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* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.
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Pricing is per person. Children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and children 4 and under are free. Please note number and ages of children at time of booking. Please note that all experiences are private and fully customizable. If your travelers have particular preferences or dietary restrictions please note this at the time of booking. Additional terms and conditions apply.
Note: This is a DAY TOUR with no hotel accommodations included. Advertised rate is cooking lesson only; additional tour options are available and can be combined. Price may vary by date of travel, currency rate fluctuations and tour option; please inquire for the best prices for your preferred travel dates. 2-20 guests.
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
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Goa
Goa is the smallest state of the republic of India. It lies on the country's west coast, about 250 miles south of Bombay. The state covers an area of 1,429 square miles. Long, sandy beaches, fringed with coconut palms, make Goa a tropical paradise for visitors. Other tourist attractions are the colonial buildings from the 1500's, built when Goa was headquarters of Portugal's Asian empire. Today, Old Goa is half-hidden in jungle. Its population was severely affected by plague in the 1600's, and a new city was set up at Panaji, which contains the main government buildings. Margao is Goa's biggest commercial center. Mormugao, Goa's major port, has a fine harbor - one of the best on the west coast of India. The harbor is the focus of economic activity in Goa.
Goa is India’s smallest state by area and the fourth smallest by population. Located in West India in the region known as the Konkan, it is bounded by the state of Maharashtra to the north and by Karnataka to the east and south, while the Arabian Sea forms its western coast.
Goa is India’s smallest state by area and the fourth smallest by population. Located in West India in the region known as the Konkan, it is bounded by the state of Maharashtra to the north and by Karnataka to the east and south, while the Arabian Sea forms its western coast. Flavours
Depart the pier and head towards Old Goa which stands testimony not only to the reality of the Portuguese rule in the country, but also to the grandeur and wealth of the city during their reign.
Your first visit of the day will be to the St. Cajetan Church which was modelled on St. Peter’s in Rome and built of laterite blocks and lime plastered. The façade, having two towers on either side to serve as a belfry, has Corinthian columns and pilasters supporting a pediment, and four niches, which keep the statues of the apostles. Hidden beneath the church is a crypt where the embalmed bodies of Portuguese governors were kept in lead coffins before they were shipped back to Lisbon. Forgotten for a time, the last batch was removed only in 1992.
Continuing, the next stop will be at the Basilica of Bom Jesus which was built by the Jesuits in the 16th century and is one of the most important churches in Goa. The embalmed body of St. Frances Xavier is enshrined here in a marble mausoleum, which is exposed to the public once every ten years. The last date this happened was in December 2014.
Your final visit will be to the Panjim ‘Fontainhas’ area where the walking tour will begin. The Fontainhas is the Latin Quarter built by the Portuguese and we will be able to view from the outside the church and the old villas. Later, drive through Panjim, the capital city passing through streets lined with old villas that are characteristic of Portuguese Goa.
Later proceed for Trpical Plantation for visit and lunch. Spices are an ever present part of Indian life - they are essential in flavoring the distinctive regional cuisines and if you keep your eyes open you will see their bright colors reflected in the ladies' saris, and decorative textiles everywhere.
To find out where they come from, pay a most enjoyable visit to a spice plantation. Take a guided walk through the trees see what you can identify, smell, taste, and learn about the myriad spices for which India is renowned. And what place could be more perfect for a meal? Enjoy lunch here where everything is fresh and fragrant. Don't worry, the simple, tasty food will be spiced for Western tastes, and the preparation of each will be explained. After lunch you will return to the port and your ship.
