India is not all about The Taj Mahal or Khajuraho or the hill stations like Manali or Simla there is a lot more on offer when one comes to India. Far away from maddening crowds and hot weather of North Indian plains, there is a pearl called Goa. It is famous worldwide for its sandy, exotic blue beaches. Goa has emerged as India's leading leisure destination. This is the smallest state of India where you will realize that skirts and bikinis outnumber saris.

Local people are very co-operative and friendly. The temperature throughout the year remains fairly constant, varying from a maximum of about 29ºC (84ºF) in July to a maximum of 33ºC (91ºF) in May, and minimums for the same months of 24ºC (75ºF) and 26.5ºC (80ºF).

Flights to Goa: There is a constant increase in number of charter flights flying to Goa every year. Majority of tourists come from the UK and Europe. You can fly directly to Goa from the UK. Only charter flight or a package trip including accommodation should be preferred. Such packages also include sight-seeing and you will get to see all the must-see places and sunny beaches of Goa.

Dabolim Airport is Goa's only domestic and international airport. It is just outside Vasco da Gama. Numerous domestic airlines connect Goa to all major Indian cities including New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore etc. Best carriers for domestic flights include Indian Airlines and Jet Airways. New budget airlines such as Kingfisher Airlines, SpiceJet and Indigo are also in the competition to woo tourists. Major international airlines providing flights to Goa are- Air France, Delta Airlines, American Airlines via European Gateways, Continental Airlines via European Gateways and Condor Airlines.

After reaching Goa the best way to get around is to hire a motorcycle or scooter. Do not forget to carry the necessary papers like licence, registration and insurance. Regular taxis and auto rickshaws are another option to take you around.

This is the time of year when a famous Goa festival is approaching- Goan festival of Shigmo. Shigmo is a social and religious festival of Goa. As the whole North India gets a dip into the colorful festival of Holi, Goa plans to launch its own celebration of Shigmo. It is the Goan counterpart of ‘Holi’. It is also called the festival of colors. The biggest attraction of Shigmo is the huge procession that is carried out. People from every caste and religion take part with lot of enthusiasm in this procession.

So it becomes a melting pot of people from all religions, castes including tourists from various parts of the world. Folk dances, music, theatre forms of Goa all are the parts of this festival. The celebrations continue for around 15 days, starting from March 22 to April 5th. Different forms of crafts, arts of the village artisans, various costumes are on display and excitement and celebrations are every where. Many mythological events are depicted in plays along with various local musical instruments, headgears, masks and Goan jewelry. So if you have any plan to visit Goa these days, go for it!

You will submerge in celebrations, festival, colors and parties. Moreover there are many famous beaches like Anjuna beach, Bogmalo beach, colva beach, Dona Paula beach, Velsoa beach etc. But if you want some lonely moments and want to escape from crowds then go to Palolem beach. There are no hotels on Palolem so you will have to sleep in a beach hut. It is the best place if you want to enjoy the simple beach life. Palolem has been listed among the best beaches of world. So do not waste time and fly to Goa- the honeymoon paradise!