5 things to do in Goa in the month of December

Oh, Goa! Such an exciting, laidback, serene yet heady place. We are nearing the end of 2016, and if you are itching for a holiday to send off this year with a bang, you could do no better than Goa!

Book a December vacation to Goa for these reasons:

1. The beaches beckon. Goa has a little over 70 km of wondrous coastline, and scores of magnificent beaches. Book yourself into a luxurious beach side resort for an excellent start to your holiday. You will find your beach sojourns infused with new life if you stay at some of the best hotels in Goa. From there, you can take a walk on the beach, or enjoy some thrilling water sports or take a speedboat ride to go look at dolphins.
   
   
2. Spend Christmas in Old Goa. Goa is the place to be during Christmas – the State celebrates the festival with gusto and endless rounds of delicious food. Old Goa celebrates Christmas like no other place in India – there are revels all night long, from raves to family-oriented Carol singing and nativity scenes. Plus, beaches, houses and street fronts are decorated with pretty lights and five-pointed stars, thus adding to the cheer.
   
   
3. Saturday night live! Goa has a Saturday Night market at Arpora, which starts in November and tapers off by end of January. December is peak shopping activity at this market, that opens at 6 pm and closes in the early morning hours. You can shop for some amazing clothes, shoes and trinkets, while listening to live music, sampling some delicious food and strolling through the market with a beer bottle in hand.
   
   
4. Go camping on the beach. Camping is a major tourist puller in Goa, and you can set up base at one of the licensed camping sites on many of Goa’s beaches. The weather in December is perfect for camping, sleeping under the stars and a midnight bonfire. You can pitch your own tent, have a barbecue and fall asleep in blissful quiet and cool breezes.
   
   
5. Gorge on fantastic seafood. Goa is known for its wide range of seafood, and the best hotels in Goa serve up fresh catch every other day. The seafood in this part of the country is plump and succulent, and when seasoned with local spices and eaten fresh, it transports you to food heaven. You can actually take a seafood eating trip and sample such goodies as tuna, pomfret, squid, crabs and mackerel. You can even buy special Goan marinades and spices here to recreate the taste back home!

4 places for lip-smacking food in Gurgaon

We’re sure your visit to Gurgaon is always memorable, and we’re also sure that you go there on business, finish your job and head back home. If you stayed back for a bit, you would realise that there is much more to Gurgaon than just well-planned infrastructure and large office complexes.

For Gurgaon hides a secret – it is a haven for the famished! The city houses many excellent dining joints, but if you must have a list, here are our top 4 recommendations:

1 Zanotta, The Leela Ambience Gurgaon Hotel & Residences. Drop by at one of the best 5 star hotels in Gurgaon, The Leela for a wide array of dining options. We recommend this restaurant for many reasons, chief among them the soothing ambience, chefs preparing your food at interactive counters and semi-private dining sections for intimate celebrations. You cannot leave until you try the salt-crusted fish of the day, the chocolate pastry with sweet cream, smoked duck salad, and homemade burrata, among many other dishes.

2 Mamagoto. With its warm vibe, a stunning array of dishes and some great company, your trip to Mamagoto in Gurgaon is completely worth your while. The menu is quite inventive – try their water chestnut spring roll, Korean imported pork chops, raw papaya salad and glass noodles in hot broth. This restaurant is also good for a family meal.

3 Farzi Café. This café has been drawing hipsters and middle-aged daddies in equal measure with its palate cleansing food and fresh take on traditional favourites. Savour the Galouti burger or butter chicken bun, or go for roti/paratha with Malabari pyajo. Regulars also swear by its creative touches (the bill is presented inside a typewriter!) and friendly service.

4 Walking Street – Soi 7 Go to this place if you want to drink a home brewed Ko Samui Red – trust us, you will want to have more. But this place is a good visit when you’re out with friends and have a lot of time to kill – the vibe is relaxed, nobody is going to hustle you, and you can roll your drink around your tongue as much as you want. The food is good too – try their smoked mushrooms, pizzas and their famous chicken bomb. Plus, they play great music, too.