"Goa, Jewel of India" a Goa Travel Page by Pete.Gibson

This green and historic land was first colonised by the Portuguese about 500 years ago, It reverted back to Indian rule in 1961 after a short struggle, its coast line is dotted with a number of good beaches, Panaji or Panjim as the English call it, is the capital but only the third largest city, both Vasgo-de-gama and Margoa are bigger.
Goa is mentioned in the Indian epic Mahabharata, as gomantak, which means fertile land, although the true meaning is properly lost in the mists of time
Goa is served by Dabolim airport and also has both train and bus links from other Indian cities
Best time to visit is between sept-March, monsoons season is June July

Other than the Beaches Goa has a lot to offer the traveller, a wealth of Historic churches remain from the Portuguese period, including The Cathedral dedicated to st Catherine, which incidentally is the largest Christian church in Asia, The Bom Jesus resting place of St Francis Xavier the patron saint of Goa

Also the Towns of Panaji and Mapusa both have colourful markets, as does Anjuna beach, which has a not to be missed flea market on a Wednesday