Help for 60 yr olds first India trip-to Goa or not?
Aug 26th, 2011, 05:31 PM
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Help for 60 yr olds first India trip-to Goa or not?
My partner and I plan to go on Intrepid Classic Rajasthan tour early january and then have 6 days after. Had thought about Goa but not being real beach lovers and reading it is crowded can anyone suggest another place to have a quieter few days. Would Kerala be better for us?? We have travelled quite a lot but decided to try a tour to save hassles. So either recommendations of quiet place to stay in goa with more to look at or somewhere else that would not be too time consuming to get to would be really appreciated. I have to book asap!
Aug 26th, 2011, 08:54 PM
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If a beach is not what you want then I suggest Kerala. A couple of days on a houseboat in the Backwaters and then some time at an ayurvedic resort is how I spent part of my time in Kerala and I enjoyed both very much. The houseboat was arranged by my guesthouse, any in the area can arrange a trip.
This is the resort that came recommended by a friend who's a guide in India:
http://ayurvedatravelmall.com/manaltheeramresort.html
It was hugely relaxing, on the water so the constant sound of the waves. The food was good and massages great. I recommend it.
This is the resort that came recommended by a friend who's a guide in India:
http://ayurvedatravelmall.com/manaltheeramresort.html
It was hugely relaxing, on the water so the constant sound of the waves. The food was good and massages great. I recommend it.
Aug 27th, 2011, 02:44 AM
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www.keralahouseboat.org my fav over Goa unless u like to party
www.indiamike.com for best tips on this
Got discounts of 70% bidding boots on the ground
when I got there careful many online scammers never wire money.
insuremytrip.com careful food water precautions to dodge
"Delhi Belly" always wise for me mdtravelhealth.com India
www.indiamike.com for best tips on this
Got discounts of 70% bidding boots on the ground
when I got there careful many online scammers never wire money.
insuremytrip.com careful food water precautions to dodge
"Delhi Belly" always wise for me mdtravelhealth.com India
Aug 27th, 2011, 12:57 PM
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Hi Bevzy. You should be able to fly from where your tour ends (New Delhi? jaipur?) to Cochin. (I havent seen specific schedules, but expect you'll have to connect via Mumbai or New Delhi).
Haven't been to Goa, so cannot compare, but your idea to visit Kerala is wonderful!
We stayed part of the time at Philipkuttys Farm. Three nights was hardly enough! An amazing place on an island, in the middle of Vembanad lake. You take a rowboat to get there You can do a daytrip houseboat (and many other activities, if so inclined) from there. PK's is not cheap, but included you are fed three wonderful meals, teatime, etc,every day, have a sunset ride on the lake, the cottages are gorgeous, the hostess owner is a delight, and this would give you marvelous relaxing place to stay at the end of your trip.
Haven't been to Goa, so cannot compare, but your idea to visit Kerala is wonderful!
We stayed part of the time at Philipkuttys Farm. Three nights was hardly enough! An amazing place on an island, in the middle of Vembanad lake. You take a rowboat to get there You can do a daytrip houseboat (and many other activities, if so inclined) from there. PK's is not cheap, but included you are fed three wonderful meals, teatime, etc,every day, have a sunset ride on the lake, the cottages are gorgeous, the hostess owner is a delight, and this would give you marvelous relaxing place to stay at the end of your trip.
Aug 27th, 2011, 07:01 PM
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so how long from cochin to say philipkuttys and do we book all time there if we have approx 5-6 days or leave time for houseboat. I have done very little research-had better go buy a guide book-not easy not having been.Sorry!Getting stressed.
Aug 27th, 2011, 08:02 PM
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You should buy a guidebook and/or do more online research before deciding anything.
Or just start on Fodors.com (not this forum) and search"Kerala" for some basic info.
