Wednesday - Siolim Market:
To get the real local flavour of Goa, visit the weekly haat in your neighbourhood and pick up dried red chillies, kokum and other produce directly from the farmers. Each place has its haat on a different day of the week, so do enquire about the one closest to you.

Saturday - Night Market:
One of the most unusual and successful ventures is the Saturday Night Market at Arpora, where vendors from all over India (including Goa) and from different parts of the world gather in a festive atmosphere and sell their wares. Live music and food stalls completes the scene.

Scaramanga boats:
Located at Coco beach, Nerul, the Scaramanga fleet consists of different boats including speed boats and catamarans which you can rent for a sunset or a full moon cruise – or whatever your heart desires. Tel: +91 9560740404

Fontainhas:
The Latin Quarter of Panjim is quaint, pretty and has a European feel to it. Walk around and see the lovely houses. Stop for a bite at Venite or to buy an azujelo from the Goa Velha shop.

Heritage houses:
If you would like to see what an old lived-in Portuguese mansion looks like, you can visit Solar Dos Colaco at Ribander (Tel: +91 9822129133) or the Figueiredo Mansion in Loutolim (0832 2777028). The grand living and dining rooms will transport you to another era – as will the food.

Goa Chitra:
For a deeper understanding of the ethnography of Goa, visit the newly established museum in Benaulim and see how our ancestors lived and the tools and equipment they used in their daily lives. Tel: 0832 6570877

Cabo de Rama Fort:
The ruins of a fort with spectacular views in the far south would be an ideal picnic spot if not for the monkeys. It is said that Rama stopped here after he was exile from Ayodhya. For something closer , with a beautiful view, climb up a slope for about fifteen minutes to reach the ruins of the Chapora fort.

To Party
Shanti – for electronic music – at Mandrem
Mambos – at Baga
Cape Town – at Baga
Cavala - in the monsoon – at Baga