We are a family of 2+ 6 kids (14-1) from the UK and have decided that we are going to spend 10 days near Delhi and then the same in Goa in April 2011. Can anybody help us with advice - particularly for Goa where we hope to find something of the more laid back and historic life.
We also need to find a place to base ourselves that will not break the bank. Much as I love the 5* hotel scene of India it leaves me rather empty and I'd rather get more low key.
Great tips hugely appreciated.
Should have explained - we visited Goa years ago before children,and found it teeming with kids who were all having a great time. So we have a headstart and thought it was time our kids had a chance to discover it.
When you say near Delhi - do you mean Rajasthan area (since that is where people tend to head), or within Delhi? If it is within budget then the Neemrana Forest-Palace is worth a stay. It is about 100 km from Delhi. It is no where close to 5-star but not budget either. It is a fantastic labyrinth like castle / fort on a hillside in a small village. It has a good pool, rooms with character and a lot of space just to enjoy and watch the view. It is also has a zip-line and a fantastic step-well close by to visit. If you google it the website has other accommodation too within India which may be just as good.
I've been to Goa ages ago, but we must have missed the kids. All we saw were cows, women swimming in saris and lots of empty backpacker places since it was off-season.
April is a frankly, porr time to go. The heat will be incredible intense and temperatures in delhi do go 40+ (and that's Celsius!!!!!).
Its best to stay a bit interiors during Summer in Goa - its pretty cool , transport & food is at a fraction of the cost of what it is near the beaches. A very appealing option is a homestay "Mystic Woods " ( http://www.mysticwoods.in/index_files/homestay.htm ) ; it will cost you around Rs.1800 per day for the whole family . Also check out the spice plantations and the Butterfly conservatory ( www.bcogoa.org ) which are close by
Well, I know you asked about Goa, but I'm going to go ahead and make a different recommendation: Kerala. We were in both Kerala and Goa with kids at this time last year, and there were BY FAR a greater number of families and children on the beaches of Kerala (we were in Kovalam and Varkala in particular, though there are others). The Kerala beaches also have lifeguards, less garbage, fewer oglers, etc. The Goa beaches are beautiful too, but most have more of a party atmosphere. We thought Palolem was okay. Agonda was spectacular and virtually empty, but we didn't meet a ton of kids there. Both Kovalam and Varkala have lots of low-key places to stay at, and the boogie-boarding is MUCH better than in Goa if you have older kids who are into that.