Beautiful Goa, India

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Beautiful Goa, the smallest state in India, has been on my bucket list for quite some time.  The southern Indian destination has a unique, Portuguese-influenced culture, and is home to beautiful beaches, epic raves, and a friendly backpackers’ scene.

With India being such a culturally rich and increasingly accessible destination, it’s no surprise that all kinds of travelers will be planning holidays to India .  The 2010 Commonwealth Games will be taking place in Delhi next month, drawing travelers from all around the world, and this year’s Games has been making headlines for their environmental sustainability.

If you’re attending the Commonwealth Games, you know what you’re getting into – an exciting, wild, nonstop celebration!  But if you’d rather head south to glorious beaches in a slow, peaceful atmosphere – plus the occasional all-night party, of course – choose Goa.

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October is the start of the cooler season in India, which makes it one of the best times of year to visit Goa.  After visiting the most popular tourist destinations in Rajasthan, like the Taj Mahal in Agra or the Palace of the Winds in Jaipur, Goa provides a respite from the dusty chaos of the desert.

Goa was the site of a Portuguese outpost for 500 years, and the influence of the Portuguese settlers can be seen everywhere from cuisine to fashion, art and architecture. And while backpackers’ parties were once the premiere attraction, Goa holidays have become increasingly popular with tourists of all ages.

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If you go, don’t miss the churches of Old Goa, which are among the largest and most beautiful in Asia.

Goa is easily reached by India’s excellent rail system or by direct flights on budget airlines from Delhi, Mumbai and beyond!

This post was sponsored by TravelSoon.