The Goa Experience continues to grow its dedicated collection of holidays, excursions and tours to the popular Indian state. Since the launch of the new travel brand last year the company has further enhanced its programme to include four new properties, adding to wide ranging choices across its Luxury, Mid-Range, Unique and Value accommodation collections.

Featuring beautifully converted Portuguese heritage homes in prime locations, affordable hotels right on the beach, character boutique hotels and luxury or rustic hideaways in the Goan jungle, many properties are exclusive to The Goa Experience and have been chosen for their authenticity and individuality and ability to provide its customers with real insight into Goan hospitality and culture.

While many holiday makers visit Goa to simply relax in the sunshine, there is much to explore beyond the beach and The Goa Experience is offering a wide variety of tours along with greater flexibility for bespoke packages. These include houseboat cruises, spice plantation tours, visits to archaeological sites and historic towns. A further two itineraries are offered this winter entitled “Beyond the Beach” and “North & South” plus an excursion to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hampi. 

Highlights from The Goa Experience 2016/17 holiday collection include:

Four new properties – :
• Santana Beach Resort, Candolim, North Goa ( Grade 2.5): A simple, family-run hotel with a sought-after beach front location on the golden sands of Candolim beach.
14 nights are priced from £749pp and include B&B, flights and shared airport transfers.

• Panjim Inn, Panjim, Central Goa (Grade - Unique): A unique heritage home property set in the heart of Fontainhas in Goa's Latin Quarter, all 24 guestrooms differ in size and style. This hotel is ideal for two or three night stays.
3 night add on stays are from £93pp, excluding flights and airport transfers.

• Golden Sands Apartments, Betalbatim, South Goa (Grade 3): Charming self-catering apartments set in the peaceful village of Betalbatim in south Goa.
14 nights self catering are priced from £969pp flights and shared airport transfers.

• Alila Diwa, Majorda, South Goa (Grade 5 Grade Deluxe) : This luxury hotel is surrounded by coconut groves and rice paddies and is just 600m from the white sands of Majorda beach. A wide range of facilities and activities are on offer including cookery courses and dine in the dark evenings.
14 nights are priced from £1429pp and include B&B, flights and private airport transfers.

Pre-packaged and tailor-made itineraries – designed to showcase Goa's adventure, beach, cultural and wildlife experiences The Goa Experience's suggested themes include:
• discovering the real Goa – its famed architecture, spice plantations, markets, ancient fishing villages and houseboat river cruises.
• discovering Goan cuisine – sampling traditional dishes as well as modern fusion cooking visiting some of Goa's best fine dining restaurants including the recently opened restaurant at Acron Waterfront Resort run by celebrity chef Cyrus Todiwala.
• spa and health tours incorporating ancient Ayurvedic and yogic healing traditions which integrate mystical traditions and philosophies of old world India, as well as modern spa treatments.

Two new itineraries:
• North & South – a 14nt itinerary providing opportunity to combine the vibrant north and the laid –back south of Goa staying at the 5 Grade Deluxe Taj Exotica and 5 Grade Vivanta by Taj Holiday Village where guests can experience top class facilities plus some of Goa's most beautiful beaches – Benaulim, Varca and Palolem in the south and Candolim in the north. Pricing: From £2099pp including flights and transfers.
• Beyond the Beach - this new 14nt itinerary has been designed to give opportunity to experience some of Goa's wildlife, culture and heritage away from the coastline and incorporates stays at a 5 grade Deluxe hotel, converted heritage home, boutique hotel plus a night in a quirky jungle lodge. Pricing from £1349pp including flights and airport transfers.

New 2nt excursion: Hampi by Road:
• 'Hampi by road' is a new, two night excursion which explores one of India's most fascinating archaeological sites - Hampi. Travelling by road through the Western Ghats and on towards the Deccan plateau, this private excursion allows guests to discover this stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site at their own pace. With their own private guide, they can explore the famous ruins including the Vittala Temple, Virupaksha Temple, Lotus Temple and Queen Baths.
URL: https://www.goaexperience.co.uk/holiday-ideas/india-tours/discover-hampi
Pricing: Two night add on tour from £259pp

Flights
• The Goa Experience offers direct flights from November until April departing from Gatwick and Manchester along with Premium Class options and its exclusive UK lounge service.

Winter lead-in price
• The Santana Beach Resort – 14nts B&B from £749pp which includes flights with in-flight meals, transfers, a free destination guide and the services of an experienced resort team.
This small and friendly family-run hotel in Candolim enjoys an excellent location, being right on the beach and is just a short stroll from the centre of Candolim where there is a wide range of restaurants, bars and shops.

Tel: 01489 866 986 or visit www.goaexperience.co.uk 

ENDS

PRESS INFORMATION:
The Goa Experience is a trade name of Serenity Holidays Ltd, an independent and fully bonded tour operator under ATOL1866 and a member of ABTA, ABTOT, AITO and IATA.
Serenity's products include: The Gambia Experience, The Senegal Experience, The Cape Verde Experience, Corsican Places, Sardinian Places and Sicilian Places.

For further information, images and press trip enquiries please contact Louise Thomas or Stacey Parsons - tel: 01489 866963, or email: press-office@serenityholidays.co.uk