Kayak's Explore lets you search for flights originating from a terminal/airport of your choice to anywhere in the world at any time in the coming months, and shows you the best ticket rates on the map!

How's that for a rare pearl of wisdom?!
- passed on by Nick Gray

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ExoticGringo brings you THE ultimate, exhaustive list of things to do, to make the most of Goa.

Browse at leisure here, feel free to add in your own ideas in the Comments or e-mail us….


Ultimate 50 Things to do in Goa by ExoticGringo.com


1. Catch live bands performing at local cafes and bars

2. Enjoy a Dolphin spotting boat ride at Palolem beach 

3. Try some Water Sports at Baga / Colva / Palolem beach 

4. Pack a picnic and spend the day at Chapora Fort

5. Master T’ai Chi or Yoga at Arambol

6.  Karaoke the sunset away, at shacks on Baga beach

7. Try your luck at a Casino on board a ship / around Baga

8. Go paragliding at Anjuna or Arambol

9. Get that tattoo you’ve always wanted. Henna tattoo for the safe playing

10. Walk stray dogs as a volunteer with International Animal Rescue

11. Watch Olive Ridley turtles hatch at Morjim / Galgibaga beach (Dec-Feb)

12. Visit the Flea Market – Wed. at Anjuna / Sat. Nite at Arpora

13. Pose by the Shiva rock carving at Vagator beach

14. Get a relaxing massage

15. Take part in the Carnival in Feb / Shigmo + Holi in March

16.  Shop for cashew nuts, feni and bebinca at Mapusa or Panaji

17.  Get a bikini wax

18. Experiment! – Get your hair braided or get dread locks

19.  Watch a spectacular sunset at Palolem beach

20. Get a dental or skin makeover clinics around Baga and Calangute

21. Take Scuba Diving lessons in Dona Paula / Baga

22. Go fishing!

23. Go Rock climbing and trekking around Aguada, Chapora & Arambol

24. Visit the Spice Village and try a local meal

25. Bathe in a grand waterfall at Dudh Sagar

26. Take boxing lessons at the Tiger Boxing Academy in Chapora

27. Have Sex on The Beach, Orgasm, Lick my Peach … and such cocktails at Baga

28. Rent a Kayak or Sailboat at the serene Palolem beach

29. Learn to Juggle at Mandrem beach (InJuCo happens in Feb every year)

30. Take a cruise by the Mandovi river at Panaji 

31. Visit the old churches and museums at Velha Goa– the route is very scenic!

32. Contribute to Urban Graffiti around Goa

33. Go Bird Watching (the actual birds, not hot bods!) at Cotigao and Bondla sanctuary

34. Rent a motorbike or a bicycle and go beach combing

35. Participate in a  Geo caching event or a Photowalk

36. Walk the picturesque coastline from Agonda to Talpona 

37. Catch a movie with your meal at shacks at Anjuna/Vagator/Baga/Palolem

38. Go on the adventurous Backwater Crocodile Dundee trip


39.  Sun bathe while reading a book at Arambol, Baga, Agonda and Mandrem beach

40. Go Beer, Whiskey or Wine trailing

41. Mingle with the ad fraternity at GoaFest or film folks at IFFI

42. Swim in a sweet water lake overlooking Dolphin Beach at Arambol

43. Dance to Bollywod tunes at clubs along the Baga beach stretch

44. Ogle at Dr. Vijay Mallya’s Kingfisher Villa at Siquerim

45. Go star gazing atop Chapora Fort or just lying down at the beach

46. Beach hop using the sea route...

47. Wake up early for a beach stroll and pick up the fresh catch of local fishermen

48. Stay in a natural hut on the beach at Arambol/Mandrem/Palolem/Agonda

49. Try the bebinca, sorpotel, goan sausages, balchao and xacuti!

50. Relax. Do NOTHING …  Welcome to Goa!

Did we miss something terrific? We’d love to hear from you and possibly create a fresher version in the near future – so drop in your thoughts here, anytime!