| TIMING | ITINERARY & POINTS OF INTEREST | DISTANCE & TERRAIN | W/C FRIENDLY |
| 00h00 - 01h30 | Depart the pier for an Old Goa Churches | This tour is not suitable for guests in wheelchairs; and those with mobility issues | |
| 01h30 - 02h30 | Arrive in Old Goa and visit Basilica of Bom Jesus Church & St. Cajetan Church | 700 meters / Flat / 04 steps | |
| 02h30 - 03h00 | Depart for Panjim Latin Quarters | ||
| 03h00 - 03h20 | Visit around the Latin Quarters | 400 meters / Flat / 15 optional steps | |
| 03h20 - 04h20 | Drive to Tropical Plantation | ||
| 04h20 - 05h50 | Visit and lunch at Plantation | ||
| 05h50 - 07h00 | Return to pier |
Proceed for St. Cajetan Church which was modelled on St. Peter’s in Rome and built of laterite blocks and lime plastered. The façade, having two towers on either side to serve as a belfry, has Corinthian columns and pilasters supporting a pediment, and four niches, which keep the statues of the apostles. Hidden beneath the church is a crypt where the embalmed bodies of Portuguese governors were kept in lead coffins before they were shipped back to Lisbon. Forgotten for a time, the last batch was removed only in 1992.
Continuing, the next stop will be at the Basilica of Bom Jesus which was built by the Jesuits in the 16th century and is one of the most important churches in Goa. The embalmed body of St. Frances Xavier is enshrined here in a marble mausoleum, which is exposed to the public once every ten years. The last date this happened was in December 2014. Continue with a short walk to the Se, or St Catherine’s Cathedral, which was commissioned to be "a grandiose church worthy of the wealth, power and fame of the Portuguese who dominated the seas from the Atlantic to the Pacific." With its exterior Tuscan design it is still larger than any other church in Portugal and said to be the largest in Asia.
Next visit will be to the Panjim ‘Fontainhas’ area where the walking tour will begin. The Fontainhas is the Latin Quarter built by the Portuguese and we will be able to view from the outside the church and the old villas. Later, drive through Panjim, the capital city passing through streets lined with old villas that are characteristic of Portuguese Goa.
Return to pier.
| TIMING | ITINERARY & POINTS OF INTEREST | DISTANCE & TERRAIN | W/C FRIENDLY |
| 00h00 – 01h00 | Drive to Old Goa Churches | This tour is not suitable for guests in wheelchairs; and those with mobility issues | |
| 01h00 – 02h30 | Visit Basilica of Bom Jesus, Se Cathedral Church and St. Cajethan Church | 350 meters / Flat / 6 steps | |
| 02h30 – 03h15 | Proceed for Panjim City, visit Latin quarter | 450 meters / Flat steps | |
| 03h15 – 04h15 | Return to the pier |
Meet at the Port of Marmugao, Goa
(Excursion timings will be subject to the ship's arrival and departure)
HALF DAY TOUR: 4HRS
Disembark from the ship and meet your personal guide on the pier.
Today the tour takes you Old Goa and start with a visit to the Basilica Bom Jesus which houses the remains of St Francis Xavier. His tomb was the gift of the Grand Duke of Tuscany, and was carved by the Florentine sculptor Giovanni Battista. Around the silver casket are 32 plaques decorated with scenes from the saint’s life. Nearby on “Holy Hill” is the Convent of St Cajetan, dedicated to St Catherine, on whose day Goa was recaptured. Inside are catacombs with the embalmed bodies of Portuguese viceroys and archbishops. Along the way, you pass several other churches you may like to visit – Se Cathedral, the largest of the churches in Old Goa and the Chapel of our Lady of the Rosary built in 1526 and a synthesis of Iberian, Hindu and Moslem styles. At the Church and Convent of St Francis of Assisi is an interesting archeological Museum and Portrait Gallery. In Panaji you can visit the Mahalaxmi Temple and walk in Goa’s Latin quarters – Fontainhas
You will be dropped at the pier late in the afternoon.
