Goa

The fort at Reis Magos was built in 1551 by Don Alfonso de Noronha, the fifth viceroy, as a second line of defence after the forts at Aguada and Cabo. Reis Magos is a village located on the northern bank of the Mandovi River in Bardez, Goa, opposite to the capital city of Panjim. The fort before housed a prison, which was moved to Mormugao in 1996. This Fort is surrounded by sturdy laterite walls studded with typically Portuguese turrets which were erected in 1551 to protect the narrowest point at the mouth of the Mandovi estuary. It was enlarged subsequently on different occasions and finally re-erected in 1707. 

The center of the hippie scene in the 1960s and 1970s, Calangute is Goa’s most popular beach. Famous in the region as `Queen of the Beaches’, calangute beach boasts through its presence in north-east from state capital Panaji at mere 15 kilometers. It is said that calangute beach goa remains largest one in the northern region. It is packed with sun-bathers, masseurs, hawkers and others during the day. The entire stretch of sand right up to the adjacent Baga Beach is lined with resorts, trinket stalls, bars and beach shacks.

It is 4 km west of Reis Magos and built in 1612 as defense against the Marathas and the Dutch. This is the largest and the best-preserved Portuguese bastion in Goa to control the entry into the river Mandovi and to protect Old Goa from potential enemy attacks. The area around the fort housed a large well and a number of springs that provided fresh drinking water to the voyagers that arrived by ship. in Portuguese `Agua’ means water, thus the fort derived its name `Aguada’ to represent a place where water is accumulated. Some buildings within the fort now house the state prison. The local beach Sinquerim is known for its luxury resorts.

It is now most popular as a haven for backpackers. Located about 18 kms from Panaji and situated in Bardez taluka, the Anjuna Beach is the part of a 30 km extended beach coastline along the west coast of Goa by the Arabian sea. It is better known for its full moon rave parties and sprawling flea market than for its beach. The beach is famous for its stunning natural beauty with swaying palms trees and soft powered white sands. The beach is marked by an unusual rocky formation overlying a cove of white sand and black rock that juts out into the Sea.  Anjuna beach is to the west of the village with lot of restaurants and bars. The beach is adjacent to Chapora fort. The "Albuquerque mansion" located nearby is one of the sight-seeing highlights of this beach. 

The smallest yet most popular sanctuary in Goa, it is located in Ponda Taluka in the northeastern part of the city. Contained in a very small area of just 8 km, the Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary is covered with moist deciduous forest and evergreen vegetation patches. 38 kms from Margao it is the smaller of the three wildlife sanctuaries  and more than a sanctuary, it is an ideal jungle resort, a major attraction for school going children and nature lovers. This little sanctuary proudly houses a Mini Zoo, Deer Safari Park, Botanical Gardens, Rose Garden, Nature Education Centre and Eco-Tourism Cottages within its premises.