Speaking of Goa and PDFs, you may also want to check out another one by HolidayIQ

Compiled by: Tinaz Daruwala + Kaushal Karkhanis

Photo Credits: Kaushal, Sudi, Tinaz

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Photo Credits: (via Flickr) - Melissa Vossler

Backpackers, honeymooners, group travelers – whatever travel profile you fit into, you could surely benefit from some savings while traveling, right? When we’re advocating frugality while traveling, we do NOT want you to compromise on the important and fun things – far from it! Instead, here’s some smart tips that would ensure you have your cake and eat it too…

1. Resort v/s Guesthouse or Bed & Breakfast.
Scout for convenient low cost accommodations that offer basic facilities minus the frills. If you’re comfortable living with strangers / families, you could also consider CouchSurfing

2. Set a 'not to exceed' daily budget – keep room for extra expenses, but follow it diligently. Additionally, carry only enough cash for the day especially when you'll be going clubbing. You could even leave back your cards, so you don’t overspend or risk losing it/forgetting it!

3. Expense Tracker – Keep a tab on your daily expenses to avoid going over budget.
It will also help you evaluate where you could possibly cut down your spending on

4. Walk around short distances … or ride a bicycle.
Added benefits: You could also use the exercise ;) plus you don’t harm the environment!

5. Use local commute like state bus / auto rickshaw / trains or metro for distances that cannot be covered on foot. They are equally comfortable and comparatively cheaper to taxi rides. Plus, you’ll also feel a part of the city and experience the real ‘pulse’ of things!

6. Scout for best deals before settling - that applies for travel and accommodation. Hey, you could actually land up with some stuff you never expected… like complimentary WiFi or even meals included!

7. If staying in a guest house, have at least 1 meal at home.
Stock up on eggs, cereal, milk, tea / coffee and other very basic things you'll need

8. Do your own laundry whenever possible to avoid fat dry cleaning bills. Don’t go overboard though, you don’t want to miss out on the real fun and travel you signed up for!

9. Explore coffee shops / hangouts that offer free Wi-Fi connectivity - usually, internet comes at a cost premium across cafes in most tourist hotspots. But please don’t be a cheapskate and buy something from them :)

10. Plan your travel itinerary to ensure you do not do things that unexpectedly pinch your wallet! Ad hoc activities also come with unexpected or unaccounted for expenses. Weigh activities that you absolutely must do and things that can be eliminated, on a priority scale.

Of course you should do that occasional spur-of-the-moment bungee jump or horse ride when you really want to – but there will be a lot of other times you’d be glad you had some top level plans at least! Read More »

I can't stress enough how important and rewarding it is, to be able to speak and understand the local language when you're traveling to a new destination. You don't have to get a master's degree in a new language, but even some basic knowledge and phrases will go a long way!

For starters, you will be well received.
The locals would appreciate that you're at least making an effort to fit into their culture even as a tourist / traveler.

+ You'll be able to understand, and enjoy the cities and people better.
You might even earn yourself a complimentary beer from a stranger - yes, that's experience speaking! :)

So go ahead and brush up your phrases.
Pick up a phrasebook from your local book store of course - but let's get you a great head start...

* Free language guides by Intrepid Travel

* Mango Languages

* Benny Lewis' Fluent in 3 Months blog

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Planning your big trip and exploring a new country soon?

You will definitely be meeting a lot of new people, from a totally new place,
who would be eager to meet you too - why not exchange cultures, through music?


So don't forget to pack your MP3 player, but wait!

Get yourself one which can do FM radio also!

Either a player or a phone which supports radio.

Anything, as long as it's got FM radio.

It's incredible fun to be able to tune in to local radio stations on your loyal music/radio player. You never miss the latest music locally, the news if you are inclined - and of course, all the local must-know things.

Trust, me you'll be glad you packed that radio with you.

It's a trusted companion, especially on long bus/train journeys.

And the best part is, the music is always fresh and different!

Featured above: Sony ICF-S10MK2 Pocket AM/FM Radio, Silver ($ 9.99)

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