Family Holiday to Goa - What to Do In December
Family Holiday to Goa - What to Do In December
Located on the western coastline of India, Goa, the country’s smallest state, boasts 100 miles of shimmering golden sand beaches.
With clear all-year-round blue skies, splendid weather, the azure blue waters of the Arabian Sea, and a sexy beach town vibe, Goa is one of India’s most visited destinations and is regarded as its Party Capital.
But there is more to Goa than just wild rave parties and nightlife circuits, it is also a great place for a family holiday. Goa is a tropical beach paradise that is ideal for a family holiday.
December, a time of relaxation, holidays and family bonding is a great time to visit Goa. Rains tend to stay away, the sun is balmy, and temperatures range from 21 °C (69 °F) to 33 °C (91 °F).
The Sunburn Festival, Asia’s largest electronic music festival is held in Goa during this month.
December is also a time for Christmas and New Year celebrations with prayers, and events taking place in the old churches and cathedrals of the state.
Here is a list of things you can do in Goa, while having a luxury india tours in December with you family.
TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN GOA IN DECEMBER
- Check into a Beach-Front Villa
As one of India’s most cosmopolitan tourist hubs, Goa does get crowded and “touristy” with tens of thousands of visitors from all corners of the world.
But having a beach all to yourselves, and a quiet beach time with your loved ones is a recipe for a memorable experience of a lifetime.
Picture a golden sand beach, swaying palm trees, the shining Arabian Sea, and clear blue skies.
Could there be a more perfect family getaway?
- Explore Goa’s Heritage on a Walking Tour
Goa, India’s smallest and richest state, was a Portuguese trading enclave and colony until India’s independence in 1947—when it was formally merged into the Indian Union.
Due to its historical Portuguese legacy, Goa’s culture and heritage are a unique blend of Middle-Age-Europe-Meets-Old-World-Hindustan.
“Velha Goa,” or the old city center of Goa is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to an array of stunning landmarks and buildings that date back some 400-500 years.
The 500-year-old Chapora Fort, built by the Portuguese, is one of the city’s top attractions.
It is recommended to take a Walking Heritage Tour with an able and informed guide. It is a fun day out, and a tremendous learning experience all the same.
- Venture Out into the Arabia Sea on a Yacht
The Arabian Sea is a pure delight. In December, the waves are perfect for a yacht or Catamaran trip.
Lovely blue water, clear blue skies, and gentle breezes make up an ideal backdrop for a family trip to the sea.
Witnessing a sunset in the middle of the mystical Arabian Sea is an experience out of One Thousand and One Nights.
- Plan a Family Picnic at a Secluded Beach
Snuggled away from the noise and common of Goa’s most popular beaches like Calangute, Palolem, and Baga, are some off-beat secluded beaches (Singquerem, Agonda, and Ashwem), where you can plan a quiet family picnic.
- Try Traditional Goan Cuisine
Some five centuries of cultural exchange between the Portuguese and the Indian people have resulted in the emergence of one of India’s finest cuisines.
You try the following Goan dishes:
- Fish Curry Rice: This fish and rice combo is prepared in a coconut curry. Fish like pomfret, mackerel, or kingfish are usually used to prepare this dish.
- Pork Vindaloo: Marinated Pork meat prepared in a paste of vinegar, red chilies, and an assortment of traditional Goan spices.
- Prawn Balchao: Marinated chicken prepared in a paste of mint, coriander, and other spices.
- Take a Bike Tour of the Goa
Another fun activity you can plan out with your family is a bike tour of the city. We recommend that you check out the following important landmarks of Goa:
- Basilica of Bom Jesus: A UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Konkan region. Completed in 1605, this Basilica is one of the “Seven Wonders of Portuguese Origin of the World” and is regarded as a great exhibition of Portuguese architecture.
- Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church: Located in Panjim goa, this Baroque-styled church was built in 1541 in a shiny white architectural design.
- Se Cathedral or the Se Catedral de Santa Catarina is a Latin Archdiocese of Goa and Daman and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was built in 1619 AD.
- Cabo De Rama Fort: Built in the 1760s on the top of a hill that overlooks Colva Beach, the Cabo De Rama was captured by the Portuguese from the Raja of Soonda.
- Church of St. Francis of Assisi: Established in 1517 by the Portuguese, this Church is one of the earliest churches built by the Europeans in this part of India.
- Dudhsagar Falls: Translated as “Sea of Milk,” the Dudhsagar is a stunning-looking 4-tiered waterfall located in the Mandovi River (on the Vasco De Gama-Belgaum trail route).
- A Day in the Villages: Explore the Goan Country Side on a Bike Tour
There is a quaint old-fashioned and very traditional Goa that residents in its tiny villages and hamlets in the countryside of Goa. We highly recommend a bike tour of the countryside.
The Goan countryside is a picturesque backdrop of quaint churches, mosques, temples, and traditional architecture.
- Kayak in the Mangroves
Goa is not just about its beaches. The backwaters in the hinterland are just as enticing.
Its biodiverse mangroves teem with hundreds of species of birds, reptiles, fish, and other marine life.
The mangroves are generally tranquil in December. Exploring them aboard a kayak is an excellent idea.
- Museum Tour
Planning a day out with your family to explore museums of a new destination is a fun learning experience for the younger ones.
We recommend that you check Goa’s main museums like the Museum of Goa, the Houses of Goa Museum, and the Museum of Christian Art.
For offbeat museum options that the kids will surely enjoy, you can check out the Bigfoot Museum, Ashvek Vintage Car Museums, and the Naval Aviation Museum.
- An Organic Farm-to-Table Food Experience With the Family
Goa is a major producer of exotic spices, herbs, and plants like coriander, nutmeg, betel nut, cardamom, cloves, papaya, cashew, vanilla, and cinnamon.
A Spice Plantation Tour is one of Goa’s most enjoyable family-oriented experiences.
It usually comprises a thorough tour of the plantation where you learn about how spices and herbs are grown and harvested; followed by a cooking lesson using fresh farm-to-table ingredients that you select.