Top 5 Hotels in North Goa

Think Goa! Now think North Goa! Any difference?

Perhaps, for many of us, Goa and North Goa are synonymous. All you need is a bunch of friends or family and a smart phone with an 8 mega pixel camera and you are ready to let yourself loose in the party capital of India.

But to experience Goa in its true sense, it’s a good idea to stay in a hotel that’s right in the middle of bustling North Goa. Better still, close to the beach. If it seems like a Herculean task to you, I’m going to make it extremely easy for you. Here’s a list of Top 5 Hotels in North Goa. Take your pick!

1. Country Inn & Suites by Carlson

Belonging to a chain of hotels, Country Inn & Suites by Carlson is conveniently located near the Candolim beach. Built in traditional Portuguese architecture, wooden settings and a modern décor sets this beautiful property apart from others. If you want a room overlooking the pool, you can choose to book the Superior room. The hotel offers an ideal stay for honeymooners and business travellers equally.

Try out the barbeque at the hotel’s Poolside Bar-B-Que Grill & Island Bar while sipping on your favourite cocktail. Also, tantalize your taste buds with grilled crab in peri peri sauce. Soothe your senses and feel pampered at the Revive Spa and enjoy a comfortable stay at this 4-star property.

2. Lagoa Azul Resort

Located a few minutes from the vibrant Baga, Calangute and Anjuna beaches, this tranquil 3 star property is just the right place for you to park yourself in North Goa. Nestled near the blue lagoon waters, the resort is ideal for a couple or family. Although you have the inviting beaches nearby, you might want to venture into the resort’s own swimming pool while your kids splash about in the waters of the toddlers’ pool.

And now for the tummy! Appease your taste buds with steak that will melt in your mouth at the Tabla Restaurant overlooking the Baga River. If you are a music lover, you might be lucky to check-in on a day when traditional theme nights are organised with live bands performing.

3. Ocean Palms Goa

Modern interiors and an elegant style, the 4 star Ocean Palms Goa hotel offers a fresh vibe as you check-in. The hotel’s location is fantastic with popular North Goa beaches like Baga, Calangute and Anjuna being a 5-minute walk. Feel at home in spacious rooms with large windows while enjoying a drink with your partner. Why not? You have a minibar in your room.

Foodie, are you? Pick on the buffet spread of European and Indian delicacies at the in-house restaurant, Nautilus or chill out with your friends and family at the Beachcombers Lounge. Chicken sausages and Tandori pomfret prepared by the chef are a must-try. With stellar room service and surprises in the form of beautiful towel designs in your room every day, Ocean Palms Goa will give you the sense of being a valued customer.

4. La Gulls Court

Think sunset, blue azure waters of the swimming pool, aromatic coffee and a lovely companion. Located close to the Mapusa Market and the Vagator beach, start your holiday by checking in to the La Gulls Court.

Enjoy local Goan cuisine at the hotel’s terrace restaurant called Bird’s Flight or go pubbing at either of the hotel’s bars: Vultures and Seagull. If you’re an adrenaline junkie, you can indulge in adventure sports like trekking, diving, go karting or parasailing that the hotel’s tour desk will happily arrange for you. Overall, look forward to a comfortable stay, awesome dining options and close proximity to the popular beaches at La Gulls Court.

5. Ginger Tree Village

Low on budget, travelling with your gang of college friends and want to stay in North Goa? Well, Ginger Tree Village of the Ginger Tree Group is an ideal choice suiting your purpose and pocket. Lush green surroundings and a few minutes away from the bustling beaches, this hotel is a good value for money option.

Moreover, there are a variety of rooms to choose from. You may book a villa or a penthouse if you are travelling in a group or go for the standard rooms if travelling alone or with a partner. Look forward to a friendly environment and great service.

Although I’ve tried to make your task easier, you might want to plan your trip in advance for better deals. Or if you are an “I-make-spontaneous-plans” person, then last minute deals on MakeMyTrip.com will get you the best discounts.

Go Goa!

By Bhawna Grover

On the Buddhist Trail in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is home to some of the world’s most spectacular Buddhist monuments and historical sites. As a temple enthusiast, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to tour through the ancient cities as I sought to unlock the secrets of a time gone by. I visited Sri Lanka earlier this year on a family holiday and found it to be both enlightening and spiritual in so many different ways.

