Goa’s magnificent palm fringed beaches are a great place to relax and switch off. Besides, Goa has a character quite distinct from the rest of India. Despite more than three decades of ‘liberation’ from Portuguese colonial rule, Roman Catholicism remains the predominant religion, skirts far outnumber saris, and the people display an easy-going tropical indulgence, humour and civility.

Gleaming whitewashed churches with Portuguese style facades pepper the hillsides, rice paddies and dense coconut palm groves, while crumbling forts guard rocky capes and estuary entrances. Markets are lively colourful affairs, and siesta is widely observed during the hot afternoon hours. Carnival explodes onto the streets for four riotous days and nights prior to Lent.

The Goa extension can be used with all of the Indian itineraries. There are daily flights to Goa from Delhi & Bombay.