Cavala is a lovely small relaxed hotel, restaurant serves wonderful food. But forget it if you don't want English type pubs, Cavala is on the main Baga Road which has it's fair share of English pubs and bars (and more opening this season)!!!
I'd suggest South Goa, I think it sounds more like your cup of tea, esp for a special anniversary.
Hope you enjoy Goa,
Goldenflipflop

I have stayed in both resorts The tamarind was our first visit. It is a lovely guest house but a little out of the way and dare I say the owner is very miserable!!! It might have changed because it was about 10 yrs ago.

We are staying at the Cavala for the second time this year which we love it is small and comfortable and the staff are brilliant, easy access to beach restaurants etc

The Tamarind you would need to rely on taxis there is a courtesy bus to the beach but it only ran once a day and it depended on which beach the owner felt like taking you too, it returned at lunch time so a little bit restricted.

Never stayed in south Goa but I believe it is alot quieter and might suit you better for your wedding anniversary.

Jacqui,

did you do your trips to Cavala DIY or as a package deal? If as a package with whom?

Any one got any info on South Goa?
Some where with local flavour but not too quiet, and easy to arrange excursions from?

What area was the Keith Floyd programmes flimed in, does any one recognise it? It looks lovely.

Thanks

Hi Eljhem,
Cavala is in the travelpack brochure.
Goldenflipflop

ElJhem,

Can't answer the Floyd question but Colva is supposed to be a bit livlier in south Goa.

Jewel in the Crown Brochure give really good descriptions on south goa.

Arl

Hi Eljhem,

Palolem beach in south goa is, in my opinion, a great place to stay. Has the local flavour but still not too quiet. Its about an hour and a half by taxi from the airport. We stayed at the "Cozy Nook" last november which is a clean, comfortable place at the far right end of the beach (when facing the sea) that has regular rooms as well as stilt cottages.
Dont know much about day trips from Palolem, but i'm sure other members on the forum can fill you in on this..
This might suit you for your wedding anniversery. This is where i hope i'll be going for mine.

Cheers

Thanks for the info folks

Still a bit green as far as Goa is concerned so any tips greatfully received.

Does look very beautiful and interesting

Hi we would recomend South Goa for your 25th anniversary we spent ours there and have been every year since as already suggested jewel in the crown is a good brochure and Palolim beach is a beautiful location we went last year for the day and plan to return this year for an overnight stay on the beach in one of the beach huts on stilts , the huts and rooms vary in standard and facilities so if you want to book one get one recomended prices start as low as £6 a night maybe less but check them out I think Palolim Beach is also known as Paradise beach if you visit you'll see why .
happy anniversary Anita and John

I booked the Cavala through Travelpack on a package, however I have a friend who is travelling at the same time as us, but on his own I couldnt get him booked into Cavala through travel pack so have booked flight only and emailed The Cavala direct with no problems so far!!
It has worked out the same price for him as us on the package.

This will be our 10th visit to North Goa and the only Hotel we have ever returned too, we think by far the best we have stayed in, it is very friendly and near to all amenities without being noisy.

If you stay North you always have the option of going to stay South for a couple of days which we have never got round to doing but are definitely going to try this year. We love North Goa so much that I am bothered in case South is not as good when we get there, however never heard any bad reports, I get the impression there is more to do in North Goa.

As regarding booking we always book a package because we have found it the same price, we have used most of the travel companies and again Travel pack have been the best so far.

Thanks everyone for your replies.

Looks like we are spoilt for choice

Probaly stay in Baga or simillar and nip down to Padolem for a couple of days to stay i one of those "beach huts".

Has any one been to Hampi? Is it best to do it as an organised excursion? How far from Baga area is it?

Thanks folks

Hampi is a great place to visit. I'd suggest for your first time it'd be best to book an organised trip. Daytripper offer this as an excursion and I must admit it was worth every rupee.
Hampi is approx 9hrs by train, it's a lovely journey with lots to see on the way.
Hope this is helpful, http://www.daytrippergoa.com
GFF

Just like to say a big thanks to every one you helped us out with this. We are flying out to N Goa on ! Dec, and we decided on the Cavala. Visas sorted, vacinations done, taxi booked just got to pick up travelers cheques and stock up the kitchen for the boys. Maybe we will bump into some of you out there.