1

This may help for things to see and do in Goa,

http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Attractions-g297604-Activities-Goa.html

After Goa there is Hampi via Hospet or you could head south from Goa towards Kerala down the Konkan coastline.

2

Expect large crowds,parties amd craziness in the north..Much more calm in the south.Palolem is popular....Hampi is a nice side trip,on your way to Kerala.

3

February would be the right time for Goa. As fivejacks mentioned the beaches would be crowded, so you can head for less travelled destinations.

You can check out the South Goa places and beaches from my blog articles below:

http://avik-besttraveldestinations.blogspot.in/2012/02/goa-beach-lovers-delight-part-1-south.html

North Goa will be full of activities while South Goa would be a little calm and lesisure destination:
http://avik-besttraveldestinations.blogspot.in/2012/03/north-goa-commonly-visited-beaches.html

You can probably check out for a backwater cruise or head to the Canacona Islands as well.

1 week would be more than enough for Goa. You can probably head southwards to Kerala or north to visit another beautiful beach of Ganpatipule.

http://www.maharashtratourism.gov.in/mtdc/HTML/MaharashtraTourism/TouristDelight/Beaches/Beaches.aspx?strpage=Ganapatipule_beaches.html

Also check out for these:
http://www.idiscoverindia.com/Travel_Goa/Goa_side_trips.html

Happy Journey

4

OP - are you intending to stay 10 days in Goa as part of a much longer itinerary or do you return to your native place immediately.
If it is just a short trip, just read up the references and your guidebook for ideas with a sidetrip to Hampi for 3 days.
If its part of alonger trip than enjoy a week in Goa before moving on to Hampi, Mysore and Kerala.

Your guidebook is the best bet as they tend to offer a decent concensus of advice without too much subjectivity You'll also save a bunch of time and money.

5

I suggest you bring an international driving license .Goa has good roads and a motorbike is a good way to move about
Goa is good for music dancing discos etc whichyou may not get in other parts of india
You can see the beaches and the churches temples
I would take the konkan railway and explore the beaches south of Goa as well
karwar murdeshwar slowly working your way towards kerala
I feel one week in goa would be enough

6

Getting the train from Mumbai to Madgeon (sp?) This is in South Goa, right?
Where would be best place to stay? So much info on Goa, am finding it hard to get objective ideas about where is a good place to stay that is the right balance of busy/peaceful and good access to other areas.

Grateful for any advice

Elle x

7

There are classes of trains
superfast stops only at major junctions

mail/express stops more frequently

passenger stops everywhere-takes forever

rajdhani ?

garib rath 3ac at lower rate
duranto non stop delhi pune
sampak kranti?

Madgaon is at south goa
nearby beaches colva,benaulim ,varca -actually one beach belt with different names

take buses when possible-dont get ripped off by taxis

There is prepaid taxi stand just outside the main gate at margao

Alternatively lock yur luggage and CHAIN it at luggage room and come backfor it later

Important Carry a chain with a small padlock to fasten your luggage to the seat

North goa anjuna vagator etc are far more expensive -but you would meet more foreigners

I would suggest thatyou try near maria hall benaulim

dont go for a hotel
Just get down at maria hall and say that you want a cheap room
people keep tourists unofficially on in their houses
that way you get warmth of the locals that you wont get at a hotel
never mind if the place is 10 minutes walking distance from the beach

8

Getting the train from Mumbai to Madgeon (sp?)
there is a foreign tourist ticket quota available and special counter too

http://www.indianrail.gov.in/between_Imp_Stations.html

i got this error message but amnot discouraged

I
pNR Status Train Between Important Stations Seat Availability Fare Enquiry Internet Reservation
Sorry, This particular service is unavailable at this time!!!
Please try again later. (Port Number 9697)

instead go the www.irctc.co.in register yourself and use An AMEX card

9

PAYMENT GATEWAY
================
Ticket Reservation
Train Name: MANDOVI EXPRESS Class: First Class AC(1A) Date: 04-Dec-2012
From: MUMBAI CST (CSTM) To: MADGAON (MAO) Train No: 10103
Boarding Point: CSTM Reservation Upto:MADGAON (MAO) Quota: General
Passenger Details
SNo Name Age Sex Berth Preference Senior Citizen
1 TEST 50 Male Lower No

Ticket Details
Ticket Fare: Rs.2105 * IRCTC Service Charge: Rs.20 Total Amount: Rs. 2125
Total Availability at: 3:03 (IST) Availability in General Quota: AVAILABLE-0003

• Inclusive of Service Tax - Rs 75

Note1: This availability is for all berths, not of your prefered berth type. As tickets are booked throughout the country across PRS counters, any confirmed status shown above may decline into RAC/Waiting list status, while your payment is being processed.
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10

Already registered with IRCTC and cleartrip so should be sorted for train travel. Thanks for advice

11

Best areas of North Goa?? Anjuna? Arambol? Morjim?