Still Under the Radar, Goa is a Vacation Spot Away From it All

If your idea of a great vacation is an idyllic beach setting, a gentle breeze and swaying palm trees - and without the typical crush of tourists that flock to such locations - then Goa, India may be the perfect vacation destination for you. The smallest state in India by area and the fourth smallest by population, Goa rests on the West coast of the country, in the region known as Konkan. It is India's richest state, with a per capita GDP that is more than two times that of the rest of the country. The result is a tourist destination that is perfect, without actually being too "touristy."

Goa is world-renowned for it beaches, which overlook the Arabian Sea, and also has a rich history and architecture that make it more than just a place for a beach vacation, if one so desires. For nature lovers, Goa is known as a "biodiversity hotspot," with a richness of flora and fauna that might have those seeking relaxation changing their minds about their itinerary once they arrive.

For an idea of the tourist numbers in Goa, consider that about two million people visited this part of India for vacation when the numbers were last totaled, with just over 350,000 coming from abroad. The result is that a vacation to Goa will not only leave the vacationer with a sense of wonder at the beaches and beauty of the Indian state, but also exposure to international culture that simply cannot be found in the more popular tropical hot spots.

The two primary tourist seasons in Goa are winter and summer. During the winter, there is typically an influx of visitors from abroad - most often Europe - who are fleeing the chilly climates that their home countries offer during the winter months. In the summer, which is the rainy season in Goa, most of the tourists that come to the area are from India. For those who may not be accustomed to torrential downpours or, more likely, don't envision "vacation" and "constant rain" working together in the same sentence, it is definitely better to visit Goa in the winter.

The history of Goa also plays into its status as a tourist destination. Ruled by the Portuguese for many years, the influence of the Portuguese culture is still heavily flet throughout the state. Among the most interesting places to visit include the Bom Jesus Basilica, the Velhas Conquistas region, which features rich Portuguese architecture and various forts that have remained, including Tiracol, Corjeum, Cabo de Rama and various others.

Goa also features a variety of museums, which can serve as a break from the beach while on vacation. The Goa State Museum and the Naval Aviation Museum may be of particular interest, and the Goa Science Center and National Instituted of Oceanography are other popular destinations. The rich and diverse religious history of Goa, which is teeming with various religious statues and icons, is another point of interest that tourist will want to take note of and, while sitting on the beach is probably one of the most popular activities for those traveling to Goa, the wide variety of activities, cultural points of interest and other things to do make it a great destination.