Breakfast: Head to Hotel Fidalgo on 18 June Road in Panjim and choose from over six restaurants, each serving different cuisines ranging from Indian, Goan, Gujarati to continental. For staunch vegetarians, the hotel also offers a pure vegetarian restaurant. So dig in and enjoy a hearty breakfast right in the heart of the city. Morning: Take a ride towards Miramar, one of the most visited beaches of Goa, and soak in the sun, sand and beach. A popular tourist destination, Miramar is a small beach that occasionally hosts some great events. Originally named Porta de Gaspar Dias by the Portuguese, the name was then changed to Miramar.
Visit the quaint Café Coffee Day that is right across the street for a steaming cuppa. Once you have had that caffeine boost, head to Fontainhas (or Bairro das Fontainhas, in Portuguese) which is an old Latin Quarter in the city of Panjim. It maintains to this day its Portuguese influence, namely at the architectonic level, such as narrow streets, old villas and buildings painted in lively colors. The quarter shows how Panjim was during the Portuguese rule of Goa.
Lunch: After a tiring walk through Fontainhas, walk into Mum's Kitchen for an appetising traditional Goan meal. The secrets of this cuisine are held by the dear mothers of Goa. Customarily, all the family recipes and the fine art of cooking were imparted within the family, in form of direct teaching. They realised that the only way to prepare bona fide Goan food is to learn directly from these gifted mothers. That is why they have established themselves as the only incontrovertible 'Mum's Kitchen' in Goa. The complexities of preparing Goan food and the usage of traditional methods, which was cooking and serving in earthen-ware, are implemented for some of the signature dishes, as well as modern techniques.
Afternoon: Take a ride down to Kala Academy and enjoy the art galleries and the beautiful paintings by several Goan artists. You can also take a stroll around the back end of the building and revel in the breathtaking view of the river. With a lighthouse on one end and rocks on the other, it looks like a scene straight out an Enid Blyton novel.
Evening: Ride off to Sunaparanta at Althino and enjoy the exhibition fares and movie screenings. Then head back to the city for a cruise in Panjim's very own Santa Monica, where you can witness traditional Goan dance. Indulge in a delicious Goan dinner at Ritz Classic, Panjim and spend the rest of your night sleeping like a baby. -
