After having a lovely Christmas in Goa in 2009, we decided that as that had been our 9th holiday we would have a break from Goa for a year. We did weaken at the start of the following season, but we couldn't get our usual hotel in the south as J.I.C. had increased the price by around £400 per person. As we loved the hotel and the people, we decided that we wouldn't go after all and would leave it a season.

We booked our holiday about 3 weeks ago and will be going at Christmas again but will be staying at the new hotel that is near our favourite, as again the price was still too high. The hotel where we will be staying isn't on the beach but is new, has good reports and was cheaper than our favourite.

I am really pleased to be returning, although I am not looking forward to the faff and stress of getting our visas and finding somewhere around the Canterbury area where we can get the new sized visa photos.

The Indian economy has high inflation at the moment, it will be interesting to see how that reflects on prices next season.
A large Kingfisher for example will be over R100 in most places by then.
From memory the price has gone from R55 in 2008,R70 in 2009,R90 in 2010.
Goa still offers excellent value when you get there but it's the getting there that is becoming the stumbling block.
cheers Dave

Iaintoweyes glad you will still be coming to see us at one of the meets I suspect you might get a bit bored spending the whole time at Agonda?? just my opinion, i absolutely love Palolem, (not so keen on Agonda) but we go down there for 3/4 days at a time every mth or so and enjoy that loads, but i am always happy to get back to the north

also interesgting this year, we did go and visit friends over from UK who were on holiday at Cavellosim at sao domingos.... but it really really wasnt for us at all...i know we are all different but i could no way spend more than 2 days down there... and the dirt was still there in places just as it is up here... but each to their own...

notice on this thread though that the vast majority are saying YES!! they will be back... of course its lovely here right now, peaceful on the roads in candolim and the beaches are tranquil, no tourists about and not many shacks left ...but its sooo hot and humid!!!
chilly

Hi all...

Yep deffo going make one of the meets as I have changed my plans yet again! Quite a few members have all said that two weeks in the south could be a bit much! Tend to agree!

So after much searching and a recommendation from DaveWales ...I have looked at the Santana Resort near Candolim for the first week and then a week down in Agonda at White Sands. The Santana gets a lot of good reviews and looks good on their website.

So all that sounds just about perfect for me....just got to run it by Mrs Twoeyes!

sounds great!!
chilly

I have to say the other place I intended booking was Sao Domingos. Sounded perfect for me !
After a week to 10 days of peace and tranquillity it's nice to stay in the North for what it has to offer. I dislike Baga and Calangute for the beaches but enjoy the brilliant choice of eating places and even some of the shopping !
Santana Beach is not a 5* luxury hotel but what it does offer is exceptional value. I know "The Preacher " posted it was too quiet for them at that end of Candolim, again it's personal taste. The centre of Candolim is a 20 minute walk by road or the beach. You also have some superb eating places right on the doorstep in Ceceilias and Bomras.
We found that after always staying in Arpora when in the north, the bottom end of Candolim offered something different and has renewed our interest in returning.... but not so soon !
Good luck in your decisions.
cheers Dave

iaiantwoeyes

We stayed at Santana Beach Resort Feb.this year.

As DaveWales says. I did say that the Santana was a little to far out for us, but that was the only drawback for me.
The hotel itself was great,with absolutely spotlessly clean rooms and grounds,the staff from security,roomboys, gardeners,bar/restaurant,and front desk staff always had a smile and word for us.

Also agree with Dave regarding Ceceilias great food and lovely people, didn't get chance to visit Bomras, but thats on our list for next Feb. when we will be staying at JJs nearer to centre of Candolim.

Hope you have a great time (Sure you will)

The Preacher

Thats it.....BOOKED! Well the flights anyway...but its a start.

I haven't told mrs twoeyes as it's her birthday next week and will make a nice surprise for her

So, it's Monarch again (I find them OK and a means to an end and cheaper than anyone else) then one week in The Santana and a week in the south

And we're there for HOLI again....woo hoo!!!! (3rd time )

Chilly....when can I add my name to the meets list?
PS Thanks for Preacher and DaveWales for the hints towards the Santana. Ive found it on Google Earth and I was right next to it in March this year when we walked from there to Baga!!! Our taxi dropped us off at the Calamari Beach shack just behind the Santana. Spooky or what??!!!

Last year I booked accommodation only through the Monarch web site and paid £32 per night ( it had been £28 the day before damn !) but this year I see it was on TravelRepublic's site at less than £26 for the same dates in November.
Incidentally, by booking accommodation seperately we got our rooms without a problem. Quite a few people on a package had been sent to the Highland Beach for half their holiday and they were not very happy.
cheers Dave
PS How much were the Monarch flights ?

Chilly....when can I add my name to the meets list?

i know iaintwoeyes you just wanna be the first ... i guess we can start it anytime now if thats ok with Admin ?? ...
its dead quiet here at the moment ...loving it...empty streets no traffic on the road!!!! bliss
Chilly

i guess we can start it anytime now if thats ok with Admin ??

Go for it

jesus flights for Jan already soo much money for 3 weeks over £700 I must be looking in the wrong places

I know of Kingfisher flights, Jet airways flights and Qatar flights... but not heard of Jesus flights.

After stumping up 650 quid for flights for three weeks in Nov. with Qatar, I think I sbsequently muttered this airlines name audibly. The only thing thatys lessend the pain is the current price !
Alan

Hopefully going back, but First Choice no longer seem to be selling the Holiday Inn which I have already booked with them. Hope this doesn't mean they will cancel us?

I think all the flight prices have increased a lot for next season, I have got flights with Etihad into Mumbai for 512 per person which is the best I could find, will stay in Mumbai overnight before travelling to Goa as we would like to do a little sightseeing there , we then want to get the overnight train to Goa and we will fly back.

Shirley, IMO Getting a flight to Mumbai is not an economic way of getting to Goa unless you particularly want to visit Mumbai.
Hotels there are probably very expensive and the hassle and conditions on the train train has put me off. Internal flights from Mumbai would probably mean you paid as much as having flown direct in the first place, and if you use a different airline you might find luggage weight problems.Hope it works for you ! cheers Dave.

If your going to Goa for less than 2 months Qatar are doing deals at the moment for £523 return from Manchester and Heathrow,but must be booked by the end on May and travel between August and the end of November 2011,is a good deal if your going for this november

I agree Dave, re the Mumbai flights , but we decided to see a bit of Mumbai too as I want to see a bit more of India than just Goa on the next trip, I am currently looking into flights from Goa to Mumbai for the return.....not sure which airline to go for