The month of May draws a firm line under the holiday season in Goa, with a change in the weather and the departure of what’s left of the overseas tourists.
However, in recent years more and more domestic tourists – ex-pats and Indians alike – especially from Delhi and Mumbai, are heading to Goa during the monsoon.
‘Lush’ is definitely the word. As the rains hit, the sea gets wild but the vegetation grows and grows and grows. Forget the beach, this is the other side of Goa and in some ways I must say I prefer it.
I’m pretty envious of our contributors that got to do the Goa hotel and villa visits, but collectively I think our team did a great job and we have some great rates and destinations, not just for the holiday season (Oct to April) but also for the coming months.
We have some more properties to add, villas in Goa especially; there are so many but only a few that we really think hit the mark.
In the meantime take a look at one of my favourites: Wildflower Villas. This place is really near Calangute and Baga but hidden away on a hillside; you’d never know that the tourist hub of Goa is on your doorstep.
The location:
An excellent place to be, with all the ‘action’ in nearby Candolim, Baga and Calangute; also a great base from which to explore Goa, just an hour from both the airport and Madgaon railway station. You’ll need a scooter or car but that really is the norm in Goa, scooter is best.
The food:
Largely Indian – and Goan in particular – prepared by local staff. Delicious fish, delicious seafood, some north Indian dishes and plenty of vegetarian options.
Rooms:
7 spacious, rustic, cool mini-villas with verandahs and surrounded by glorious nature. All rooms have satellite TV, A/C, a mini-bar and views of the countryside.
Eco credentials:
We love green properties and initiatives at Tripzuki, but we’re not naïve (or militant) about it. It’s really a struggle for most independent hotels to do much in this regard, and of course a lot comes down to having the surplus cash. Wildflower Villas, however, have to be applauded for their efforts. Owner Amol Navelkar has planted over 3000 trees in the last few years (that’s a lot of trees!!), and has built a hotel resort lovely place to stay that is so much more than the obtrusive concrete buildings just a few miles away.
What to do?
Chill, eat, drink, chill, get out and explore the back roads of green, green Goa. Take a camera!