The beautiful temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is tucked in the corner of the lake in the town of Kandy

The first stop on our Buddhist trail was the beautiful town of Kandy. Kandy hosts one of the most famous Buddhist relics, the Sacred Tooth Relic. Legend has it that it was saved from Buddha’s funeral pyre and has travelled a long path to finally settle here. The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is located in a quiet corner of the lake and is one of the biggest Buddhist pilgrimage sites.

This stunning lakeside town was also the last capital of the Sinhala kings, and is worth spending some time just wandering through the streets or taking a stroll around the peaceful lake. Surrounded by the cool water and verdant mountains, Kandy is simply idyllic.

Visitors are left amazed at the site of the large golden statue of Buddha at the foothills of Dambulla Caves

A few hours from Kandy, we ambled through scenic tea plantations to reach the dusty town of Dambulla. As we entered the town, it was hard to miss the entrance to the Cave Temples, guarded by a huge gold statue of Buddha that marks the way up the hill. With almost 2000 years of history, these five caves contain some of the most important Buddhist murals and statues. This makes the rather steep climb up to the caves worth the visit.

We stayed near Kandalama, located on a peaceful lake, dined by the waterside and woke up to the sound of birds chirping. It didn’t take long for our aching muscles to forget the steep climb and settle into relaxation. Thankfully so, considering we didn’t realize exactly what was ahead of us the next day.

Sigiriya has been named as one of the Wonders of the World and this massive rock is nearly 200 metres high

The next morning we headed to Sigiriya, a short drive from Dambulla. Famed as the sacred rock that was once overseen by a lion, all that remains now is the lion’s paw, but its sheer size indicates the grandeur that was once here. A rather harrowing climb up to the summit, was thankfully broken up with some beautiful frescoes and viewpoints overlooking the lush environment. 

Ancient ruins of the second capital of Sri Lanka, Polonnaruwa

We took a day trip from here to visit the ancient ruins of Polonnaruwa, which despite the threatening rain, still remains one of the highlights of the trip. This ancient city was the second royal capital and has some impressive ruins that will transport you to this 12^th century town. The spectacular carvings of the Lankatilaka and Gal Vihara had us gazing in amazement at how they came to be created.

The final stop on our Buddhist trail was the most important royal capital, Anuradhapura. From the dominating white dome of the Ruvanvelisaya Dagoba to the peaceful Samadhi Buddha, there is plenty to discover in this beautiful old town. The nearby town of Mihintale makes a good day trip from here, but we were enjoying seeing the sites of Anuradhapura so much that we opted to take our time and just enjoy this lovely town.

Samadhi Buddha is one Anuradhapura's many famous landmarks

Whilst the trail is over, the memory of the journey stays with me. It has left me with a longing to return to Sri Lanka and discover more temples and Buddhist sites that are buried deep within her center.

Want to find yourself on this spiritual trail? MakeMyTrip offers flights and packages to Sri Lanka.

Top 5 Adventure Activities in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka isn’t necessarily the first country that you think of when you want to plan an adventure packed holiday, but don’t let that dissuade you as there are plenty of thrilling experiences for adrenaline junkies on this beautiful island.

Sri Lanka's natural beauty will leave you enthralled

Here’s a list of the top 5 adventure activities in Sri Lanka:

1. White Water Rafting

What could be more thrilling than succumbing to the power of a mighty river and going along with its flow? The small town of Kitulgala, just south of Kandy, is the gateway to the rapids of the Kelaniya Ganga, where adrenaline junkies can ride the waves of this fierce river. White water rafting here is great for both beginners and the experienced rafter alike. However if rafting is not for you, there are also some lovely jungle hikes and bird watching excursions in this lush area as well.

2. Surfing

Sri Lanka is renowned for having some fabulous surf beaches, and the best one is Midigama, located past Galle in the south of the Island. With sandy beaches that stretch out for miles, you can lie back and watch others try their hand at the waves or get out there and ride a few yourself. With several reefs that make the waves jump high, the water here is for experienced surfers only. Try your hand at navigating The Lazy Left, a local wave that angles to the left as it glides past some rocks.

