Moira is a great base for exploring Goa’s inland areas.

Both early mornings and evenings are wonderful occasions to walk in the village, which has an interesting mix of old Portuguese houses, emerald-green paddy fields, a cool modernist art gallery (The Cube) and traditional Goan homes. Aldona and Olailum are a few kilometres away and easily accessed by bicycles and scooters. There are also some fine bird-watching areas in these parts.

Panjim is a 30-minute drive away, ideal for shopping, eating, casino-hopping and sightseeing (the heritage district of Fountainhas is particularly recommended).

Further north, the bustling coastal towns and beaches of Calangute, Baga and Candolim are popular for their night-life and water-sports related acivities.

The cleanest, quietest beaches – Asvem, Morjim, Mandrem and Arambol – are far north, good for sunbathing, swimming and kite-surfing, but also, increasingly, for discovering an exciting new culinary scene led by chefs like Saleem Agha Bee (Sublime & Elevar) and Gome Galily (Matsya Freestyle Kitchen).