North India Highlights

Flying from Goa to Delhi this two-night, three-day tour includes a train journey to visit the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort plus a guided tour of the sites of India's historic capital city.

 
 
 

Top 5 hotels for a winter escape in Goa

Updated on Dec 21, 2023 by Ella Brundle

Blog > Top 5 hotels for a winter escape in Goa

With so much to see and do in Goa you'll be spoilt for choice, and that's not where it stops! You will also be spoilt for choice with fabulous hotels to stay in. Our experts have selected their top 5.

Whether you are looking for a beach-front hotel, something simple to explore from or a luxurious retreat complete with a spa, there is something for everyone when searching for a hotel in Goa.

 

1. Alila Diwa Goa

Surrounded by rice paddies and coconut groves, this hotel has the perfect tranquil setting and is top-rated as one of the best yoga hotels in the area. Enjoy 2 complimentary yoga sessions during your stay and afterwards soak up the Goan sun next to the infinity pool. For those staying for 10 nights or more, take part in a complimentary cooking class and enjoy the delicious flavours and aromas of Goan spices.

 

2. ITC Grand Goa Resort and Spa

There is no shortage of beachfront hotels in Goa and the ITC Grand Goa Resort and Spa is perfectly located along Arossim Beach, enjoy some winter sun on the fine white sand, with coconut palms providing that perfect tropical feel. Enjoy the many activities available to take part in, indulge in the five on-site restaurants and for the younger travellers, there is a children’s club available, a great hotel for family holidays. Many guests have described the hotel as having a village feel, with a central market square surrounded by restaurants, cafés and bars. Retreat to your room, where you can choose to book garden, sea or lagoon view rooms.

 

3. Ahilya By The Sea

A fantastic boutique property, with 10 tastefully decorated rooms spread across three independent villas. Here the Mandovi River meets the Arabian Sea encapsulating Goan vibes, and helping you to immerse yourself in this wonderful Indian state. Soak up the unique character along the sun terrace, and enjoy the two swimming pools and the à la carte restaurant for which this property is best known. Make sure to pay a visit to Dolphin Bay during your stay, a landing site for local fishermen, which makes for great people-watching to while away a few hours in the Goan sun!

 

4. Santana Beach Resort

Set within Candolim, Santana Beach Resort is a wonderful family-run, classic Goan hotel that sells out very quickly! The hotel enjoys direct access to the beach and is within walking distance of many shops and restaurants in the town (take a look at our experts’ pick of the top 10 restaurants in the area here). Experience the Candolim market and enjoy the history of Fort Aguada, for something a little further afield discover the town of Old Goa, just 30 minutes away.

 

5. Sao Domingo’s

This small, family-run hotel offers a simple setting to enjoy this area of Southern Goa, being in the sought-after location of Cavelossim. The simple rooms provide the perfect respite for a night, to prepare you for plenty of sightseeing the next day or take a break from the sights and sounds of India and enjoy the palm-tree-shrouded swimming pool – a chance to soak up the Goan sunshine. 

 

 Book your stay today to experience the best of Goa's hotels!

 

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Day 1: Departing Goa for Delhi our representative will meet you in the arrivals area of the airport. They will assist with your private transfer to your Delhi hotel which will be your base for two nights.

Day 2: This morning, you will depart Delhi railway staion to Agra. Once a small village on the banks of the Yamuna, it was transformed by two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and his grandson Shah Jehan into the second capital of the Mughal Empire, Dar-ul-Khilafat, or ‘seat of the Emperor’ in the 16th and 17th century.

Taj Mahal

When you arrive in Agra you will be met by our representative who will introduce you to your guide who will take you to Taj Mahal (closed on Fridays). On the inner walls, jewel-like stones create beautiful designs in white marble. The Mughals perfected the art of embedding semi-precious stones into marble and the Taj is the finest example of this special process called pietra dura. It begins with a marble plate, varying in size. Then jewels are sliced paper thin and embedded in the marble with such precision that the joints are invisible to the naked eye. Continue for a visit to the Agra Fort, a walled city constructed of red stone which was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983. Construction of the fort was originally started by Emperor Akbar in 1565, but his son, Jahangir, and grandson, Shah Jahan, later made valuable additions to it.

You will also visit Itmad ud Daula, also known as Baby Taj. This tomb was built in 1622 for Ghiyas Beg, father of Empress Noor-Jahan, the wife of Emperor Jahangir. It is beautifully conceived in white marble, mosaic and lattice and set a precedent as the first Mughal building to be faced with white marble inlaid with contrasting stones.

Later, you will be driven back to Agra Cantt railway station, where you will board your train back to Delhi.

Day 3: After breakfast, proceed for the orientation city tour of Old and New Delhi including a visit of the 17th-century Jama Masjid and enjoy a rickshaw ride through the narrow, winding lanes of colourful and bustling Chandni Chowk. Stop in front of the Mughal Empire’s most opulent fort, the Red Fort for a photo opportunity.

Later proceed to New Delhi where you will be taken for a drive past the Presidential Palace, the one-time imperial residence of the British viceroys, the India Gate, a memorial raised in honour of fallen Indian soldiers and a drive along the Rajpath past the Parliament House and secretarial buildings. You will also visit Qutab Minar, the 12th-century tower of victory built by a slave king and prototype of all minars (towers) in India.

After the tour you will be transferred to Delhi Airport to board your short flight back to Goa.

 

Two-night price from £825 per person

  • Prices are based on two people sharing including internal flights and two nights' accommodation on B&B and include transfers.
  • A choice of superior or deluxe accommodation is available.
  • You will be able to book this excursion either in the UK or on arrival / during your holiday to Goa.
  • Operates any day (subject to availability) except for Friday due to closure of the Taj Mahal.
 
Contact Us

Contact Us

For more information about this excursion, please contact our Goa specialists:

01489 866994 | Email Sales

 

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