3. Sea Plane Tour

As an island nation, Sri Lanka has some incredible seaside scenery as well as lush inland jungles. A great way to see the breadth of the magnificent landscape is to take a Sea Plane Tour. These “flying boats” land on lagoons, reservoirs and lakes giving you a unique adrenaline rush on water. Some of the best Sea Plane tours take you from west to east and back again, viewing magnificent landmarks such as Sigiriya from air, and touching the sea on both sides. Fly Sri Lanka has several scenic Sea Plane tours starting at Kelaniya, just near Colombo.

4. Diving

Nothing takes you into the depths of another world better than deep sea diving.  It is here that you can explore the secret life of the marine world or weave through the mysteries contained in a shipwreck that has sunk to the ocean floor. One of the best places for diving is off the coast of Hikkaduwa, a popular coastal town on the South East Coast.  Here you can learn to dive, get your PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) certification or go on advanced dives if you already have plenty of experience.

5. Hot Air Balloon Ride

The exhilarating feeling of riding high above the clouds in a hot air balloon is certainly on the bucket list of all adrenaline junkies. From this unique vantage point you can watch wildlife from afar, have an unfettered view of the lush flora and jungles, and glide above Sri Lanka’s sweeping coastlines. Fly Sri Lanka also offers tours that take you above some of the famous Buddhist and cultural sites, so you can see some of the ancient cities from a unique viewpoint.

Ready to get your adrenaline pumping? MakeMyTrip offers flights and packages to Sri Lanka.

Top 5 Hotels at Baga Beach, Goa

One of the most popular beaches in North Goa, Baga is a tourist magnet. Lined with resorts, shacks and fishing boats, Baga beach is a swinging party most of the time. The beach gets its name from the Baga creek. There are several water sports for adventure junkies such as parasailing, speed boats and banana rides. However, be sure to haggle a bit with the vendors to get the best price. Baga is great for dolphin spotting and you can see these adorable mammals just 1 or 2 kilometres off the beach; so don’t miss out on a dolphin cruise. Last but not the least, the bustling Saturday night bazaar at the beach is a great place to pick up some awesome bargains.

Baga beach is famous for its Dolphin Cruises

Being a popular beach, Baga offers some great options to stay at in North Goa. Here’s our pick of the top 5 hotels at Baga beach. And don’t forget to check out MakeMyTrip’s last minute deals to get the best rates.

1. Lazy Lagoon Sarovar Portico Suites

A part of the Sarovar Group of Hotels, Lazy Lagoon Suites is walking distance from Baga beach. The rooms are very spacious and the attached terrace overlooks the lagoon. The staff is very courteous and helpful, and will make sure you have a comfortable stay. The hotel’s poolside restaurant, Balcao serves authentic Goan food as well as Indian and Continental fare. You can relax at the gazebo bar Tavern or the lounge bar Ola, both of which offer a wide selection of beverages.

The rooms at Lazy Lagoon Suites overlook the peaceful lagoon

2. The Baga Marina

A 5-minute walk from Baga beach is The Baga Marina –winner of TripAdvisor’s 2012 Certificate of Excellence. The hotel offers accommodation to suit every budget. The lamb curry at their multi-cuisine restaurant Cafe Baga is worth trying out. The famous hangout joint, Tito’s is just a short walk away. Unwind at the pool or at Turquoise spa and soak in its ambience and luxury.

Unwind at the pool in The Baga Marina

3. 16 Degrees North

With a quiet location on the Baga riverfront, the quirkily named 16 Degrees North is one of the popular boutique hotels in North Goa. Its 16 suites are tastefully done up. The hotel is known for its warm hospitality and good food, especially the breakfast, which is generous and delicious. Or you can try out the famous Britto’s restaurant, which is just 500 metres from the hotel.

