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.

 
 
 

Heritage houses reveal Goa's fascinating past

Updated on Oct 29, 2019 by Kathryn Burrington

Blog > Heritage houses reveal Goa's fascinating past

One of the lasting legacies of Goa's colonial past are the magnificent palatial mansions now known as heritage homes.

During Portuguese rule wealthy Goan merchants and high ranking officials built magnificent residential houses on land granted to them by the Portuguese. The design of these homes was inspired by European architectural styles, using local materials such as red literate stone and terracotta roof tiles from Mangalore in neighbouring Karnataka. The furnishings and decorations came from all around the world - mirrors from Venice, Chandeliers from Belgium, porcelain from China and tapestries from Portugal, while the rosewood furniture was exquisitely carved by local craftsmen.

Many of these homes are still occupied by the ancestors of the original owners and some can be visited by appointment only. Others have been transformed into wonderful boutique hotels and one is now a museum.
 

Heritage Goa Excursion

This fascinating tour explores Goa's colonial past visiting museums, mansions and churches including the heritage home, Menezes Braganza Pereira house, in the village of Chandor. This 350-year-old mansion is now home to a fabulous museum of chandeliers, paintings, porcelain and period furniture. Another stop is to see the 213-year-old Palace in Quepem, built by a Portuguese noble man, the founder of Quepem town. Surrounded by lush exotic gardens, the house itself is a wonderful mix of both Hindu and Portuguese architectural styles.

Visit our website for more on this and other excursions in Goa.
 

Heritage Home Hotels


The Postcard Moira, North Goa

Situated a 30-minute drive from Baga beach, The Postcard Moira offers a tranquil retreat from Goa’s coastline. This beautifully restored ancestral home has been decorated with a mix of traditional colonial furnishings and white-washed, modern touches. Plus, with only nine rooms in the whole hotel, you can rest assured you’ll get a good night’s sleep.

Discover more about The Postcard Moira.

The Postcard Cuelim, South Goa

Located in the quiet village of Cuelim, this hotel provides a peaceful escape in the region of South Goa. Holding onto its traditional Goan roots, this historic, boutique hotel is home to eight beautifully authentic rooms overlooking 3500 acres of lush green paddy fields. At the centre of the property, a 350 year-old chapel from which the hotel takes on its historical significance. 

Discover more about The Postcard Cuelim.

Panjim Inn, Central Goa

Panjim Inn in the Fontainhas, Latin Quarter of Panjim is a small, family run hotel, recognised as the state’s first classified Heritage Hotel. Furnished in antiques and unique works of art, a stay here will transport you back to Goa’s rich colonial past. Although added modern conveniences such as air-conditioning, WiFi and an outdoor Jacuzzi on the Inn’s top floor, will bring you back to the present day.

Discover more about Panjim Inn.

To find out more about our full range of boutique and unique hotels, click here.

 

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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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