As for Phillipkutty's in particular, we stayed first near Cochin for a couple days, but some folks there arrived straight from the Cochin airport (which i'd guess is about 1.65 hour drive)
If you decide on Kerala rather than Goa, do you want to spend the entire 5-6 days in one spot?There are other lovely areas of Kerala, such as tea plantations in Munnar the hills. Would that interest you as well?
Or just start on Fodors.com (not this forum) and search"Kerala" for some basic info.
As for Phillipkutty's in particular, we stayed first near Cochin for a couple days, but some folks there arrived straight from the Cochin airport (which i'd guess is about 1.65 hour drive)
If you decide on Kerala rather than Goa, do you want to spend the entire 5-6 days in one spot?There are other lovely areas of Kerala, such as tea plantations in Munnar the hills. Would that interest you as well?
Aug 27th, 2011, 09:37 PM
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Kerala is certainly lovely and and would be a good contrast to Rajasthan where you will be first. But without knowing your actual interests (other than that they don't include beaches), it is harder to advise. If you are interested in history and colonial architecture, then Goa would be an excellent choice, IMO. There is first of all the World Heritage area of Old Goa with about half dozen churches form the Portuguese colonial days of various architectural styles and states of preservation. This area is just fascinating to me, and eminently walkable and doable on your own. The view from the chapel of Our Lady of the Mount is one of my very favourite in Asia: the broad river, lush landscape and the white spires of the churches rising above the palm trees. The Cliffside view from the little Our Lady of the Rosary church is lovely as well, and you get a good view of the active river below you. (Both require some uphill to get to, but the views reward you.)
That are would take one full day, and you could do it on a slower pace over two.
Then there are the preserved old town areas of Panjim, worth a stroll for several hours or more. And then they are some colonial mansion/museums a few hours drive from Goa. There are several forts in the area, like Tiraco.
The countryside also lovely, rolling green hills, dotted with churches and Hindu temples – always a contrast I find interesting..
If you are there on a Wednesday, there is a huge and very good flea and crafts market in Anjuna.
And of course fantastic food, a mix of Portuguese and Indian. The lively Calangute area is a good place to try different restaurants (and some good places to listen to jazz, try Cavala Restaurant Baga/Calangute).
And we have not even mentioned the beaches yet….
While Goa in the winter months can be congested in areas, I believe you could find opportunities for quiet. Staying in Panjim or that area and away from beach areas might be one way. (IMO the Marrott is a good choice as it has a nice spot on the river, just at the head of a beach, and is walkable or a short ride to Panjim and the Old Goa church area).
The Panjim Inn see http://www.panjiminn.com/cc located in the heart of the old town, simple yet comfortable and lots of colonial charm.cc The owner’s son and a local historiran named Heta Pandit of the Heritage Network) offer very nice free walking tours of the old town, contact [email protected] (tel. 98-2212-8022; www.heritagenetworkindia.com).
A somewhat modest but quite comfortable hotel off the beach is the Fortune Select Regina in Candolim, North Goa. This is in the midst of a village area, including farmer’s fields, and should be quiet in the high season compared to the Calangute area (yet it is not too far a drive to that area). See http://www.fortunehotels.in/resort/G...ct_Regina.aspx. I would go for one of their uites which are decorated in Portuguese colonial style.
But there would be other choices too. A very useful website for hotels in India is http://sawdays.co.uk/, click on the book for India. You can also buy the book, <i>Special Places to Stay India</i>, but the website will give you a very long list of hotels to start with.
Renting a flat in Goa would be more possible than other areas, as quite a good number of Europeans have apartments there which they let on a short-term basis. Vrbo.com or holiday let sites may be helpful for that.
Kerala has churches too, but more spread out than the concentration of fantastic churches in the historic quarter or old Goa where you can see several centuries on foot in a few hours. Kerala would offer the opportunity to go to Periyar national park for wildlife viewing which would be a nice side trip.
That are would take one full day, and you could do it on a slower pace over two.
Then there are the preserved old town areas of Panjim, worth a stroll for several hours or more. And then they are some colonial mansion/museums a few hours drive from Goa. There are several forts in the area, like Tiraco.
