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.

 
 
 

Expert's top pick - Hotels in Goa

Updated on May 13, 2024 by Ella Brundle

Blog > Expert's top pick - Hotels in Goa

After a recent educational trip to Goa, our team have refreshed their expert knowledge on our property collection, and they have come home with a few favourites to share with us!

At Goa Experience we have some fantastic hotels to choose from, whether you are looking for all-inclusive luxury or family-run comfort, there is a property for everyone.  

First up we have The St Regis Goa Resort, a favourite of Tawni’s, from our sales team. This deluxe, 5-star hotel sits within our luxury collection. Located in Mobor, South Goa, the St Regis offers guests exceptional service and fine dining. Boasting 49 acres of immaculate grounds, water lily-filled lagoons and tropical green gardens, there is a calming ambience throughout the hotel.  

Tranquil lagoons at The St Regis Resort Goa.

Tawni says “From the moment we walked in, the décor, the service and the atmosphere of the hotel was out of this world! We were welcomed with a coconut drink, a hot towel and handmade gifts. The St Regis lived up to its name as the most luxurious hotel in Goa.” 

The 12-hole golf course adds an element of fun to the hotel and the white sandy beach is a beautiful spot for an evening stroll. Each room combines elegance and luxury, with modern comforts and stunning views. 

The 12-hole golf course at The St Regis Goa.

Luxurious and well-furnished rooms at The St Regis Goa.

Moving slightly further north, Anna, also in our sales team, fell in love with Alila Diwa Goa. 5-star luxury nestled in lush green palm trees and rice paddies. “As you walk into the reception of Alila Diwa, you get the sense of a serene and calm atmosphere. The infinity pool is stunning, with gorgeous views overlooking the rice paddies and lush coconut groves. The pool bar has a beautiful seating area both inside and out, it is a great spot for a pre-dinner drink whilst watching the sunset.” 

Infinity pool at Alila Diwa.

Alila Diwa offers a one-of-a-kind holiday experience, taking its influence from Indonesian architecture, guests will enjoy high ceilings, open-air courtyards and water features. The experiential dining is not to be missed... “We ate lunch in the VIVO Restaurant, the service was impeccable and the food, particularly the Red Snapper fish, was so fresh and tasty!” Anna recalls. There is an extensive range of fine dining options at the hotel, such as the Spice Studio, where guests can discover authentic Goan dishes. The hotel’s chef also offers cookery masterclasses, so it is the ideal hotel for foodies to soak up everything taste-based! 

VIVO Restaurant at Alila Diwa.

The beach is just 500m away and the town of Majorda offers a peaceful getaway, whilst the neighbouring town of Colva is lively and energetic, allowing you to take your holiday at the pace you want. “This hotel is great for couples and groups of friends and caters to families.” 

Ellie, from the marketing team, fell in love with the charm of the boutique hotel, Ahilya By The Sea. Sitting within our luxury collection, this hotel boasts beautiful sea views, a welcoming infinity pool and spacious rooms. 

Sunrise infinity pool at Ahliya by the Sea.

The colonial-style buildings create a lovely charm packed with character. The 10 authentic rooms are spread across the hotel grounds, providing a tranquil atmosphere combined with a boutique hotel's intimacy. The quiet corner of Dolphin Bay, where the hotel is located, is a popular landing spot for local fisherman bringing in their catch of the day. The beach is just 100m away, as well as restaurants and shops in nearby Candolim, however, there is also an on-site restaurant with a menu offering elements of Goan, Italian and French cuisines. 

To find out more about a package holiday to Goa and our other hotels within our collection, follow this link. 

 

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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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