Calangute - Kori Gill x. Date of travel: Jan 2008
Goa is the best place in the world! X

Overrated - MB. Date of travel: Nov 2007
Goa is the most overrated holiday destination I have ever visited. The people want your money so bad they'll tell you anything (the taxi drivers drive you insane) and when I saw Dominoes Pizza and Subway, I thought I was in Manchester. The beach at night is completely full of rubbish and full of dodgy people.

Wonderful Goa - M&J. Date of travel: Mar 2007
The people in Goa are very friendly and although it seems everyone is in a rush, they are really very laid back and will spend time to talk. We've done the crocodile trip, the markets etc and would recommend them. As has been said before, don't be afraid to barter, the sellers love the banter and it's a good laugh, the seller will be happy 'cos they've made some money and you'll be happy 'cos you've got a bargain. We're going back on holiday to Goa for a third time and looking forward to it. We've made lots of friends there and it feels like our 2nd home. ENJOY YOUR HOLIDAY TO GOA!

Goa - Alan Duncan. Date of travel: Jan 2007
This was our fifth visit to Goa but the first long-time stay there. We had a great time and loved Candolim. Great places to eat are Gatto Loco (attached to Sol Areia Resort in the centre of Candolim), Floyds (NOT Floyd's hut), Alexandra's and Inferno on Beach Road, The Mermaid, Cecilias and Casa Sea Shell. The rest are OK but those named above really stick out in our minds. A great place for coffee is the Gazebo (ask for Lancaster) and Cinnebar by Akron Arcade. Sweet Art is a delightful place to go to get savoury and sweet snacks. The best beach shack by far is Tidal Wave: their food is not only excellent it is also extremely safe (ask Leo for his "Very, very special Chicken/Prawn Fried Rice". Fern's, Casa Manik and Lewande are all really useful mini supermarkets. The handbag lady opposite Floyd's hut is great to deal with and very honest. Armani Tailors do a good job but aren't the cheapest. Sify Iway is great for email.

Fantastic resturants - Peter and Carol. Date of travel: Nov 2006
There were fantastic resturants in Goa especially After 7, When East meets West and Redonda in the centre of Calangute. Best trip is going on the Jungle Trip; go with the reps because you get to see more. It isn't really a place to take children and is mainly for couples, I would definately recommend this a holiday in Goa.

Children Walking Tall was the highlight! - Ian Hewitt. Date of travel: Mar 2006
I have been traveling to Goa for the last 5 years and especially over the last three years it has changed so much. Don't get me wrong it's a lovely place but I think too many people are now coming (so sshhhh - don't tell anyone!). Places like Calangute especially is just turning into Blackpool. OK, Blackpool is nice if you want to go to Blackpool, but I want to visit Goa. OK, if you go further a field it's not so bad, as you can go further north towards Morjim and even south and it's much quieter. My favourite place was (and still is I guess) Palolim, as it used to be the home for back packers and those who just wanted to get away. Now even more 'average joes' can be found there, they now have deluxe cocohuts with onsuite bathrooms... Who needs a cocohut with ensuite! - It ruins the experience of sharing a dodgy little shower and toilet! :os One of the highlights of the journey was visiting one of the charities there - Children Walking Tall we got to visit 'the Mango House' and also take fruit and (with help) give it out to the children in their slum school. The children seemed so grateful and it was a lovely day, look them up if you're in the area.... here's their website - www.childrenwalkingtall.com So, for me Goa has lost a little something, but it's a lovely place to visit... I'd go before prices soar... I can't even buy a 20 Rs/- bottle of coke in Calanagute for 20 Rs/- (due to the local shop keepers milking it!)