The countryside also lovely, rolling green hills, dotted with churches and Hindu temples – always a contrast I find interesting..
If you are there on a Wednesday, there is a huge and very good flea and crafts market in Anjuna.
And of course fantastic food, a mix of Portuguese and Indian. The lively Calangute area is a good place to try different restaurants (and some good places to listen to jazz, try Cavala Restaurant Baga/Calangute).
And we have not even mentioned the beaches yet….
While Goa in the winter months can be congested in areas, I believe you could find opportunities for quiet. Staying in Panjim or that area and away from beach areas might be one way. (IMO the Marrott is a good choice as it has a nice spot on the river, just at the head of a beach, and is walkable or a short ride to Panjim and the Old Goa church area).
The Panjim Inn see http://www.panjiminn.com/cc located in the heart of the old town, simple yet comfortable and lots of colonial charm.cc The owner’s son and a local historiran named Heta Pandit of the Heritage Network) offer very nice free walking tours of the old town, contact [email protected] (tel. 98-2212-8022; www.heritagenetworkindia.com).
A somewhat modest but quite comfortable hotel off the beach is the Fortune Select Regina in Candolim, North Goa. This is in the midst of a village area, including farmer’s fields, and should be quiet in the high season compared to the Calangute area (yet it is not too far a drive to that area). See http://www.fortunehotels.in/resort/G...ct_Regina.aspx. I would go for one of their uites which are decorated in Portuguese colonial style.
But there would be other choices too. A very useful website for hotels in India is http://sawdays.co.uk/, click on the book for India. You can also buy the book, <i>Special Places to Stay India</i>, but the website will give you a very long list of hotels to start with.
Renting a flat in Goa would be more possible than other areas, as quite a good number of Europeans have apartments there which they let on a short-term basis. Vrbo.com or holiday let sites may be helpful for that.
Kerala has churches too, but more spread out than the concentration of fantastic churches in the historic quarter or old Goa where you can see several centuries on foot in a few hours. Kerala would offer the opportunity to go to Periyar national park for wildlife viewing which would be a nice side trip.
Aug 28th, 2011, 06:15 AM
#9
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ok-back to goa thoughts having rejected that! am wondering if a lot more expensive to get to kerala and a long way for just 5 days but I see Lonely Planet-(just got one)-suggest that itinerary.decisions... Much appreciate input from everyone.
Aug 29th, 2011, 07:37 PM
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have decided on Kerala=so-can I ask Calinurse-if we spend 2 days kochi, 1 at homestay and 1 on houseboat then 1 back to kochi to leave could you recommend accommodation for me. The philipkuttys sounds lovely.Its hard choosing on lonely planet-have been disappointed before so if you have good place in kochi and where best to stay. I like interesting character not super luxury.
Aug 29th, 2011, 08:13 PM
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I stayed for a while at the Chiramel Homestay Guesthouse in Fort Cochin (Kochi) and liked it very much. It's walking distance to shopping and restaurants and is in a delightful area. The house is interesting, it's a family-run business and moderately priced with a variety of rooms.
http://chiramelhomestay.com/index.html
http://chiramelhomestay.com/index.html
Sep 1st, 2011, 08:52 PM
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Just went to travel agent to book intrepid tour and she said they cannot guarantee it will happen so we could be stuck having paid all fares maybe having to change them which we cannot do with tight time frame.
Cannot believe they can operate like this. Have no idea what to do now.
Cannot believe they can operate like this. Have no idea what to do now.