Inclusions:
Private chauffeur driven air conditioned vehicle, Private guide,Complimentary Soft beverages and Bottled water in the car, Monument entrance and still camera fee,Meet and Assist at all airports and hotels, Porterage at airports, All currently applicable taxes
Exclusions:
Expenses of any personal nature (laundry,telephone calls etc, unless specified) Tipping at hotels and to guides/escorts (unless specified), Meals (unless specified) Any insurance or Visa, Any hike in monument entrances fee or revision in government taxes, Air fare is quoted seperately
Lush and lovely Goa was created as a place for relaxation where Sun worship is a cult form. Adventure seekers can go hunting for beaches and tiny villages. There are colorful local markets, trips to Spice farms and a countryside of Portuguese and Indian culture, with warm friendly people. In quiet and complete contrast to other ports and places on the Indian sub-continent, Goa offers a quaint reflection of its colonial Portuguese past well assimilated with its democratic Indian present.
We drive to visit `Old Goa’ and the Basilica of Bom Jesus famous throughout the Catholic world. Amongst other religious edifices still standing in Old Goa is the `Se Cathedral”, the largest church in Asia, but also the site of the “Golden Bell” which announced the death – knell of burning heretics during the inquisition.
Goa’s capital, Panaji (formerly Panjim) spread along the south bank of the wide Mandovi River, in a charming sprawl of red-roofed houses, sunny squares and gardens of bougainvillea and frangipani. The newly built Nehru Bridge spans the river giving easy access to the beaches along the ocean shore to the north.
Visit Panjim town which has a relaxed and friendly atmosphere especially along the leafy avenues of its old section, retaining its Portuguese style winding streets and old houses with red tiled roofs and overhanging balconies. The streets have taverns offering Goan cuisine and “Feni” (cashew nut liquor) and bakeries serving `Bebinca’, the delicious local cake. Many residents still speak Portuguese.
Overlooking `Largo de Igreja’ or Church Square is the Church of Immaculate Conception with its Baroque façade, probably the town’s most important landmark. In 1541 Portuguese sailors began visiting this church to offer thanksgiving prayers after their long and treacherous voyage from Lisbon.
Later, explore the market before driving back to the ship.
- Tour Duration: 5 hours
- Tour can operate : Morning
- Physical activity level : Moderate
- Wheelchair Accessible : No
Inclusions:
- Transportation by an air-conditioned vehicle
- Services of a local English speaking guide.
- All the entrance fees and camera fees.
- Credit card and bank charges.
- All the prevailing taxes.
You will be met at the pier (Excursion timings will be subject to the ship's arrival and departure). Once you disembark from your cruise-liner, you will meet your guide in the arrival hall. He will escort you to your waiting vehicle and together you will set of to explore some of the important sights of Goa.
Start your tour with a visit to the World Heritage-listed Basilica of Bom Jesus, which houses the remains of St. Francis Xavier. The remains are entombed in a silver casket, which is kept in a mausoleum carved by the Florentine sculptor Giovanni Battista. Continue on to Se Cathedral, a magnificent 16th-century monument and the largest church in Goa. Finally, stop at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, built in the 17th century which houses an interesting archeological Museum and Portrait Gallery. Stop for lunch at a tropical spice plantation after which, you will have time to stroll around the grounds and explore the butterfly garden in the premises.
You will also visit the Shri Manguesh Temple. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the 400-year-old Shri Manguesh Temple is considered to be one of the most beautiful temples in Goa, and features a 7-story Deepa Stambha (decorative lamp tower) at the gates of the temple complex. You will then visit Shree Shantadurga Temple, located in the hills and noted for its statue of the Hindu goddess Durga.
You will then return to the port area.
Inclusions: Private chauffeur driven air conditioned vehicle, private guide, complimentary soft beverages and bottled water in the car, monument entrance and still camera fee, meet and assist at all airports and hotels, porterage at airports, all current applicable taxes.
Exclusions: Expenses of any personal nature (laundry, telephone calls etc, unless specified), tipping at hotels and to guides/escorts (unless specified), meals (unless specified) any insurance or Visa, any hike in monument entrances fee or revision in government taxes, air fare is quoted separately.
*Terms and conditions apply
