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When it comes to looking for the cities with the greatest five-star hotels, Goa is something to brag about. One of the smaller of India’s large cities, it is possible to claim a vacation here without the overwhelming hustle and bustle of the more crowded places. There is still the close proximity to the beach, as Goa sits on India’s west coast, and there are some wonderful natural habitats to visit, as it is rich in biodiversity. Its main source of income is tourism, and it fares considerably better than other cities in the region economically. This means a very stimulating and rejuvenating traveler’s experience.

Like the rest of India, there are hundreds of thousands of fascinating people who have lived here at one time or another. Considering it is one of longest continually-inhabited countries on the planet, the human record is long and remarkable. One interesting character from Goa is the former Director-General of Police Julio Francis Ribeiro . A bit of an enigma, this sturdy, tough-speaking agent of justice served a difficult post in very tumultuous times. He was in charge during the terrorist acts in the 1980s, and his leadership was uncompromising (according to his friends and enemies). Today, however, he has turned from fighting militants to fighting corruption.

In his new post, Julio Francis Ribeiro now serves in completely different capacities. No longer carrying a gun, which is a very important condition for any new work as far as he, and his wife, Melba, are concerned, he participates in radical community organization. So that one of the functions might be to mediate conversations between Muslim and Hindi girls after a local sewing workshop. This work is much less dangerous of course, but judging from the happiness exuding from the septigenarian’s frame, no less rewarding. He continues to work out of Mumbai, but maintains his home in his childhood Goa.

Each year thousands of visitors travel to Goa, the smallest state in India. Due to its location on India’s west coast, Goa is known for its beaches, sunsets, and ocean. While there are plenty of small, traditional villages, Goa is also home to modern cities and visitors will find a range of restaurants, shopping, and nightlife to balance out the hours spent on the sunny beaches. There is a wide range of lodgings available throughout the region, including a number of five star hotels in Goa.

The variety of Goa beaches is astounding. The more commercial beaches offer nightclubs, designer stores, spas, and even gyms. The most secluded ones seem to have never seen a human footprint. Not all beaches in Goa are safe for swimming, so make sure to do your research ahead of time. Most are named after the nearest village.

Water sports are popular at most beaches. windsurfing, jet skiing, speed boating, and parasailing are all popular. Some beaches offer opportunities to cycle along the coastline. Diving is especially popular in Goa, where the season runs from mid-October through mid-May. Diving isn’t possible between June and mid-October due to monsoon season. Dive sites can be found around Grande Island, near Vasco Da Gama and are usually twelve to sixteen meters deep. There is a teeming undersea world to attract divers, including soft and hard coral, shipwrecks, and a multitude of reef fish and other marine species. For a different look at life on the sea, check out the Naval Air Museum which features seven outdoor exhibits and a two-story building housing other models and memorabilia.

One of the more popular beaches in Goa is Palolem which is famous for its scenic views and gorgeous sunsets. Colva Beach is also a popular scenic destination. Anjuna Beach features the beautiful Albuquerque Mansion as is home to a weekly flea market. Calangute is known as the “Queen” of all Goan beaches and as a result tends to be extremely crowded during tourist season. Quieter beaches include Patnem Beach, Asvem Beach, and Morjim Beach. At Chapora Beach you’ll find the Chapora fort and a large fishing jetty. Other beaches include Mandrem, Vagator, and Baga beaches.