The state of Goa in India, was a Portuguese colony until 1962, and is famous for its Indo-Portuguese culture and architecture. Goa's beaches reflect its colourful mosaic of history. The combination of the "sosegãdo" or laid back lifestyle, bracing weather and Goa's carnival-like nightlife has been known to lure many into a psychedelic trance.
For most of the people heading towards Goa, it is one long beach. But once they are there they realize this folly of them. Goa is a state though a small one and there is a large number of beaches, many towns and a good network of roads. It is a state of seven rivers and their estuaries, there are hills with lush green vegetation, and most of the tourists are needed to cover large distances to move from one place to other. Goa has a total coastline of 125 km and that makes people believe that it is a long big beach however illusionary it is.
Beaches of Goa are much ahead of other beaches in India in terms of popularity and the facilities that are available here. The beaches here have been accepted as a matter of life, there are exotic cuisine backing the pleasure of have on sun and sand, and water sports facilities that include from water scooters to water gliding. To add on you can shake your legs for some time with a glass of feni and beer, engaged in shopping on the beachside, or have midnight bonfire on the beach.
This Indian state of Goa has over 40 lovely beaches to boast about. These beaches are lined along the 131 km long coastline of Goa. Goa is one of India's special tourist places that can boast of fantastic weather, fabulous beaches, wonderful people, mouth-watering cuisine, forts. As far as accommodation in Goa is concerned, there is a plethora of choice before a tourist-right from five-star luxury Goan hotels to low-budget hotels in Goa which ensures to make your stay a memorable one

Goa is studded with temples and churches, which remain as silent but forceful witnesses to the intense religious history of the diverse people who lived here. Hence a pilgrimage to Goa is a unique experience. THa main aspects of these churches is its style of construction. MOst of the churches are constructed in the European styles.  The most comprehensive group of churches and cathedrals built during 16th to 17th century AD at Old Goa comprise of the following :
Se' Cathedral, Church and Convent of  St. Francis of Assisi, Chapel of St. Catherine, Basilica of Bom Jesus; Church of Lady of Rosary; Church of St. Augustine.

The Church of St. Cajetan is modelled on the original design of St. Peter's Church which is  in Rome. The Church of Bom Jesus with its facade decorated with Ionic, Doric and Corinthian pilasters, shows the application of the Classical order.The Se' Cathedral, with its Tuscan exterior, the Corinthian columns at its portals, the raised platform with steps leading to the entrance, the barrel-vault above the nave, is yet another example of Renaissance.

The paintings in and around the churches were done on wooden borders and fixed between panels having floral designs as in the chapels housing the tomb of St. Xavier, the arches above the altars in the transept of  the Se' Cathedral and in the nave on either side of the main altar in the Church of  St. Francis of Assisi. Excepting a few which are in stone, the statues are mostly in wood delicately carved and painted to adorn the altars. They depict mostly the saints, Mother Mary and Jesus on the cross.

Goa, variously known as "Pearl of the Orient" and a "Tourist Paradise", is located on the western coast of India in the coastal belt known as Konkan and is separated from Maharashtra by the Terekhol River in the North, Karnataka in the South, the Western Ghats in the east, and Arabian Sea in the west. Goa is located between the latitudes 15°48’00” North to 14°53’54” North and longitudes 74° 20'13" East to 73° 40'33" East The scenic beauty and the architectural splendours of its temples, churches and old houses have made Goa a a major destination for tourism in India. A glorious history richly preserved in churches, forts, traditional homes, villages and its cities. Spectacular pageantry. Colourful festivals. Warm and gracious people. Superb cuisine. Goa is one of India's most laid back, yet sophisticated and exciting , destinations. The beaches in Goa are another factor which attracts a lot of tourists to the land. There are a number of marvelous beaches in Goa, whereone can spent his vacations.  Goa is the ideal and right place to get the real fun of life.

Goa has a moderate temperature showing negligible variations in different seasons. May is the hottest month while January and February are the coldest. There is a prevalence of tropical weather rest of the year. Southwest Monsoon brings rain in Goa between June and September. July is the month that receives maximum rainfall while February gets least amount of rain.

Goa is a place for visiting any time of the year. But the time Goa reveals itself best would be the peak of monsoons from mid July to late September and peak winters from November end to mid February.