Karen, easy bit first.
£1000 for two people for two weeks..........ample (unless you are a shopaholic /or want jewellery)
Food prices, I usually budget for an evening meal costing around £20 for two courses for both of us.
We don't try to eat cheap. A bottle of wine can be a bit dear, around £12 but some of it is OK
It can be done cheaper and can be done dearer.
Drinks are cheap, if you stick to local brands of spirits, less than a pound per pint for beer.
Can't exactly say what a g and t costs etc because the bills are never enough to get excited about

Elephants, I guess you mean to go and wash them etc. There are trips offered by the tour companies that go to spice plantations and where there are also elephants, also local trips , but I found that it was best to use a taxi and let the driver take you to one, a lot cheaper than thre Tour ops. A while since we did it but I would think less than £40 for the taxi and admission etc.

Shopping, I am a guy so will leave the ladies to answer that!
I do know SWMBO gets handbags, sandals and jewellery and obviuosley there are dozens of shops selling tourist tat etc.
I have had some nice tailor made shirts from there.

as for hubbies birthday, there are a couple of up market restaurants if you want something special, or,if you use a beach shack on a regular basis a word with them would organise a cake and fireworks etc. In fact any restaurant will do the same for you.

hope this helps............... £1000 should leave enough for a nice piece of jewellery for you !
have a great time and don't be fazed when you come out of the airport, the first 20 mins are the worst everything else is magic

Wow Thank you so much this information is so helpful, We will find our feet first and then do the taxi to Elephants I would love to wash and sit on one I love them My husband is really looking forward to sampling some of the food I'm sure he has his eye on a few places I shall have 10 days until his birthday but wanted to try and make it special as he's wanted to go to Goa for many year the fireworks sound fantastic fingers crossed I can sort something out were not big drinkers but the husband likes a beer I shall stick to local drinks at night if cheaper 12.00 a bottle of wine wow thats alot maybe on the birthday night. I will shop maybe a nice handbag some shoes and a few silver bits for the family thanks again for the info its great that xxx

You will be spoilt for choice with shoes and handbags.
The pavements in goa [where they exist] have to be seen to be beleived, so wearing evening shoes with too much of a heel will at best get ruined and at worst you will end up with a broken ankle

I believe so shame that cause I don't own a pair of flat shoes but I shall invest in some ha are the roads as bad as they say? I'm getting a little bit worried about crossing them I watched that Indian program last week said 125000 killed on roads Yikes!! Its going to be a shock to my system the goa experience lol but I'm sure I will be ok I hope!! xxx

If you enjoy a glass of wine I would recommend getting it in the duty free at your departure airport. The boxes of wine are ideal, and most (if not all) the hotel bars will let you keep it in their fridge at the bar, and you can have a drink at the bar before or after you go out. If you wanted to take bottles it would'nt be a problem to have them with your meal if you ate out as all the restaurants are glad of your custom. I would'nt bother taking spirits in as most of the ones in goa are drinkable (unless your a connoisseur) and to be honest sometimes the mixers are dearer than the spirits .....Keith

Really?? I'm amazed they will let you do that !! It's going to be interesting this Goa holiday. Have you stayed in Calangute before I'm looking at all sorts of restaurant reviews I am still struggling with the price of food but from what I can see there is plenty to choose from I prefer to eat cheap in the day and prob go more upmarket in the evening the hotel Osbourn is B & B But well Im not expecting much thanks Guys! your help is great I love it xxx

Most people tend to eat in the beach shacks during the day, the food is usually good, and fresh.
Re shoes I know what you mean, i still wear shoes with a small kitten heel, never feel dressed up in flip flops. don,t forget the meets on wed's in the carvery, where you can meet up with all the coffe drinkers
Lin

yes do come to the meets at the carvery ,we certainly know how to deal with birthdays etc,and the nice man who does the quiz on thursdays

When he can be bothered to turn up, else it will be the lovely Lady

and to be honest sometimes the mixers are dearer than the spirits .....Keith

Too true - it's not everywhere where you can say, "I'll get the gin - you bring the tonic!" and be on a winner!!

Hi kaz999 personally I would not take my own wine into any bar or restaurant the Goans will probably let you do this but its not fair on the person running the buisness they work during the season to earn money for the year and I dont think its fair to take advantage of anyones good nature.

Hi Kaz
when you get to the osbourne they usualy give you some vouchers to get three free meals per week, each

Really wow I'm impressed Is it nice there? have you stayed there? 3 free meals a week why would they do that ?? xxxx thanks for info

goingtogoa I agree I wont do that anyway I was suprised they would even let you I am on my hollies so I wont care really what it costs tbh lol xxx

Most hotels will give you vouchers for a few free meals a week, its their way of trying to keep you in the hotel, and hopefully spend money at their bar,
Lin

With regards to taking wine with you to Goa, IF people have took wine to a restaurant they have usually ensured the staff/owner were well looked after when it came to tipping them as a way of thanks. Most importantly though its not about the cost of wine in Goa its about the availability of drinkable wine. I dont drink wine myself but in all the years I've been going I've seen more wine bought and thrown away without hardly being touched.There is more imported wines now but you will pay a good few quid for them, we went to a restaurant and I think a £5 bottle (UK price) of wine was about £20. I am sure the wine drinkers on here will be able to give better advice regarding whats o.k to drink and whats not......cheers Keith

kaz make sure you leave room for your clothes if your taking wine with you x

Welcome to HT Geoff999

I presume you are in one of the emergency services?

Graham

Why is my husband sending me messages on here!! I shall not be taking wine Geoffrey dear I need plenty of room for all the beautiful things you are going to buy for your lovely wife and the Diamond ring shall be firmly on my finger xxx