Cochin to Goa

About the city:Beautiful palm fringed beaches, Portuguese architecture, a happening nightlife and peace and tranquility- that’s Goa for you. One of India’s most popular holiday destinations, Goa has something for everyone.

Airports and Railways: The Dabolim Airport lies 29 kilometers away from the state capital of Panaji. The airport is well connected by regular flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Kochi. The two main railway stations in Goa are the Madhgaon Junction (39 kilometres from Panjim), Vasco- Da- Gama Railway Station (28 kilometres from Panjim) and Dabolim Railway station (25 kilometres from Panjim). All these stations are well connected by trains from the rest of the country.
There are various public as well as private bus operators in Goa that provide inter-state and intra-state connections. KSRTC, MSRTC and KTC are some of the government transport corporations that operate from Panaji, Madgaon and Vasco Da Gama. There are also many private bus operators such as Neeta Tour and Travels, Paulo Travels and Naik Tours and Travels that operate bus services to and from cities like Mumbai and Pune.

Hotels and Restaurants: Some of Goa’s finest hotels include Estrela Do Mar Beach Resort, Deltin Suites, Neelam’s The Grand and Resort De Alturas. All these hotels provide comfortable accommodations along with scenic views.Goa is a food lovers’ paradise and is particularly famed for its fresh and delicious seafood. Some of Goa’s most popular restaurants include Mum’s Kitchen, Fiesta, Britto’s and Alfama to name a few. Some of the dishes you must try in Goa include Pork Vindaloo, Crab Xacuti, Kingfish Curry, Goan Prawn Curry and Bebinca.

Markets: Goa has many interesting options for shopping and some of Goa’s popular shopping haunts include Mapusa Market (for spices, fruits and homemade pickles), Anjuna Flea Market (for clothes, footwear, beachwear and local handicrafts), Arpora Saturday Night Bazaar (for spices, carpets and embroidered textiles) and Calangute Market Square (for sarongs, trinkets, metal, leather and clay items).

City Transportation: Taxis are a great way of getting around the city. You can either hire a cab in advance, or book one directly from the airport, or railway station. Another popular way of getting around Goa is by hiring bikes, scooters, or cars. Vehicles for hire are easily available all through Goa and all you need is an ID proof to hire one.

Must-See Places: Some of the places you must visit on your Goa trip are Baga Beach, Anjuna Beach, Basilica of Bom Jesus, Fort Aguada and Chapora Fort.

Climate of Goa: Mid-November to Mid-February are the winter months in Goa and is the most pleasant time to visit. March to May are the hotter months and not many tourists visit during this time. June to October are predominately the monsoon months.

Situated on the southwest coast of the Indian peninsula, the vibrant city of Kochi is a must visit. Kochi has well been known as the ideal starting point to explore the wonders of the state and getting a flight to and from Kochi is easy.

This important gateway is not just the commercial hub of Kerala but an interestingly cultural one as well. From sightseeing and shopping to indulging in authentic south Indian cuisine, Kochi definitely has much to offer the discerning traveler.

Kochi is undoubtedly a haven for fresh seafood and an impressive assortment of mouth-watering vegetarian and non-vegetarian delicacies. The city is a shopperÔÇÖs paradise and one can find almost anything and everything. Some of the items that can be got from here are gorgeous silks, antiques and crafts.

From early December to late February is when the weather is cool and pleasant and is one of the best times to get a flight to Cochin. The international airport is located 30kms northeast of the city. There are numerous airlines that operate regular flights to and from Kochi to major destinations around the world.