Laze on the beach by all means, and party your brains out too. But then what Most people don&rsquot realise how much else there is to do in Goa, and it doesn&rsquot even take going far out of your way to do it.
Heritage Walks
Since its inception in 2000, the Goa Heritage Action, a non-governmental organisation that is &ldquodedicated to the preservation of Goa&rsquos priceless heritage,&rdquo has undertaken festivals to showcase various neighbourhoods, listing of heritage properties and sites, and restoration of threatened monuments and markers. Now, it is taking all that expertise public with guided heritage walks across various parts of the city, led by experts in architecture and history.
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Bespoke Wildlife Tours
When Rahul Alvares was a baby, his mother reports, a cobra was seen fanning its neck above his crib before gliding away silently. That kind of uncanny relationship with wild animals has been sustained into adulthood by the award-winning herpetologist, wildlife photographer and author, who also makes himself available for outstanding day trips to view birds, animals and butterflies.
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Whitewater Rafting
Veteran adventure sportsman John Pollard and his experienced team conduct thrilling rapids-surfing trips down the Mhadei River (only during the monsoon) and the Tillari River Gorge (October to April) just north of the state border. For 14-year-olds and above, this is decidedly one of the most fun things in Goa.
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Dive Goa
Preternaturally calm marine engineer and naturalist Ajey Patil is widely considered India&rsquos best SSI and PADI-certified diving instructor, and is especially effective with children and teens. His diveshop and training centre focusses on personalised attention and small groups, with no compromise on equipment and safety. One of his specialities is overnight trips to Netrani, the island 200-odd km south of Goa, which is considered one of the best diving locations off the coast of India.
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Casa Museu Figueiredo
The most extraordinary living document of the heyday of Goa&rsquos aristocratic gentry is the palazzo of the Figueiredo family in South Goa&rsquos Loutolim. Still a family home, but now also a museum, it displays exquisite taste magnificent furniture, porcelain, draperies, artwork, libraries. Best of all, if you call in advance, the regal octogenarian Dona Maria de Lourdes de Figueiredo de Albuquerque will prepare a Luso-Indian lunch to be served in her family dining room.
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Trindade Gallery
Tiny Goa has had an outsized impact on modern Indian art. Francis Newton Souza and Vasudeo Gaitonde were key figures in the Progressive Artists Movement. Angelo da Fonseca was a Santiniketan exemplar. But before them all was Antonio X. Trindade, a star faculty member at JJ School of Art in Bombay, whose portraits earned him the title &lsquoRembrandt of India.&rsquo See many of his best works in the heart of Panjim&rsquos Latin Quarter. Fundação Oriente, Fontainhas.
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