The Saturday Night Bazaar makes for a great outing for people of all age groups.Photo Credit: Ipshita Bhattacharya / flickr

4. Lagoa Azul Resort

Located near Baga river and overlooking a lagoon, Lagoa Azul Resort is an oasis of calm in North Goa. Most of the suites face one of the two pools at the resort and are spacious and well-appointed. The resort has several mango trees in its premises, which are laden with mangoes during summer. The restaurant, Tabla serves up a variety of cuisines, with a choice of steak and seafood for dinner. There are also ‘traditional nights’, complete with a live band and local specialties such as pork vindaloo, chicken xacuti and Goan sauasages.

Get your adrenaline pumping as you enjoy speed boating in the waters of Goa

5. Colonia Santa Maria

Colonia Santa Maria is one of the three-star hotels in Goa, which provide accommodation in Portuguese-style villas. The hotel has sprawling grounds, including a swimming pool, a football ground and a large lawn. The rooms are spacious and have their own balcony or terrace. Try booking one of the newer rooms, which are better equipped with modern facilities. The hotel serves up great food, or you can try the many other restaurants close by for authentic local fare.

Goa is well connected by air and train; book your flight or train tickets on MakeMyTrip.com for the best rates.

Bangalore Literature Festival: For Bookworms and Bibliophiles

Literary festivals are rapidly becoming a trend in India. Jaipur Literature Festival has already completed six successful sessions and while these fests are about book reading, discussions on writing, book launches and controversies, you cannot ignore that they are also an excellent way to spend a weekend in winters soaking the warmth of sun and attending some wonderful poetry reading sessions. Attracting students, professors, and all enthusiastic readers, Bangalore is the latest to join in the list of beautiful host cities of literary festivals in India.

The Jaipur Literature Festival is attended by many distinguished writers | Photo Credit: Kartikdhar / Wikimedia

Bangalore Literature Festival in 2012

December 7-9, 2012 saw the inaugural Bangalore Literature Festival in India’s IT city. It was three days of immense fun and humour when students, publishers, journalists and writers from all over the country flew to Bangalore for this unprecedented literary festival. Held at the beautiful Jayamahal Palace, every discussion left the attendees with deep insights on Indian writing in different languages and genres accompanied by several anecdotes that the authors were willing to share.

Of Books, Writers and More

‘Celebrity writers’ (I use this phrase because that’s how they were treated in Bangalore) like Shobhaa De, William Dalrymple, Chetan Bhagat, Gulzar, Sudeep Nagarkar, Tavleen Singh, Amish Tripathi and many more were constantly surrounded by their ‘fans’ who wanted to get their favourite books signed by the authors. Gulzar’s session on poetry ‘Have you seen the soul? - The Craft of Poetry’ was just the perfect experience on a pleasant winter day when the venue was flush with Gulmohar trees and the sun shining pleasantly. De and Dalrymple inaugurated their books Sethji and Return Of A King and talked at length about their experiences in Bangalore.

The who’s who of publishing giants like Random House, Harper Collins, Westland talked about the business of books in India and Shashi Despande, Jahanvi Barua, Tarquin Hall and Sunil Sethi discussed if ‘Fiction was losing its magic’. Mahesh Dattani and Ashish Sen got the audience completely hooked in the session ‘Stage of Life’. BLF also invited aspiring writers Aroon Raman and Sandeep Nagarkar to talk about their first books.

A special time slot for Kid’s Makkala Koota was also an important attraction of the festival. On the last day of the festival, students of Kalkeri Sangeet Vidyalaya impressed everyone with their beautiful rendition of Hindustani music. Even though in its first year, BLF made news with its path-breaking endeavours like Radiowalla, through which all the sessions at the festival were being broadcasted on radio and streamed online for any and everybody to listen to be a part of the festival.

The beautiful and bustling city of Bangalore now plays host to yet another delightful event, The Bangalore Literature Festival

BLF 2013: Save The Date

The three days of complete dedication to literature and culture of India has certainly made the festival a huge success and people are already waiting for the next BLF. With more panelists, book launches and themes, Bangalore Literature Festival 2013 is expected to be bigger and better. If you missed this cultural feast last year, mark the dates September 27-29, 2013 for that is when BLF returns. Even if you are a busy professional do take out time on this particular weekend and enjoy a rejuvenating retreat to the world of literature.

Make your travel comfortable and memorable with unlimited hotels in Bangalore only on MakeMyTrip.com!