My wife and I are planning to take the OAT (Overseas Adventure Travel) small group trip to Southern India in December. http://www.oattravel.com/Trips/2012/Soul-of-India-The-Colorful-South-2012/Trip-and-Air-Details/Itinerary/Chennai-to-Bangalore.aspx#top This trip includes Chennai, Mahabalipuram, Pondicherry, Tanjore, Madurai, Periyar, Cochin, Mysore, and Bangalore, and takes about 16 days.
They offer an add-on with about 2 days in Goa and 2 days in Mumbai. http://www.oattravel.com/Trips/2012/Soul-of-India-The-Colorful-South-2012/Trip-and-Air-Details/Extensions/Post-Trip%20Extensions/Goa-and-Mumbai.aspx#tripNav
Everyone I have spoken with is enthusiastic about the main trip and itinerary, but I am getting mixed comments about whether or not to include Goa and Mumbai. Any thoughts?
Thanks very much,
Len
Should we include Goa and Mumbai in our OAT trip?
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As a Bombay boy, I can say my city is definitely worth a short visit, because it has a "buzz" (rather like NYC) and also a colonial feel to it since the British had a major base here. But make sure the hotel is located in town i.e. in South Bombay, not near the airport.
As for Goa, that too is special because of its mixture of Portuguese and Hindu culture....and here again, the location of the hotel is VERY important. South Goa has lovely beaches but is just too far from everything of interest!
Thanks very much, bombayteddy. Unfortunately, we won't have any choice in the hotels.
I suspect the location of the hotel in Mumbai may be too far north--it is the Novotel Juhu Beach, Balraj Sahani Marg.
The hotel in Goa is the Citrus Goa Hotel, Umtavaddo, Calangute.
What do you think about these locations?
Thanks,
Len
Dear Len,
The Novotel isnt bad and has a lovely beachfront location....but its quite far from the city, an hour's drive away. But if you have a day to sight-see and shop, its quite do-able. Great if that day is a Sunday, otherwise traffic into town in the mornings (and returning in the evenings) is a KILLER.
I dont know the Citrus in Goa; but Calangute is quite far North, so sight-seeing again needs a full day.
Hope this helps!
Jiten.
Why don't you do Goa and Mumbai on your own? By that time you should have enough familiarity with India to handle it. Personally I'd spend more time in Goa and less in Mumbai - adding Panjim to a beach trip.
If youre doing Goa and Mumbai on your own, I would suggest the Taj Vivanta Fort Aguada in Goa (ask for a terrace room) which is an iconic hotel, built on the ramparts of a ruined Portuguese fort. And The Trident at Nariman Point, Mumbai, which has a superb location, stunning views and offers very good value-for-money (especially on weekends).
All the best!
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