Here is something a bit different in South Goa. Our first floor apartment is in a private house in a quiet residential area of Benaulim overlooking a superb view of paddy fields and palm plantations. It is ideal for those who do not want the usual busy holiday complex with pool and so it is perhaps more suited to the maturer visitor... but of course families with children are more than welcome. It is 5 minutes by tuk-tuk (10 minutes by bicycle) from the fabulous Benaulim beach which is itself in the centre of the 13 mile long Queen of Beaches.
There are many excellent beach restaurants at Benaulim beach with every kind of food available at extremely good prices. In Benaulim itself there are also a number of excellent well-priced restaurants.
The apartment is beautifully furnished with fans in every room and A/C and European style sprung mattresses in both bedrooms. The main bedroom has a King size double bed and the second bedroom has two single beds. There is also a camp bed available with bedding for a possible fifth visitor. We use this spacious apartment ourselves as a home from home for 2 months of the year and so all mod cons are there. Included in these are a washing machine, drying rack, all towels and linen, hob, microwave, large fridge/freezer, Sky TV, DVD player, large free-standing fan, iron and ironing board etc.
One of the most attractive features of the property is the full property length balcony accessed either from the main bedroom, the kitchen or the living room via big French windows. The second bedroom has its own private balcony and there is also a front terrace. From the main balcony there is a superb peaceful 180 degree view from which one can watch the amazing birdlife, water buffalo etc.
On the very sunny roof terrace we have two quality cushioned sunbeds and umbrellas. Also included in the overall price is collection from the airport, use of an Indian pay-as-you-go mobile phone (with far cheaper calls overseas than your own mobile) and a welcome pack of basic food, water and beer in the fridge to get you started. There are two bicycles downstairs should you feel so inspired, as the roads in the area are flat.
The property's owner, a lovely lady, lives on the ground floor and is available to assist at any time if necessary. For a two week stay or more, the apartment would be cleaned and mopped through on a weekly basis. This is included in the cost.
If you are not familiar with Goa, Benaulim is situated centrally in what we feel is the best (for many reasons) part of South Goa which is itself far nicer than the North which is very much more commercialised and more expensive for everything... so if you do fancy Goa then you genuinely could not do much better. It is about 30 minutes from the airport.
PLEASE NOTE: COLLECTION FROM THE AIRPORT IS AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE IF WANTED.
Margao, the main city of South Goa, is 15 minutes away by tuk-tuk if you need something that is not available locally and/or want to experience the delightful chaos of an Indian city! It is well worth a visit.
From the UK, Goa itself can be accessed by daily scheduled flights from Heathrow via Mumbai. This is the cheapest way. Direct charter flights into Goa are also possible between the beginning of November to mid April from Manchester and Gatwick. Please note that for charter flights you had best get seats booked early as there are only a limited number of flights per week and they tend to get booked up fairly quickly with regular ‘Goa Goers’.
So if you fancy an apartment in South Goa different from those usually being offered you will not go wrong with ours.
