Day 19: Goa
The day begins with a drive inland from South Goa toward the spice-growing belt. The road passes small villages, paddy fields, and clusters of coconut palms; wayside shrines and local tea stalls dot the route and give a clear sense of daily life beyond the beaches.
Spice Plantation with Naturalist Walk
On arrival at the plantation, access is via a gently swaying suspension bridge over a broad, still pond. Trees and foliage encircle the water, and the main plantation buildings sit just beyond the far bank. The short crossing is part of the experience: reflections of palms, flowering shrubs, and the wooden walkway itself shimmer on the surface below.
A resident naturalist then leads a walking tour through the estate. Pepper vines climb host trees, cardamom plants grow in the shade, and nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, cacao, and other crops are identified in situ. Along the way, there is clear explanation of cultivation methods, harvesting, drying, and how these spices and herbs are used in regional kitchens and traditional remedies. Questions are encouraged, and it is easy to connect what is seen growing with familiar aromas and flavors from meals elsewhere on the journey.
A buffet lunch is served at the plantation.
Old Goa – Convents and Churches (UWHS)
From the plantation, the drive continues to Old Goa, once the capital of Portuguese India and still marked by its dense cluster of churches and convents. The focus is on the UNESCO-listed ensemble:
- Basilica of Bom Jesus, where the baroque interior, side chapels, and relics illustrate the reach of Iberian Catholicism in Asia.
- Se Cathedral, with its broad façade, long nave, and chapels that show the gradual layering of history and patronage.
Depending on time and interest, additional nearby churches or convent buildings can be included. The guide provides context on how this small area functioned as the ecclesiastical center of a vast colonial network, and how the remaining structures reveal that past in their stones, artworks, and layout.
Fontainhas Heritage Quarter
Driving back toward Panjim, the final stop is Fontainhas, the old Latin Quarter. Here the streets narrow and climb gently, flanked by tightly packed houses with tiled roofs, wooden shutters, and balconies edged with wrought iron. Exteriors are painted in ochre, indigo, white, and soft pastels; small roadside shrines, corner chapels, and occasional wall niches add to the sense of a lived-in historic neighborhood.
The walk is unhurried and tailored to interest, with pauses at notable homes, local cafés, or small galleries if desired. Signage, street names, and architectural details reflect layers of Portuguese-era influence and contemporary Goan life existing side by side.
Return to South Goa
After the Fontainhas walk, the vehicle and chauffeur are waiting nearby for the drive back to the South Goa beach resort. Arrival is in the late afternoon or early evening, depending on the pace of touring.
(Overnight – Taj Exotica Goa)
