MARGAO CITY

Take a trip to the Church of Holy Spirit built in 1564 over the ruins of a Hindu temple. Walk along the beautiful 18th century houses such as Joao De Figuereido house – having splendid collection of antique Goan furniture and the De Silva’s house – an impressive mansion built in 1790 having a façade with a roof once made up of 7 gables known as “Saat Burzan Ghor”. The owners demolished four gables since maintenance costs were too high.

There are buses and taxis and motorcycle pilots who can take you to beaches like Majorda, Colva, Betalbatim, Colva, Benaulim, Varca are closer to Margao, if you wish to go further afield, you have the entire south Goa coastal belt at your disposal.

The Menezes Braganza House at Chandor with its treasures and antiques affords one a glimpse of the levels of gracious living prevailing in Goa in days gone by.As does the elegant heritage home of ace cartoonist Mario Miranda and his wife Habiba, at Loutolim. While at Loutolim, don’t forget to keep at least half a day free to explore Ancestral Goa.

A visit to the market greets you with a riot of colours and a very Goan experience of a lifetime. The market place has variety of shops, textiles, handicrafts and readymade garments.

And then there’s the mad bustle of the city itself, walk to the green centre of the Municipal Garden and suddenly, even though the movement of vehicles and humanity continues unabated, you are enveloped in silence broken only by the chirping of little birds.