Sep 2nd, 2011, 05:58 AM
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I think you should just go. India is a wonderful country in which to travel independently, you'll have the advantage of going where the spirit moves you if you choose to deviate from plans and you'll have a wonderful time! You could also contact an Indian travel agent and book a private tour which I'll bet will cost no more than going with a group. I used Indian Moments on my first trip to India and they did a beautiful job, even accommodating a couple of changes that I requested along the way.
http://www.indianmoments.com/home.asp
http://www.indianmoments.com/home.asp
Sep 2nd, 2011, 10:40 PM
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I also think you should do this on your own. You really do not need to be on a tour to see India. English is widely and well-spoken, websites abound for research and booking flghts, hotels, trains, etc. You can hire a car and driver for short distances and use trains and planes for longer ones. So much nicer than a tour bus. And no forced shopping stops or meals at medicore tourist restaurants. You can use the Intrepid itin as a start, and then add or subtract from it as you please.
Sep 3rd, 2011, 01:48 AM
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Bevzy, is a difference betweeen a "group tour" and a trip a you plan to YOUR needs, with an Indian tour planner. As Joannay said, it will cost not more than going with a group!So dont give up, just becuase of what the local travel agent said about Intrepd.
Joannay mentined Indianmoments; I used Indianpanorama.in. Others are mentioned by Forum users.
I do not recommend the place we stayed for two night near Cochin: It is Graman Homestay ,was expensive for waht it was, and is too far from Fort Cochin. (INcidentallhy, wei chose this on my own--unforutantely had not asked Faith at Indianpanorama where she wou;d recommend). I'd chose a place IN Fort COchin next time (such as Charmel, mentinoed by Joanney)
Anotehr popular one I've heard great things about, is Reds Homestay, or Noahs Ark. Do check out tripadvisor reviews for Cochin Bed and Breakfasts. Many of these homestays can help you plan a 2-3 ay trip outside Cochin, may know someone with houseboat, or can arrange taxi for trip to other area in Kerala (I know tat Reds' owners can do that).
What is your budget? there are also some fantastic hotel in Ft Cochin, but they are not bargain-priced!
Bevzy,i dont totallyunderstand your itinerary.. Sound sliek you mean 3 total nights in Cochin, the one night homestay (in a different area) then 1 might houseobat?
a big NO to the 3 nights total in Cochin--better off to spend less time there, more outside , a, or even a "circuit " round nearby areas of Kerala (Munnar, or kumarokom area) which can be arranged for you by one of the homestay owners, if you have not already booked it for yourself or with INdian travel agent.
Joannay mentined Indianmoments; I used Indianpanorama.in. Others are mentioned by Forum users.
I do not recommend the place we stayed for two night near Cochin: It is Graman Homestay ,was expensive for waht it was, and is too far from Fort Cochin. (INcidentallhy, wei chose this on my own--unforutantely had not asked Faith at Indianpanorama where she wou;d recommend). I'd chose a place IN Fort COchin next time (such as Charmel, mentinoed by Joanney)
Anotehr popular one I've heard great things about, is Reds Homestay, or Noahs Ark. Do check out tripadvisor reviews for Cochin Bed and Breakfasts. Many of these homestays can help you plan a 2-3 ay trip outside Cochin, may know someone with houseboat, or can arrange taxi for trip to other area in Kerala (I know tat Reds' owners can do that).
What is your budget? there are also some fantastic hotel in Ft Cochin, but they are not bargain-priced!
Bevzy,i dont totallyunderstand your itinerary.. Sound sliek you mean 3 total nights in Cochin, the one night homestay (in a different area) then 1 might houseobat?
a big NO to the 3 nights total in Cochin--better off to spend less time there, more outside , a, or even a "circuit " round nearby areas of Kerala (Munnar, or kumarokom area) which can be arranged for you by one of the homestay owners, if you have not already booked it for yourself or with INdian travel agent.
Sep 3rd, 2011, 02:02 AM
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Bevzy, i hope this helps too:
http://www.keralatourism.org/
It's the Kerala State Tourism Development office. lots of ideas. I love reading the "message board" and its responses--different tour planners giving ideas and competing for business!
http://www.keralatourism.org/
It's the Kerala State Tourism Development office. lots of ideas. I love reading the "message board" and its responses--different tour planners giving ideas and competing for business!