Goan fun for everyone - Tony and Tina Butterworth. Date of travel: Feb 2006
Once you learn the rules of Goa you will find a wonderful and diverse country which is good value for money. Taxi drivers, beware of them: they prey on tourists and try to inflate prices, always barter. You can get a driver for approximately 600Rs for the day depending on distance travelled. The one I quote is from Marriott to Baga and yes the driver waits for you. Your taxi driver will always want to show you a shop or market; this can be frustrating but they actually gain vouchers from the shops. Indulge the driver : you can be in and out of the shops in no time and it helps the driver. Try a trip to the waterfalls, spice gardens and the churches of Old Goa. This you can do via taxi in the day. I will leave you to negotiate the price with your driver. The waterfalls have a charge of 300Rs per person via jeep then 20Rs per person to enter national park and 30Rs for your camera. The spice gardens have an entry fee of 300 Rs per person. The education and food are worth the fee. Always set prices with Taxi drivers before you travel, but do get out and about in Goa. You will find wonderful food and drink; you will also see some fantastic scenery; and some sights that may leave you with your mouth open. Remember the majority of people here are on low wages and you will be approached by beggars and beach sellers. You need to barter in Goa and this becomes good fun as the prices start to tumble. Take sweets and pencils, these can be given to the beggars, who are mainly children. The roads in Goa are very busy I personally would not hire a bike or car as the roads can be dangerous. We saw a couple of nasty crashes. Goa is a place I recommend: there is something for everyone. Quiet and relaxing to fast and frenetic. I give Goa 8 out of 10. Keep away from Monarch airlines unless you can upgrade: cattle carriage, food and service awful, plane not set up for length of flight. Tour Operator: Cosmos

Wonderful - Vanessa Shirley. Date of travel: Nov 2005
Loved every minute of the holiday, it was such good value for money, people really and friendly, great choice of eating out - would not recommend a/i as the choice of eating out is so good and cheap. The accommodation was basic but superbly placed; the beach was a short stroll from the hotel. Would recommend to go over the next few years before it gets too commercial in the north, south Goa is still very quiet. Tour Operator: Jewel in the Crown

Carol Ball. Date of travel: Nov 2005
The resort was absolutely fab, good mix of age groups. The resort was lively and colourful and there was a wide choice of places to eat out. The bars were well stocked and the prices were really cheap. approx £2-4 for a two course meal with drinks. Only thing that was pricey was wine or imported spirits. No discos in Cavelossum but we heard there are some not far away. Beaches were white sands and the beach shacks offered excellent value for money. Beach hawkers were present but not too intrusive. Loads of fresh fruit and souviners on beach. Massage was available on the beach........ (oil & Sand???? not always a good mix) Loads of excursions available locally (so dont book with the reps, they are three times the price). We visited the elephants for around 500 rupees. Boat trips were good value at Bettys place. Not much for very young children. Not really suitable for people who have walking problems. Tour Operator: Going places

Willam Jones, Sheila Jones. Date of travel: Jun 2005
We have been to Goa many times and we have found that Benaulim Beach is one of the nicest beaches in Goa. Admittedly the village is quite, but there are some fine restaurants and beach shacks where you can eat. For more lively night life you can always visit Colva about 10 minutes in a taxi. We prefer the quite life and just want to chill out on holiday. Tour Operator: travelpack

Ben Lovett. Date of travel: Nov 2004
We travelled to Goa in November and stayed in the resort of Calangute. It is a busy resort with plenty of shops and very good restaurants. November/December is a good time to travel to Goa as the whether is hot but not humid. The people are very friendly and food very good quality and excellent value. I would reccomend Goa to anyone who wants to go away, relax and unwind. Tour Operator: Jewel in the Crowne

jill buddery. Date of travel: Nov 2003
Travelled to Goa in Nov 2003. Wasn't sure what to expect on arrival! It was a bit of a culture shock however once your'e settled in resort..we stayed in candolim...you think you're in heaven! it is so chilled and relaxing, friendly, cheap and the beaches are perfect. Everything you want from a holiday and what you've saved your hard earned money all year for!! b&b is ideal. go all-inclusive and you will most certainly be wasting your money..the food is so cheap and cooked from fresh ingredients! nov-dec are the best times to travel when it is not so humid..i am returning to candolim in nov..i can't wait!!