there and have a preconception of it being a bit brits abroad!

bosstrabs

Maybe you can make an OakenFOLDER of all the best ideas!

Smallman1

Your trip to India sounds like a GOA to me MC.

Oi oi etc etc.

bosstrabs

I hope this thread isn’t read by VIN. DA LOOSER doesn’t know anything about travel.

Mad_Cyril

bosstrabs
I hope you aren’t planning on HINDUring this thread further Dave?

This is a serious MATAR

Smallman1

TIKKA’s all the boxes this trip.

Cankles-McJeggings

Cambodia if she’s not really your daughter.

alistair

Mad_Cyril you’d be wrong mate. Gran Canaria are Lanzarote are mainly lovely that time of the year, family friendly and pretty good value as far as good hotels are comcerned

Smallman1

The Canaries are a right SPAIN in the arse.

Mad_Cyril

Dubman If you choose Tui they have non stop flights direct from Manchester.

Looks like they do.

Will check South out, thanks for the intel

Dubman

Mad_Cyril
North Goa does have some holiday resorts. But steer clear of places like Candolim, Calangute & Baga as it would be like staying in Spain.
Up where I stay in Small Vagator it’s not so child friendly but is right between Anjuna & Chapora. There is the 5*W hotel in Chapora down by the beach which is very nice & expensive.

rhouses

I’d probably split the holiday in two, one on the Russian side (morjim et al) for quieter more pristine beaches - maybe stay in one of those fancy beach tents or a nice Airbnb villas. La Plage (lovely French restaurant) for meals.

And then for a bit of hustle and bustle - Vagator, Anjuna, Baga - around those parts. You’ll want to do things like the Anjuna flea market with your daughter. Better to play it safe and do a 5 star there.

Your food choices are probably limited to what I would say is ‘safe’, but definitely put Gunpowder, Izumi, Larder And Folk, and Bomras on your to-dos. If my good friends have opened it by the time you’re there, check out Cafe Nola, I don’t say this lightly but the head chef is the best baker in India. If you want hardcore goan (thalis etc), I’ll give you another list.

Haven’t been in many years, so my info might be dated.

rhouses

If you’re transiting through Bangalore, MC, let me know… if not, I’ll try to come out there in Feb and hopefully catch you and dubbers.

Also, you could put Thalassa on your list of restaurants, not sure if it’s moved locations or what post covid, but the view is spectacular and the greek food is decent. Back in the day they used to make insanely good slovakis, not sure about the quality now. Should be safe for the little one as it won’t be a massive blast of spices.

Dubman

rhouses
I used to stay a few minutes from Thalassa. Its definitely moved after it got burnt down. A few years. It’s now in Siolim and is still on the coast. Brilliant Greek food.

rhouses

Dubman Not very close to the beach, but my friends (who all migrated from Bombay to Goa during COVID), say that Siolim is the way to go for holidaying, very local and there isn’t too much riff raff. Lots of great boutique hotels there, but the beach won’t be walking distance.

Also, pro tip, just rent a car as legitimately as you can, I would avoid scooters with a child. And taxis will be a massive rip off.

bosstrabs

rhouses I would avoid scooters with a child.

This is Asia, everywhere I’ve been in Asia you see whole families on a scooter, including child stood in the footwell. MC should get in on that fun, like a local.

Dubman

rhouses
Yeah. Siolim is nice but there is nothing to do there. At least you can look out on the Chapora bay from Thalassa. You did mention Morjim or mini Moscow as it was called. Does have really nice long beach. Although last time I was there it had a lot less Russians. Due to the Rubel collapsing. I think it was 1 Rubel to 1 rupee. Now the new international Airport at Mopa has just opened that whole area in North Goa will change massively in the coming years.

Dubman

bosstrabs
I ride a scooter all the time in Goa. I’ve been out in Jeep’s when my friends have hired them but it’s way to scary if you’re not used to the roads.

rhouses

bosstrabs Dealing with Indian traffic and huge lorries and trucks barreling at you on with barely any brakes on tiny two way roads isn’t the most fun. Instant death. Better to have a janky rented car with seatbelts.

rhouses

Dubman Ahh that’s true, you’re not gonna find too much action out there. Find the right boutique hotel in that area though, and you should be sorted. The local food options are also very good, from what my friends tell me.